MultiChoice and M-Net have sold several of its locally-produced shows to The Africa Channel based in Los Angeles and broadcasting across the United States, with none of the actors, writers, crew or talent who will be getting any residuals.
The Africa Channel is adding multiple M-Net series and shows that were broadcast on the SABC to its primetime schedule for 2019, ranging from The Wild and The Wedding Bashers, to The Hostess and High Rollers.
"We have been extremely fortunate to be able to tap into the increasing pool of talent from the continent and beyond, and present world-class content that is bold, diverse and globally appealing to North American audiences," says Karen Juve, The Africa Channel's vice president for programming and acquisitions, in a statement.
M-Net's former weekday soap opera The Wild that M-Net also licensed to e.tv in South Africa and started recently will now also be seen in the United States.
None of the actors or talent of The Wild will see another cent from the broadcast of the show on e.tv or The Africa Channel.
The Mzansi Magic drama series iNumber Number, as well as Hard Copy, High Rollers and The Hostess with Lorna Maseko that were broadcast on SABC3 will be seen by American audiences on The African Channel.
Again none of the actors, writers or talent involved with any of these shows will see any additional payment for the sale of the works they appear in.
The Wedding Bashers, another M-Net show, produced by [SIC] Entertainment has also been picked up by The Africa Channel, as well as Cooking with Siba that was on The Food Network.
While premium South African TV back-catalogue content are being exploited and licensed - as it should - for re-airing in other countries, sadly the people who helped to make those shows, unlike what happens in America with American talent, are left behind and are not benefitting.
