by Thinus Ferreira
South African television primetime could likely claim two more TV victims with the cancellation of the telenovela Legacy on M-Net (DStv 101) at 19:00 after two seasons that might very well be followed by the axing of two other local weekday telenovelas, The Estate on SABC3 at 19:00 and Isono on BET (DStv 129) at 21:30.
Both The Estate on SABC3 getting a months-old rebroadcast on SABC1 to try and lure more viewers, as well as Isono on BET, have co-incidentally been produced by the same production company, Clive Morris Productions, and neither have yet been renewed for a second season.
The SABC didn't respond to multiple media queries made over the past week about The Estate and why it hasn't been renewed yet.
Ratings kept falling for The Estate in the tough timeslot reaching only a measley 286 902 viewers during primetime at most on SABC3 during October in the 19:00 timeslot. On SABC1 older episodes of The Estate as part of a repurposed rerun averaged 2.3 million viewers in October.
The Estate that was never a viewership success for SABC3 plunged further in the ratings race and suffered further damage after e.tv launched its House of Zwide earlier this year in the same competitive timeslot.
At a recent red carpet wrap party for Isono neither Clive Morris Productions nor ViacomCBS Networks Africa wanted to say a word about a second season that had also finished production on the first season.
Asked if Isono is cancelled as BET's first locally-produced telenovela, Monde Twala, senior vice president and general manager for ViacomCBS Networks Africa didn't give a specific answer but said "BET Africa remains committed to make significant
investment into the local production industry, the launch of our
first star-studded daily drama format Isono has been popular with
viewers across the continent".
"Africans are among the most devoted and
enthusiastic viewers of daily novelas and we are honoured to be a part of this
long tradition of true local storytelling."
"We continue to focus on
providing audiences with jam-packed locally-brewed content, celebrating black
culture and authentic storytelling."
"There will be a number of game-changing
announcements for the channel as we get into the new year and we encourage our
viewers to keep tuned in for the latest in upcoming local content."
