A stunning number of viewers have seen and sampled the first episode of The Bachelor SA as a free-watch, with the YouTube number counter continuing to explode upwards as people in droves click and view the long-form, premium-produced content after its debut this past Thursday evening on M-Net at 19:00.
ALSO READ: Viewers flock to The Bachelor South Africa ... on YouTube, saying it looks like Top Billing and begging M-Net to make all the episodes available for free.
ALSO READ: Viewers flock to The Bachelor South Africa ... on YouTube, saying it looks like Top Billing and begging M-Net to make all the episodes available for free.
In a remarkable departure, M-Net - in a first for the 32-year old pay-TV broadcaster - decided to give a premium chunk of one of its new pay-TV series away for free by placing the entire 1 hour and 8 minutes debut episode of its latest, locally produced show on YouTube. It worked.
Counter-intuitively, by giving the episode away for free, the successful result of the content marketing experiment with The Bachelor SA has been a massive win for MultiChoice's most premium, flagship channel on DStv.
The surprising move could very well lead to a possible permanent strategy shift inside M-Net that could see the debut episodes of all or several more of M-Net series in future be placed online for free and that foreseeably could help drive possible DStv Premium uptake and aid in show sampling and raising show title awareness under the public.
While the local version of The Bachelor SA with bachelor Lee Thompson - produced by Rapid Blue according to the dating show format of Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITVP) - rack up YouTube views, the comments on their own, mostly from a female audience, are additional entertainment gold.
"Wow, the picture quality's out of this world and the Western Cape is something else. This show will not only entertain us but also promote travel and tourism," said Mamapho Langa.
"Gina looks like Megan Markle. Hopefully she snags this prince Harry," said Rose Greenstone.
"You guys are smart for putting the first episode on YouTube," remarked Siba Jack-Pamal with Z.Mute saying: "I'm even ready to subscribe".
"Guys, let's share DStv Now usernames and passwords. Let's do it for the nation," suggested Mmala Mokone, while Lesedi Khumalo said: "I really like this guy he seems sincere".
"Hey these ladies are off the hook, they are all beautiful stunning and intelligent, I love the diversity and different backgrounds, so proud to be a South African woman," remarked Adele Davids. Olwethu Yekela said: "I absolutely the diversity, and how laid back this guy is".
"He likes tall women, so the shorter women must prepare their hearts for rejection. He is gorgeous though!" said Patience Mabaso. "Does he not have a tattoo? Wow, I am looking for one; rare, rare," observed Nothando Dnhlovu.
"Jozaan is probably an only child. She has that vibe to her," said Sasha, while Helene Elisab20 commented: "Jozaan your bum is so flat like my TV's screen please try to fix it girl".
"Is it just me or someone else has noticed the swelling on Natasha's (scientist) neck? She needs to have it checked out," said Betty Achieng.
"Wait... The twins got the same surname as the dude? Wouldn't marry or date someone with the same surname as me," said Rofhiwa Tshikonelo.
"I'm rooting for Michelle R. She represents many of us hard working, mature, educated, independent & beautiful South African women out there - black, white, Indian, coloured. Love her," wrote Dineo Mokgosi.
"Not crazy about women competing over a man, entertaining though, since this is the business of entertainment. Top Billing style type of production, well done," said Joy.
"Wow, the picture quality's out of this world and the Western Cape is something else. This show will not only entertain us but also promote travel and tourism," said Mamapho Langa.
"Gina looks like Megan Markle. Hopefully she snags this prince Harry," said Rose Greenstone.
"You guys are smart for putting the first episode on YouTube," remarked Siba Jack-Pamal with Z.Mute saying: "I'm even ready to subscribe".
"Guys, let's share DStv Now usernames and passwords. Let's do it for the nation," suggested Mmala Mokone, while Lesedi Khumalo said: "I really like this guy he seems sincere".
"Hey these ladies are off the hook, they are all beautiful stunning and intelligent, I love the diversity and different backgrounds, so proud to be a South African woman," remarked Adele Davids. Olwethu Yekela said: "I absolutely the diversity, and how laid back this guy is".
"He likes tall women, so the shorter women must prepare their hearts for rejection. He is gorgeous though!" said Patience Mabaso. "Does he not have a tattoo? Wow, I am looking for one; rare, rare," observed Nothando Dnhlovu.
"Jozaan is probably an only child. She has that vibe to her," said Sasha, while Helene Elisab20 commented: "Jozaan your bum is so flat like my TV's screen please try to fix it girl".
"Is it just me or someone else has noticed the swelling on Natasha's (scientist) neck? She needs to have it checked out," said Betty Achieng.
"Wait... The twins got the same surname as the dude? Wouldn't marry or date someone with the same surname as me," said Rofhiwa Tshikonelo.
"I'm rooting for Michelle R. She represents many of us hard working, mature, educated, independent & beautiful South African women out there - black, white, Indian, coloured. Love her," wrote Dineo Mokgosi.
"Not crazy about women competing over a man, entertaining though, since this is the business of entertainment. Top Billing style type of production, well done," said Joy.
