by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax has commissioned a South African adaptation of the American comedy series Superstore produced by Barkers Media which will be done in isiZulu.
While work continues on an Afrikaans version for Showmax and kykNET (DStv 144) of The Office produced by Rapid Blue and licensed from BBC Studios, MultiChoice and NBCUniversal Formats are teaming up to do a version of Superstore for Showmax in isiZulu.
Production on the South African version as a Showmax Original and produced by Barkers Media, will start this year.
The six seasons of the American version of Superstore starring America Ferrera and Ben Feldman whose characters work at the fictional Cloud 9 chain store, are carried on Showmax.
The South African version will be the second non-English version after Supertitlán which is the Latin adaptation of the format in Mexico.
Barkers Media already produced Killer Front
Page, the reality shows Shebeen Queens and The Bala Family, as well as How to Manifest a Man.
"We're on Cloud 9," says Nicola van Niekerk, MultiChoice's executive head of programming.
"I laughed my way through every episode of Superstore and
can't wait to see how the funny and loveable characters are reimagined in our
complex country."
Reneilwe Sema, Barkers Media co-executive producer, says "We are
proud to be producing the first African version of Superstore for
Showmax.
Mpho Lengane, Barkers Media co-executive producer, adds "The
format is globally recognised and adored by audiences all over the world, so
we're looking forward to adding that distinctive South African flavour to it".
Hannah Mabruk, NBCUniversal Formats vice president for format sales, says Superstore "is a format that resonates with audiences around the world because of its undeniable
humour, heart, and universal themes of community and friendship flourishing in
the workplace".
"Together with our longtime partners at Showmax and the team at
Barkers Media, we look forward to bringing a uniquely South African spin to
these lovable characters in a fresh and exciting new way."
