When the cameras roll tomorrow, Tuesday 25 August, the youth focused afternoon programming block Hectic Nine-9 on SABC2 will reach its 2000th episode
Since 2007 Hectic Nine-9, also abbreviated as Hn9, has seen a revolving door of teen presenters come and go as the show grew not just its timeslot ratings but also its timeslot duration to an hour from the beginning of 2012.
As the production changed studios a few times over the past 8 years, incorporated social media and tackled current youth issues, it also incorporated the highly successful and well-liked teen drama mini-series Signal High.
Former Hectic Nine-9 presenter Danilo Acquisto who moved behind the scenes as producer, transitioned earlier this year to SABC3's weekday afternoon variety and talk show Afternoon Express.
The Hectic Nine-9 studio hosted not only local bands and celebrities but saw soccer teams, dance crews, horses, a cheetah and even a 45 member choir visit.
Hectic Nine-9, currently broadcasting Mondays to Fridays at 16:00 on SABC2, is produced by Okuhle Media in Cape Town and is currently being done live daily from MagnaTude Studios in Observatory, sourcing content from all of South Africa's provinces.
"I am incredibly proud of the growth of the show," says executive producer Louise McClelland. "Hectic Nine-9 touches lives every day, in a way we never expected.”
"2000 episodes is a milestone most TV shows only dream of reaching," says Wilna van Schalkwyk, series producer. "What a proud moment to see this incredible show grow into one of the biggest and most successful youth shows produced in South Africa."
"Eight years of Hectic Nine-9 means that a person who started watching the show when they were 12 is now 20 – a significant leap – and our interaction with this viewer shows us a fun, creative, determined and independent thinker who has his or her future firmly in their hands," says Mpumi Ngidi, SABC commissioning editor of the show.
Tuesday's 2000th episode will celebrate the milestone in style on-air with band Freshlyground making an appearance and performing. Hectic Nine-9 will also have fans in the studio.
At the moment Hectic Nine-9 producers are working on a technological treasure hunt celebrating South Africa's diversity. From there the show goes into planning episodes for the upcoming festive season at the end of the year and then brainstorming the new season.
