M-Net is rejigging V-Entertainment and will bring it back after a month's on-air absence as a once-a-week, Friday-only show on VUZU AMP and also adding a new weekly music show, Massive Music on Fridays on Mzansi Magic.
At the end of June M-Net abruptly ended the weekday entertainment magazine show V-Entertainment on VUZU AMP and Vuzu after 8 years on the air and said the show isn't cancelled but no longer properly speaking to its audience and needs to evolve.
According to M-Net the reworked V-Entertainment on VUZU AMP (DStv 103) will be a "fresher, more insightful and jam-packed production".
Exactly as insiders told TVwithThinus at the end of June, V-Entertainment is returning in August as a once-a-week episode.
Instead of the gaggle of youth presenters, the revamped V-Entertainment will return on 4 August at 19:00 to VUZU AMP and will now be presented by the older-skewing Somizi Mhlongo who is also an Idols judge on sister channel Mzansi Magic.
Somizi Mhlongo will co-present with two of the former V-Entertainment presenters who have been kept on - Nomuzi Mabena and Siyabonga "Scoop"Ngwekazi.
"We've revamped V-Entertainment to bring the viewers the best dose of entertainment news, in a more current version of the popular format," says Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's director of local entertainment channels.
To compete with e.tv's existing Friday evening music show Club 808, on 4 August a new music show, Massive Music, is added to the Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) schedule at 21:30 with presenters Lalla Hirayama and the YFM DJ Smash Africa.
The show will strictly keep to a rule of not doing "inserts" but to let artists speak in as unguarded as possible interviews.
M-Net says Massive Music will offer "artist interviews, captivating studio performances, and a weekly music chart" as a show where viewers will be able to "get the story behind the songs or albums across all genres".
"The show adheres to a strict 'no insert' policy, instead using the time to probe deeper into the artist's psyche for a more meaningful and richer interview experience, as well as allowing more room for top-notch performances."
"Each week will feature a hot seat segment, discussing all things music and creative. Whether you're a jazz junkie, afropop fan, hip hop head, kwaito devotee, or house hound, Massive Music will cater to every music palette."
Reneilwe Sema says the aim is for Massive Music to "appeal to a broader base of music lovers, the content of which is sure to change Friday night viewing for good".
