e.tv has acquired and scheduled Lucasfilm's Star Wars saga with seven of the films in the ongoing series that is being broadcast on the free-to-air broadcaster since Saturday 18 August.
I still remember very well the first time I saw Star Wars. I knew about it as a kid and what it was about, have read books about it and seen multiple photos, but never had the chance to see it.
Then it was finally scheduled on public South African television and I watched the second film, Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on a Saturday night on what was then the CCV channel.
After M-Net for years showed the Star Wars films since the 80's, e.tv is finally, for the first time, showing the Star Wars films as a festival, starting with Episode IV: A New Hope and ending with Episode VII: The Force Awakes.
"Star Wars is one of the world's biggest film franchises, and e.tv is extremely proud to bring the action, drama and laughs of the saga to e.tv audiences for the first time. The force will be strong with e.tv and Star Wars this August and September," says Marlon Davids, MD of e.tv.
The interesting thing (and part of an ongoing debate) is whether viewers watching Star Wars or starting Star Wars, should watch the story chronologically - meaning from Episode 1 to Episode 8 - or how they were released, meaning, starting from Episode 4.
e.tv chose to start in media res with episode 4, which I believe is the right decision.
Episodes I to III of Star Wars are understood better, with added dramatic irony and contextual tension when those are viewed after Episodes IV to VI.
Here is e.tv's Star Wars movies line-up:
Saturday, 18 August 21:35: Star Wars: Episode IV - Episode A New Hope
Saturday, 25 August at 22:25: Star Wars Episode V - Empire Strikes Back
Saturday, 1 September at 21:40: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return Of The Jedi
Saturday, 8 September at 21:35: Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace
Saturday, 15 September at 21:25: Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of The Clones
Saturday, 22 September at 21:50: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge Of The Sith
Sunday, 30 September at 20:00: Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens
