SABC ropes in Arise/365 Digital, Media North and Mediamark to help boost digital ad sales as it continues with retrenchment process of in-house digital sales division

Thinus Ferreira

The South African public broadcaster has appointed Arise/365 Digital, Media North as well as Mediamark as digital sales partners.

The SABC's appointment of Arise/365 Digital, Media North and Mediamark as specialist digital sales companies to try and bring in advertising income for the beleaguered broadcaster comes as the SABC has started a retrenchment process of its sales division staff.

The SABC announced last month that its Section 189 process could affect as many as 180 workers across its various sales divisions, including the broadcaster's digital sales division, with job cuts expected by the end of November.

The Bemawu trade union disputed the number of affected SABC staffers and said that it's not 180 but 262 workers affected by the latest retrenchment process.

The retrenchments will potentially be across the SABC's sales divisions of enterprise sales, corporate sales, government sales, SMME (Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises), digital sales, sports sales, category management including RAP radio and product management), sales operations, Ad-venture sales, the sales intelligence division, as well as sales governance and the deals team.

The SABC's sales division has been underperforming for years.

About the appointment of the outside agencies, Nomsa Chabeli, SABC CEO, says in a statement "These partnerships are about unlocking greater value for our clients".

"By collaborating with trusted specialist partners, we are strengthening our ability to deliver innovative, multi-platform solutions across radio, television and digital."

"This ensures that advertisers can reach audiences in more impactful ways while benefitting from the growth of our digital platforms and the comprehensive opportunities they provide."

According to the SABC the appointment of these agencies will help with the public broadcaster's latest 5-year corporate plan that is looking to add new revenue streams for the corporation.

According to the SABC its sales partnerships with Arise/365 Digital, Media North and Mediamark as digital sales partners will help with broader market coverage through enhanced representation across the SABC's various digital platforms, as well as its streaming service SABC+, SABC News, SABC Sport, and its video entertainment and radio divisions.

The SABC says potential clients who want to advertise on the SABC will get "Access to experienced digital sales professionals who can respond quickly to evolving client needs" and that these agencies will "work alongside SABC’s internal sales teams, complementing rather than replacing them, to maximise client service and revenue potential".

The SABC notes that it remains "committed to transparency and collaboration, ensuring that all agencies and clients are supported through this transition and have access to the best possible service and opportunities".

MasterChef SA from Primedia Studios and Homebrew Films moves to e.tv for season 6 as entries open for a month

Thinus Ferreira

Primedia Studios and Homebrew Films are switching the cooking reality show MasterChef South Africa from the SABC to e.tv, with a 6th season that will air on the red-letter TV channel on Sunday evenings from sometime in early 2026.

Entries for season 6 of MasterChef SA open today until 16 October.

With a fully-functional competitors' kitchen sitting ready at Atlantic Studios in Cape Town, Primedia Studios and Homebrew Films are moving the cooking competition series to e.tv after a 5th season MasterChef SA and a second Celebrity MasterChef SA season that aired on the South African public broadcaster's SABC3.

The custom-built kitchen and pantry set at Atlantic Studios, crafted at a cost of millions of rand for the 5th season, will continue to be used for the 6th season of the localised Banijay format show on e.tv, with the new season, which will also be aired on eMedia's eReality and eExtra TV channels carried on its Openview service.

MasterChef SA will air on Sunday nights on e.tv at 18:00 from sometime early in 2026. The trio of judges will be announced soon. Filming of the new season is set to start towards the end of the year.

The jump of MasterChef SA to e.tv marks a unique, extremely rare and once-in-a-TV-lifetime  occurence for a South African television show.

With its airing on e.tv, MasterChef SA will have the almost singular distinction of being a TV show that has clinched the TV trifecta of having aired as an original local production on M-Net and MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV service, the SABC, as well as e.tv - all three of South Africa's major TV broadcasters.

And as rare: Veteran publicist Lani Lombard who worked behind the show at M-Net and transitioned to Primedia Studios and worked on it for the SABC, will also be responsible for the media liaison of MasterChef SA when it's on e.tv - for a count of three out of three.

Another high scorer is TV executive Jan du Plessis, Primedia Studios president, who oversaw MasterChef SA during its M-Net iteration, steered it during its SABC run, and is also instrumental in the TV pressure pot finding a new home at e.tv.

Notably, the MasterChef SA brand will now have had TV audience exposure to the sought-after, smaller but highly coveted pay-TV audience in South Africa, the much broader public broadcaster audience, and now also the large, commercial free-to-air audience of e.tv.

Helga Palmer, e.tv group head of content and strategy, says "MasterChef is a tasty and spicy television stew infused with all the ingredients our audiences love – rollercoaster action, suspense, high drama, and unforgettable reality show moments".

"The South African adaptation, infused with the flavours of local cuisine, has been a winning recipe with a series of successful seasons, and e.tv is the perfect broadcaster for this exhilarating format."

Bongumusa Makhatini, Primedia Studios CEO, says "Collaborating with e.tv is an exciting step in bringing MasterChef SA to a broad, culturally diverse South African audience".

"We're thrilled to have secured a primetime slot on the country's biggest free-to-air independent broadcaster and its complementary channels, known for serving world-class entertainment to its multitude of viewers. And, we can't wait to meet all the contestants who'll whip up the new season's must-watch moments."

People interested will now be able to enter for the 6th season of MasterChef South Africa on e.tv on the website at masterchefsa.tv to complete the entry form. The closing date for entries is 16 October 2025 at 23:59.

People who want to enter MasterChef SA must be 18 years or older by November 2025, a South African citizen, and not currently be working as a professional chef, or have worked as a professional chef.

National Film and Video Foundation falters as its leadership instability continues

by Steve Kretzmann, GroundUp

Over the past two-and-a-half years, the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) has had six chief executive officers. The latest, Onke Dumeko, was appointed in an acting role on Monday.

This comes against a backdrop of allegations against sports, arts and culture minister Gayton McKenzie over the board selection process and the appointment of Onke Dumeko’s predecessors. 

The NFVF falls under the arts and culture department. It funds the development of film productions and is meant to promote the local film industry.

During an appearance by the NFVF before Parliament’s sports, arts and culture portfolio committee on 4 September, Gayton McKenzie left halfway through the 6-hour grilling.

He faced hard questions from ANC MPs Gaolatlhe Kgabo and Matsholo Mmolotsane, and EFF MP Eugene Mthethwa who accused McKenzie of deliberately destabilising the foundation for his own political ends.

The accusation followed questions about what legislation Gayton McKenzie relied upon to appoint Dumeko’s predecessor, Rirhandzu Machaba, and whether the NFVF board, which the National Film and Video Foundation Act clearly states is responsible for the appointment of the CEO, was duly constituted.

Unsatisfied with the department’s response that the Public Service Act allows the minister to second a member of staff as acting CEO at the board’s request, Mthethwa said McKenzie was "galvanising the sector" for his own political ends.

The previous NFVF board was dissolved by Gayton McKenzie in 2024, shortly after his appointment as minister. The nomination deadline for new board members was extended by more than a month, despite 180 nominations having been received. A shortlist of 22 names was never made available for public scrutiny.

It was revealed in parliament that the majority of the resultant 14-member board, including the board chairperson who has since resigned, were chosen from nominations received during the extension.

“You remove the board in order to put the board that serves your purpose,” said Mthethwa. He accused the minister of being “not honest” despite being someone who often quoted the Bible.

In response, Gayton McKenzie said, “You don’t have questions, you just have insults … there’s no act that says I must show the public the shortlist, there’s no act. Now you come here, you talk about my religion, you talk about my political party, you just have insults for me all the time.”

This led Kgabo to later comment that McKenzie was acting “like a toddler”, not a minister.

Leadership vacuum

The NFVF has had a succession of CEOs since Makhosazana Khanyile resigned in March 2023, a year before the end of her five-year term.

She was followed by Thobela Mayinje in an acting role from April 2023. 

At about the time McKenzie was appointed minister, Mayinje faced criticism for spending money on an expensive junket to the Cannes Film Festival, along with then board chairperson Tholoana Ncheke-Mahlaela. This was despite no South African films being represented at the festival.

Amidst what an NFVF statement at the time said were “numerous allegations”, Mayinje was suspended, but remained on full pay until her resignation in November last year.

The NFVF’s Chief Financial Officer, Peter Makaneta, told the portfolio committee that her resignation brought investigations against her to a halt. Among these were R4 500 worth of alcohol bought on the NFVF credit card.

Lebogang Mogoera was seconded into the breach as acting CEO until February this year, when Robben Island CEO Abigail Thulare was redeployed to head the NFVF. Thulare was relieved two months later by the permanent appointment of pastor Vincent Blennies in April 2025. Blennies suddenly quit less than three months later.

Rirhandzu Machaba then stood in as acting CEO, followed by Onke Dumeko, who took on the role on Monday.

When asked by DA MP Leah Potgieter why Blennies, who was the only permanent appointment since March 2023, unexpectedly resigned, McKenzie said he did not know.

“We had a CEO, people resign, it’s personal matters for people, you can’t stop them. He’s left, there’s nothing we could do about it,” said McKenzie.

Potgieter, along with ANC MP Moyagabo Makgato, also asked why board chair Saudah Hamid resigned shortly after Blennie, but no answer was provided.

GroundUp has established that board member Sydney James also resigned on 4 September, the day of the portfolio committee meeting.

The Auditor-General has made repeat negative findings against the NFVF in the past three years. NFVF CFO Makaneta attributed this to the lack of stability in the organisation.

“All the entities you see achieving clean audits, one of the success factors is stability at CEO and board level … If we can stabilise the entity, we guarantee we can easily achieve a clean audit,” said Makaneta.

He underscored this by revealing he and his personal assistant were the only permanent staff members in the finance department. “We have been working with temporary staff members because of the restructuring that is taking place.”

NFVF failures

According to the Auditor-General’s latest 2024/25 report, R1.1-million of the NFVF’s R150-million total budget was flagged as irregular expenditure due to it not being approved by the board. Internal controls were also found to be deficient, which was a repeat finding.

There was a passing mention made in Parliament of the Public Protector's report published on 30 June, which found the NFVF had failed to properly assess applications for funding under the Presidential Economic Stimulus Programme (PESP), of which the NFVF had received R152-million to disburse.

The Public Protector investigated the NFVF adjudication process and lack of an appeals process for rejected PESP funding, following a complaint lodged by Njabulo Media in February 2023. 

It was found that OL Africa Media Foundation was similarly unable to appeal after its PESP funding application was turned down.

The Public Protector agreed with Njabulo Media that their funding application was improperly assessed due to failures in the application adjudication process and the lack of a DSAC appeals process.

 It ordered that future PESP funding be administered according to guidelines to be developed by DSAC to regulate the PESP programme. The guidelines are due at the end of September, but no mention of progress was made during the portfolio committee meeting.

The NFVF has also failed to host the 19th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs), this year, which were due to take place in October.

The NFVF has stated that “after careful review and consultation”, the SAFTAs had been rescheduled to take place in March next year.

“The decision to move the awards is the result of leadership changes within the NFVF and related unforeseen delays,” stated NFVF spokesperson Lerato Mokopanele.

Independent TV critic Thinus Ferreira noted the announcement came after months of silence about the SAFTAs, and the rescheduling meant filmmakers would have to compete amongst a larger group of entries, as they would span a year-and-a-half rather than across the usual 12 months.

Regarding minister McKenzie’s responses to the portfolio committee, ANC MP Kgabo recommended he be referred to the ethics committee, but committee chair Joseph McGluwa did not make a ruling on this.

Following the portfolio committee meeting, questions were sent to DSAC asking for the reasons why board chair Saudah Hamid resigned, and the date of resignation.

The following response was received: “Saudah Hamid (board chairperson) resigned due to personal professional commitments that prevented her from dedicating sufficient time to the role, compounded by persistent governance challenges, operational dysfunction, leadership instability, financial mismanagement, excessive policy proliferation, and resistance to oversight within the organisation.”

 Her date of resignation was 8 August 2025.

Judge throws out Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magadumana interdict application to block Netflix SA and Storyscope from releasing Beauty and the Bester doc series

by Thinus Ferreira

On Friday morning Judge Sulet Potterill, as expected, dismissed the urgent court interdict application brought by convicted murderer, rapist and fraudster Thabo Bester and dr Nandipha Magadumana who tried to block Netflix from showing its documentary series Beauty and the Bester that the streamer earmarked for a release today.

"Judge Sulet Poterill in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria this morning said "A defamation claim can be instituted and damages sought. I cannot find in any way that the screening of the utterances they find to make the doctor guilty affects her right to have a fair trial".

She dismissed the interdict application with cost against Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magadumana and noted that the information about the two are "firmly in the public domain".

At exactly 09:00 on Friday, Netflix globally released the 3-episode Beauty and the Bester, with the 40-minute episodes having titles like "A Monster is Dead", "Ride or Die", and Everything to Lose".

The first episode of Beauty and the Bester details the prison fire in which Thabo Bester allegedly faked his death to escape, the second episode details how Nandipha Magadumana's friends and family feared that she "got swept away by love", while the third episode chronicles the manhunt for the two fugitives who crossed borders into Tanzania, and how deep Nandipha's involvement is in Thabo Bester's life of crime. 

Produced by StoryScope, Beauty and the Bester - a word play on the story "Beauty and the Beast" - has Anthony Molyneaux as director, with Neil Brandt, Laura Colucci and Thandi Davids as executive producers.

Netflix declined to provide media with digital screeners of Beauty and the Bester ahead of time, something which is usually done for review purposes and to promote content, saying it is "sensitive".

Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magadumana, with separate lawyers, both brought an urgent interdict application against the release on Netflix of Beauty and the Bester, chronicling the buzzy crime-riddled tale they're ensnared in.

After the judge tossed the interdict application on Friday morning, TVwithThinus asked Netflix South Africa for comment. Burson that does corporate communications on behalf of Netflix SA said Netflix has no comment or statement.

It's a two out of two for fail for Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magadumana who last year also brought an interdict application against MultiChoice's streamer Showmax and IdeaCandy when they tried to block the release of the documentary Tracking Thabo Bester that was also dismissed with cost.

Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magadumana are both due back in the Bloemfontein High Court next week Friday for their criminal trial. 

Thabo Bester is currently held in the C-Max division of the Kgosi Mampuru II jail.

ALSO READ: Netflix will only have half an hour time on Friday morning to halt global release of hot take doc series Beauty and the Bester if Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magadumana court interdict is maybe granted

GfK to take over as South African TV ratings tabulator at Broadcast Research Council in wake of Nielsen's shock exit

Thinus Ferreira

The Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRCSA) has appointed GfK, an NIQ company, to take over as South African TV ratings tabulator.

GfK's appointment announcement comes a week after Nielsen's shock announcement that it's quitting the country.

According to the BRCSA, GfK will "design and deploy the country's new Total Video Measurement service".

It comes after South Africa's broadcasters asked for an overhaul of the existing TAMS service and identified gaps in measuring the total video audience which continues to fragment and splinter across linear, recorded and catch-up, streaming, and other platforms and means.

The BRCSA in a press release, notes that "Broadcasters have been acutely aware of shifts in viewing that have built up over time and asked the BRC to ensure the service evolves accordingly".

After a procurement process was run, the BRC approached GfK with the finalisation of the contract that is underway.

The first phase of the switch-over will be a new TV currency service "feeding into daily TV trading", according to the BRCSA.

The BRCSA promises that the market "will have a clear, shared, and trusted daily TV currency that reflects today’s viewing reality for broadcast, and connected-TV usage, for broadcasters, agencies, and advertisers".

This first phase data will start to stream 1 January 2027.

The second phase will bring broadcaster on-demand and streaming for everyday planning, according to the BRCSA, so that broadcaster video-on-demand and streaming are incorporated, enabling planners to manage the combined impact of live and online viewing. 

This phase should be done by the end of 2027.

The so-called "total video picture" phase should be completed by the end of 2027 when the BRCSA plans to deliver a "unified, all-screens service" that will provide "one view of audiences across traditional television and digital video. This will be implemented during 2028.

The BRCSA says it is working with Nielsen "to coordinate an orderly transition".

"Nielsen will continue to deliver data until Phase 1 launches on 1 January 2027".

"By that avoiding any television data blackout prior to and during the handover, ensuring continuity for the industry throughout."

Gary Whitaker, BRCSA CEO, in the statement says "Today's announcement is about business confidence. We listened to the market, reviewed the status quo, commissioned a new Establishment Survey, and ran a rigorous, business-led process".

"With GfK’s appointment we now have a clear roadmap: first a new daily TV currency, then the inclusion of broadcaster on-demand, and by year-end 2027 a true Total Video service that mirrors how South Africans really watch. Broadcasters can prove their reach, agencies can plan with clarity, and advertisers can be sure every rand is working."

Lee Risk, Vice President, Media Measurement at GfK-NIQ, in the prepared statement, says "GfK-NIQ is proud to partner with the BRC and the South African TV industry to deliver a comprehensive, future-ready media measurement solution tailored to the unique dynamics of South Africa".

"This collaboration reflects a shared vision for innovation in media insights, and we’re confident in the strength of this partnership to elevate the industry."

Netflix will only have half an hour time on Friday morning to halt global release of hot take doc series Beauty and the Bester if Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magadumana court interdict is maybe granted

Thinus Ferreira

On Friday morning Netflix will literally have about half an hour or less to toggle its South African documentary series from Storyscope to "off" if a judge decides to grant an interdict against the global streamer to release Beauty and the Bester.

Netflix plans to release the 3-episode documentary series Beauty and the Bester on Friday morning, 12 September at 09:00, chronicling the buzzy crime story of convicted criminal and rapist Thabo Bester and celebrity doctor Nandipha Magadumana.

Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magadumana, with separate lawyers, both brought an urgent interdict application against the release on Netflix of Beauty and the Bester on Friday.

The interdict application was heard on Thursday in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria on Friday, with a judgment that will be delivered very early on Friday morning at 08:30, giving Netflix South Africa very little time to halt its release if the interdict is maybe granted.

Netflix has refused to give media access to digital screeners of Beauty and the Bester beforehand for review purposes, with its PR company telling TVwithThinus this week that "Considering the sensitive nature of the subject matter of the series, unfortunately pre-release screeners are not available".

Weirdly, Beauty and the Bester's sensitive nature wasn't too sensitive for Netflix and Storyscope to produce a 3-part documentary series out of. 

According to the logline from Netflix PR company Eclipse Communications, "The limited series seeks to unpack the rise and dramatic fall of Dr Nandipha Magudumana, a glamorous celebrity doctor whose entanglement with a convicted rapist and murderer, Thabo Bester, shocked the nation".

"Did the renowned Dr Nandipha get embroiled in Thabo Bester's prison break? This chilling documentary series examines the enigmatic ties that bound them."

Produced by Storyscope, Beauty and the Bester - a play on the story "Beauty and the Beast" - has Anthony Molyneaux as director, with Neil Brandt, Laura Colucci and Thandi Davids as executive producers.

The "Facebook Rapist" story makes for a compelling documentary series. In 2012 Thabo Bester was convicted for the rape and murder of his model girlfriend Nomfundo Tyhulu, a year after he was also found guilty of robbing and raping two other women.

Supposed to serve a life sentence, he somehow escaped in 2022 from the maximum security prison where he was held after a fire broke out that left behind a charred body. 

But it wasn't that of Thabo Bester with the body that got switched and Thabo Bester living in Johannesburg, allegedly helped by Nandipha Magadumana. They were arrested in April 2023 in Tanzania after they tried to flee and were deported back to South Africa.

They are currently in custody and awaiting a criminal trial with charges ranging from violating a corpse to defeating the ends of justice and fraud. They have not yet pleaded to the charges.

On Thursday the court heard the lengthy application of both Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magadumana.

Judge Sulet Potterill noted that she is reserving judgment until Friday morning very early but was specific in asking Netflix exactly at what time it planned to release Beauty and the Bester globally on Friday, with the streamer indicating a time of 09:00.

Both Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magadumana wants Netflix's Beauty and the Bester to be shelved until after their latest court case is over, alleging that the Netflix documentary series would damage their reputations and might influence the outcome of their criminal trial.

They are due back in the Bloemfontein High Court next week Friday for their criminal trial.

Thabo Bester's lawyer, Advocate Moafrika Wa Maila, on Thursday told the court that his client's right to a fair trail will be compromised by the Netflix documentary series.

"There is no proof that he had escaped. He has not yet been convicted on this. There are many reasons why a person is no longer in prison, such as parole. The documentary is a kangaroo court," Moafrika Wa Maila argued in court.

Bester is replacing the beast in the children's story Beauty and the Beast, meaning my client will now be the beast. This is serious defamation," Moafrika Wa Maila said.

"This also shows this documentary tries to drive a certain narrative about Bester. If Netflix publishes this tomorrow, in just one hour, it means we are going to have many people see this and public opinion and a public court would have decided otherwise about Bester."

"We are standing in one corner of the truth because he is also not given a right of a response."

Nandipha Magadumana's legal representative, Advocate Mphendulo Mfeka, told the court that she had not pleaded to the criminal charges against her and has not been given the right to tell her side what happened.

Nandipha Magadumana apparently got paid by StoryScope that licensed the use of archive material like photos of her life.

Advocate Lerato Moela, also representing Nandipha Magadumana, told the court that the contract with StoryScope and Netflix gave Nandipha Magadumana the right ro review and provide input on the final documentary edit before its release - arguing that this licensing contract was now being used to prevent her from not seeing the final cut before release.

"The respondents, StoryScope and Netflix, rely on the licensing agreement to tell the applicant that if for any reason you have a right to approach the court, that licensing agreement blocks you from invoking that right."

"They seem to suggest that they have a right to veto the documentary. There is no subject who has any entitlement to veto a story about them. Especially a notorious figure. She was invited to comment and she elected not to."

Advocate Thembeka Ngcukaitobi, representing Netflix and Storycope, told the court that the production did ask Nandipha Magadumana to contribute towards Beauty and the Bester, and that she initially said that she would but later declined.

Thembeka Ngcukaitobi told the court that Beauty and the Bester contains nothing that isn't yet known in the public domain.

"This documentary gives the victims of Thabo Bester a platform to be heard after years of silence. To silence the film is to silence them again," Thembeka Ngcukaitobi said.

"Nandipha Magadumana was paid for use of archive material, so it is therefore unacceptable for her to turn around at the last minute." 

Last year Thabo Bester and Nandipha Magadumana failed in another interdict application which was dismissed with cost, when they tried to prevent MultiChoice's streaming service Showmax and IdeaCandy from releasing the documentary Tracking Thabo Bester.

Apple TV+ renews Foundation for season 4

Thinus Ferreira

Apple TV+ has renewed the science fiction drama series Foundation based on Isaac Asimov's book series for a fourth season that will start production in early 2026.

The third season finale will become available on Apple TV+ on Friday 12 September.

"There is no series quite like Foundation and and we feel lucky and honoured to be carrying the torch forward as co-showrunners into season four," says Ian Goldberg and David Kob, co-showrunners, in a statement AppleTV+ issued on Thursday night.

"We look forward to continuing the epic, emotional, storytelling that defined the first three seasons of the show, and to be working alongside some of the most talented, passionate creative partners in the business."

Matt Cherniss, Apple TV+ head of programming, in the statement, says "It’s been fantastic to watch Foundation become such a global phenomenon, with fans tuning in from every corner of the world".

"With each new season, the excitement around this trailblazing sci-fi epic just keeps building due to the bold storytelling and collective artistry of this extraordinarily talented cast and creative team. We're excited to keep exploring this universe together in season four".

Foundation stars Jared Harris, Lee Pace and Lou Llobell, along with Laura Birn, Cassian Bilton, Terrence Mann and Rowena Kingwith. 

The new addition in Foundation's third season dealing with the Mule storyline and the end of the Cleonic dynasty, were Cherry Jones, Brandon P. Bell, Synnøve Karlsen, Cody Fern, Tómas Lemarquis, Alexander Siddig, Troy Kotsur and Pilou Asbæk.

Foundation was originally produced for Apple TV+ by Skydance Television that has now folded into Paramount Television Studios.

Ian Goldberg and David Kob will executive produce Foundation season four with Bill Bost, Pace, Michael Satrazemis, Robyn Asimov and David S. Goyer.

Production on Foundation's fourth season will start in early 2026.

Primedia brings more localised format shows to South African television with Denim Richards' Opulent Entertainment

Thinus Ferreira

Primedia Studios that has proven success with bringing and placing localised and adapted global format shows on South African television will bring new seasons of Project Runway, The Voice, Idols and Dancing with the Stars to South African TV.

A misfired, extremely inept and badly done Project Runway SA was attempted by Khanyi Dhlomo's imploded Ndalo Pictures in 2018 for M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and was never seen again, while M-Net (DStv 101) had more success with several seasons of The Voice SA, Idols and Dancing with the Stars.

Primedia Studios is teaming with the American Yellowstone-star Denim Richards and his Opulent Entertainment Group to localise these format reality shows for South African television.

While no platforms have been announced, it's unlikely that Project Runway SA, The Voice SA, Idols or Dancing with the Stars SA will be on any of M-Net's packaged TV channels on DStv, or the financially struggling South African public broadcaster's SABC channels, although it remains a faint possibility.

There is a much greater chance for these localised versions to be allocated airtime on streamers like MultiChoice's Showmax or Netflix SA, eMedia's e.tv, or a number of other third-party supplied DStv channels like NBCUniversal International Networks' Bravo!.

Denim Richards' Opulent Entertainment Group which he co-founded with South African director Mandla Dube, has had success with producing the South African film Heart of the Hunter done for Netflix.

"We are honoured and incredibly excited to join forces with Denim and his Opulent Entertainment Group on a venture that will unearth new stars and infuse these four top-tier ‘shiny-floor’ shows with the spirit of Africa,” says Jan du Plessis, Primedia Studios president, in a statement.

"We share the same vision for the future of African storytelling, and Denim’s extensive experience oscillating between Hollywood and our home ground is part of what will take Primedia Studios’ content slate to the next level."

Denim Richards says "The key to the future and sustainability of entertainment in Africa lies in collaboration and opportunities".

"This collaboration with Primedia Studios is a multi-faceted, significant step forward. Shows like The Voice, Project Runway, Idols and Dancing with the Stars are a powerful platform for undiscovered talent from Africa – not only in front of the camera, but also behind the scenes."

Denim Richards says "Meeting Primedia Group CEO Jonathan Procter and his team has inspired us at Opulent Entertainment Group, since our dreams and vision are aligned."

Jonathan Procter says "Denim Richards is a force of nature. He will fundamentally change the future of creators and the industry in Africa and the way the world understands the creative soul of Africa."

Primedia Studios and Opulent Entertainment's collaboration follows after Primedia's work on revived localised formats for the South African market like Deal or No Deal SA, Deal or No Deal Celebrity, as well as MasterChef SA across various SABC channels of the South African public broadcaster.

In South Africa TV ratings crisis looms as Nielsen announces market exit

Thinus Ferreira

TV ratings tabulator Nielsen is exiting South Africa after decades, a change that could plunge the country's TV ratings system and everyone depending on its ratings data, into crisis.

The country's TV ratings custodian, however, says it will start work on finding a replacement for TAMS, although ad buyers and agencies are in shock and calling Nielsen's exit a massive blow to South Africa.

While Nielsen in South Africa remains quiet, news leaked that the ratings collector is shutting shop in South Africa.

Telmar, the service using Nielsen data to give ad planners, buyers, agencies and broadcasters insight into audiences and who all use the data to plan ad spend and track audience numbers, told clients in an email that Nielsen is exiting South Africa.

Nielsen's exit will also affect South Africa's Broadcasting Research Council (BRC) that will also have to find a new ratings provider.

The BRC functions similar to the UK's BARB and Australia's OzTAM.

In a Nielsen memo, the South African biz got a shock when they were told that "After careful consideration Nielsen has made the decision to exit the South African market".

"Earlier this month we notified the BRC of our interest in transitioning leadership of the Television Audience Measurement (TAMS) service to another provider within the next 12 months. They are currently evaluating an alternate partner and we anticipate they will share an announcement in the coming days."

"During this transition, we want to assure you that we will continue to fulfill all of our existing commitments."

Telmar which uses Nielsen ratings data, then told clients in a memo, "You may have seen the recent announcements from Nielsen and the BRC regarding TAMS. Some clients have asked whether this change will affect their TelmarHelixa services in South Africa. We want to assure you that it will not."

"Regardless of the BRC's appointed supplier of TAMS data, TelmarHelixa will continue to load and support the TV data as we always have. There is no disruption to your access, no impact on your systems and no change to transmit. Telmar has always been independent and data-neutral."

The BRC, about Nielsen's South Africa exit, said "A new service provider has been identified, and formal appointment processes are being finalised. Details will be announced within two weeks."

According to the BRC, "Nielsen has communicated its intention to exit the South African market within the next 12 months. The BRC is engaging with Nielsen to secure continuity of data during the handover period."

It said that "The BRC remains confident that the transition now underway will strengthen South Africa’s audience measurement system, safeguard industry needs, and deliver a world-class, future-proof solution."

Nielsen didn't respond to any media queries.

An insider told TVwithThinus that despite promises of no changes, that Nielsen's exit is a huge blow and that the impact of the decision to exit South Africa and switch-over will lead to upheaval, changes and uncertainty.

"It's shocking. The big worry is that when the data changes, the big question is how trendable the new data will be, and how trendable whatever the new data is, with past data".

"From a media perspective rates are set according to audiences. Let's say a show commanded a price of R100 000 for 100 000 eyeballs."

"What if the new data from a new ratings agency suddenly says the show that had 100 000 viewers now just have 50 000 viewers, or 150 000 viewers? Everybody's nervous because of the unknown unknowns. Nielsen planning to leave South Africa is huge."

Mmoni Ngubane, SABC spokesperson, didn't respond to a media query about the SABC's reaction to Nielsen's exit.

MultiChoice which operates DStv and Showmax, said it's monitoring developments.

eMedia that runs e.tv, Openview and eVOD, in response to a media query said "eMedia Investments acknowledges Nielsen's departure from South Africa and recognises this as a significant development in our industry's audience measurement landscape".

" As a major broadcaster and content provider, we understand the critical importance of robust, reliable audience measurement systems."

"While Nielsen's exit presents challenges, we are actively engaged with the BRC to ensure continuity and enhancement of audience measurement services. We note that the BRC has already identified a new service provider and is in the process of finalising formal appointment procedures."