The SABC is again silent - like July last year when the same thing happened - after the South African public broadcaster yet again botched the start of a new season of the American reality show Survivor distributed by CBS Studios International.
SABC3 originally scheduled Survivor Cambodia - Second Chance, the 31st season of the long-running series, to start in May at the same time as the debut of Survivor South Africa: Philippines on M-Net (DStv 101).
Then SABC3 for unexplained reasons suddenly pulled the show from the line-up and decided to reschedule it to start this week that will see the finale of Survivor SA: Philippines on Thursday night happening as a live broadcast from Silverline Studios in Cape Town.
On Monday night as viewers tuned in for Survivor Cambodia - Second Chance, SABC3 specifically set aside an hour an a half between 19:30 and 21:00 for the longer than usual debut episode of the season.
That followed after SABC3 botched the debut of the previous 30th season, Survivor: Worlds Apart in July 19 when during that start, the public broadcaster only managed to show the first half hour and then cut to commercials and filler.
Before that for the 29th season, SABC3 also messed up the the start of Survivor: San Juan Del Sur in April 2017 when the broadcast playout imploded with unexplained technical problems that caused chaos for the entire rest of the night's SABC3 schedule that collapsed in succession due to the episode no-show.
Last year the SABC was specifically asked what steps, if any, the public broadcaster took and will be taking going forward specifically with Survivor to prevent a repeat occurrence of playout problems with the show, but the SABC didn't respond.
Monday night viewers saw the start of Survivor Cambodia - Second Chance but SABC3 then inexplicably edited and cut out the episode's entire "immunity challenge", only to then continue with the tribal council.
That was followed by music video fillers on SABC3 to kill the time when the episode ran short, leaving viewers clueless as to what happened in the middle of the first episode.
On social media the SABC failed to interact with viewers wondering what's going on. The SABC was asked in a media enquiry Monday night what happened and why the episode was edited and cut in this way. If or when there's a response from the SABC it will be added here.
David Makubyane, general manager for TV channels, now standing in as acting SABC3 channel head after Aisha Mohamed quit last month, said at the end of July that SABC3, struggling in the ratings, wants viewers to come back and is working to repair its reputation as a channel destination for quality content.
"We want someone to say 'I can tune to SABC3 and get the latest local and international content at the quality that you can get on any other platform in South Africa," said David Makubyane.
On Monday night perplexed and angry SABC3 viewers immediately vented on social media about SABC3's latest Survivor mess.
"Where are the SABC3 headquarters, we just want to talk about the Survivor episode they butchered," said Lungelo Gigaba.
"SABC3 throwing the Survivor challenge again. Who at the studio is getting voted out tonight? The tribe has spoken," remarked Shan Radcliffe.
"Did SABC3 just cut crucial parts of the first Survivor episode without blinking an eye? The immunity challenge wasn't aired, despite the timeslot now being 1h30mins long to have more time for ads. Why pay a TV licence?" asked Clinton du Preez.
"SABC3 what happened to Survivor today? Didn't see the challenge and straight to tribal council?" asked Xavier Dabrowski.
"SABC3 ... what's happening you guys didn't show the challenge, yet straight after the ad break you show tribal ... I'm confused," said Dulan Williams.
"SABC3 most useless channel. Cutting Survivor AGAIN!!!!! Where's the challenge??? SABC3 you stuff up with every new Survivor season. Jirrrr. BCCSA should do something about you!!!!" remarked Juanita.
Where are the @SABC3 headquarters, we just want to talk about the Survivor episode they butchered. #SurvivorS31 pic.twitter.com/jAyc1WMwD8— Lungelo Gigaba (@LungeloGigaba) August 13, 2018
Who's the dumbass at @SABC3 who cut out half the first episode of #Survivor, not showing the challenge and going straight to tribal council?— FireflyTheTravelGuy (@FireflyAfrica) August 13, 2018
Did @SABC3 just cut crucial parts of the first #Survivor episode without blinking an eye? The immunity challenge wasn’t aired, despite the timeslot now being 1h30mins long to have more time for ads. Why pay a TV licence? #CashStrappedSABC— Clinton du Preez (@Cleintoon) August 13, 2018
SABC3's mangled Survivor history
SABC3 has an ongoing, embarrassing history with mangling Survivor and alienating viewers.
In September 2009 SABC3 messed up the order of the episodes for the Survivor China finale which led to massive viewer outrage.
As advertisers and the sponsor demanded money back, the final control worker was immediately sent home, and later disciplined; and the issue was even addressed in parliament where the mistake was lamented as indicative of the worrying state of the public broadcaster.
In December 2010 SABC3 abruptly delayed the start of Survivor Gabon. Weekly South African entertainment magazines that ran exit interviews worked according to SABC3's planned schedule and already put Christmas and New Year issues to bed.
The result was that multiple magazine covers gave away who was getting voted out before SABC3 showed the episode because the broadcast schedule no longer synced up with magazines' on sale distribution dates.
In Aprl 2012 SABC3 played a wrong promo during the 19th season showing a contestant already sitting in the tribal council jury although he was still very much part of the competing group of the show - giving away that he is getting voted out.
