While both M-Net executives and Rapid Blue producers still don't want to talk to the media two days after a firestorm of criticism engulfed its Love Island SA reality show on Sunday, the pay-TV broadcaster on Tuesday afternoon at 16:00 posted a message on social media finally using the word "sorry" for the first time and that they are "working tirelessly to fix things".
M-Net posted its message at 16:00 on Tuesday after the main sponsor of the local adaptation of the excoriated ITV Studios format show, LottoStar dumped and distanced itself from the reality series on Tuesday that came under severe criticism for its lack of diversity in casting and shockingly bad production values.
"You called us out on the lack of diversity and production quality in our first episode of Love Island SA. We're sorry - we didn't meet our usual standard on both counts. We are working tirelessly to fix things, and to deliver the Magic you deserve," said M-Net in a social media statement card that wasn't emailed to media.
Interestingly, M-Net hasn't said a single word to journalists about Love Island SA, or responded to any media enquiries made, since Monday.
Meanwhile MultiChoice and its PR company Aprio, have rebuffed media requests to interview M-Net executives charged with oversight of the show, or Rapid Blue producers making it, and there's been nothing like a virtual press conference to explain or take the media's questions.
There's been no statements or any explanations forthcoming at all from Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice Group CEO for general entertainment and connected video, M-Net CEO Nkateko Mabaso, M-Net director Jan du Plessis, or Kaye-Ann Williams as M-Net's head of local productions.
Serious questions remain unanswered by Rapid Blue about how the implosion of Love Island SA came about with the show that is overseen by executive producers Adi de Lancey and Duncan Irvine, series producer Abigail Clark, series director Nadia White, and head of production Kim Thwaites.
No answers have yet been given about why the production erred so egregiously with the Love Island South Africa casting selection, and why it remains unable to fix production issues with the sound, editing, music, voice-over narration, cinematography and why the show is set in a vineyard instead of, like previous UK and French seasons filmed in South Africa, at luxury mansions.
MultiChoice and M-Net haven't made the much-derided debut episode of Love Island SA available on its DStv Catch Up service but added Monday night’s second episode – also containing mistakes – on Tuesday morning.
However, by Tuesday afternoon episode 2 of Love Island SA was also abruptly removed without explanation from DStv Catch Up.
MultiChoice was asked about the episode's removal - likely to do with the fact that it contains LottoStar banners and advertising - and for comment on the ongoing mistakes and technical issues that were present in Monday night's episode as well, and why these occured.
Comment will be added here if received.
ALSO READ: TV REVIEW. M-Net’s botched and poorly produced Love Island South Africa is unacceptably bad.
