All TV channels and all programmes on South African television will be considered for the Sony Channel's (DStv 127) first locally produced show, Gogglebox South Africa, that will start on 3 March.
Sony Pictures Television is allaying fears that Gogglebox SA, based on the British series that films ordinary couch potatoes watching television, would miss out on accurately capturing the true South African television zeitgeist by excluding shows on channels from the South African public broadcaster's SABC channels for instance, or broadcasters like e.tv.
Earlier Sony Pictures Television was vague when asked specifically what channels Gogglebox South Africa - which will be seen on the Sony Channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform - would potentially consider and include and if it would include the SABC and e.tv.
Sony Pictures Television says "all channels and all programmes are potential material because Gogglebox is about drawing on the biggest TV moments and watching the nation's response to them".
Sony Pictures Television says "Gogglebox goes into the lounges of some of the country's most avid and opinionated television viewers to watch them discuss, laugh and cry about some of the biggest, current and most talked about television moments in the seven days preceding an episode".
"It captures a cultural response to something that's happening in the world," said Farah Ramzan Golant, format producer from All3Media International.
What it means it that when a big moment happens in Uzalo, The Bold and the Beautiful, Majakathata, Isidingo, WWE wrestling, Selimathunzi, 7de Laan or Scandal! - all the biggest top-rated shows representing tens of millions of viewers on their respective channels - it will be possible for viewers' reactions to those shows to show up in Gogglebox South Africa on the Sony Channel.
"Gogglebox is a fantastic show and we believe that its humour and diversity makes it perfect for South African audiences," says Sonja Underwood, Sony Pictures Television Networks' territory director for Sony's Africa channels.
"It is not your typical television show and we believe our first local production will become a firm viewer favourite."
Gogglebox South Africa will have 10 episodes and is produced by Eject Media's Stephan Le Roux and Picture Tree's Gary King.
"We believe that we have created a show that will create debate among people," says Stephan Le Roux. "Gogglebox South Africa reflects the current state of society and will stimulate viewers to share their opinions and thoughts".