As Mzansi Magic's ratings of Idols season 18 cratered in 2022 and its DStv viewership tanked so did MultiChoice's promises to improve media relations and communication around the show.

by Thinus Ferreira

In February this year MultiChoice's head of programming, Nomsa Philiso, promised the media ahead of the start of the 18th season of Idols, that MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic's public relations and its communication with the journalists and publications covering the show, will improve.

Nothing came from these promises.

Mzansi Magic had shockingly bad and basically non-existent communications in 2021 around Idols, resulting in less coverage and reporting, fewer articles and much-depleted media engagement. Ratings also tanked.

Nomsa Philiso's promises to improve how MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic communicate with the media about Idols were made at a press briefing held at Urban Brew Studios in Johannesburg in mid-February, where the pay-TV operator and pay-TV channel assured the media that MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic were going to work better when it comes to interacting with the press, and to do more when it comes to communicating about Idols after a bad 2021.

Over the past 8 months, MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic's communication and press relations around the [SIC] Entertainment-produced show however worsened further in 2022.

Mzansi Magic and The Duma Collective PR firm, responsible for publicity and interacting with the press about Idols, engaged even less with the media in 2022 about the show - as viewership for the latest season of Idols on Mzansi Magic nosedived right from its debut, with ratings sinking lower and lower every month.

For the 18th season, the Fremantle-format show fired Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi as judges who were replaced by artist Thembi Seete and rapper-producer JR Bogopa.

Gavin Wratten as director and co-executive producer, along with Anneke de Ridder and ProVerb (Tebogo Thekisho) as co-producers and with ProVerb also being the host, decided as well to bring back Somizi Mhlongo who left after a scandal-engulfed year in 2021.

Idols shed hundreds of thousands of viewers the past few months in an ongoing ratings collapse, with hundreds of thousands of DStv subscribers who have abandoned the Sunday evening show on Mzansi Magic compared to a year ago when ratings also started to plummet from what the show pulled in earlier seasons.

Mzansi Magic didn't respond to a media query made Friday about Idols and questions around the season 18 post-show press conference, if there would be one on Sunday night, and the media's opportunity to pose questions to the winner, runner-up, as well as show and M-Net executives.

Phoned on Sunday, Boitumelo Tsele, a PR specialist at Duma Collective paid by Mzansi Magic to communicate about Idols on behalf of Mzansi Magic and to liaise with media, said she'll call back. She never did.

In February, TVwithThinus at the press briefing asked specifically what happened last year that the media were largely shunned when it came to Idols, about Mzansi Magic's media communications, as well as what the way forward is going to be from M-Net's side following the bad PR and lack of attention to properly communicate with the press around Idols in 2021.

In 2021 Mzansi Magic failed to engage South Africa's national media around the "Hell Week" period as it used to in the past, Mzansi Magic canned the long-running Idols post-show press conference at the end and didn't bother to even do it virtually, while media interaction all through the 17th season was atrociously lacking and was judged the worse it's been in the show's 17th season history.

Making things worse, is that Mzansi Magic couldn't be bothered to tell media that it had decided to dump the communications and press relations interaction that used to happen around Idols in previous years. 

Media were left hanging, having to guess - or constantly having to discover belatedly afterwards - that this and that and the post-show media conference for Idols in 2021 wouldn't be taking place.

Besides getting less coverage for Idols season 17 in the media in 2021, Mzansi Magic also unceremoniously dumped the Mzansi Magic Top 12 contestants in-person media briefings it held in the past, and jettisoned regional radio stations and even community media and radio stations that used to be invited to media briefings in Johannesburg.

All of these interactions that used to signal that Idols was important and mattered were scuppered - either due to Mzansi Magic budget cuts, lack of know-how or lack of interest, with the end result that the eventual Idols winner and runner-up of 2021 got less media attention than their counterparts of previous seasons - something which is one of the overall aims of the show.

Fell through the cracks

"There's no doubt that the partnership with the media is important to us. I think with specific reference to last year, I think there were a lot of things that fell through the cracks in terms of the communication process itself," Nomsa Philiso told journalists at the media briefing in February.

"You'll remember that in 2020 we did have a virtual Idols press conference. But yes, something did go off last year," she said.

"You were one of the people who raised it, to say 'What happened?'. So we are deliberately going to make sure that the media is kept abreast, that we walk the path together with the media as we've always done," Nomsa Philiso said.

"For media who got a raw deal last year we apologise, but it's something that we're going to fix."

From bad to worse

Unfortunately Mzansi Magic didn't fix anything as Nomsa Philiso promised would happen.

In 2022, media got even less communication around Idols for the 18th season, with even less interaction and media engagement happening around the show during this past year than in the already diminished 2021 season.

With the season 18 finale of Idols taking place on Sunday, there's again been an abject lack of media engagement and communication throughout the season with the media trying to cover the show.

Between a smattering of sometimes-sent, often-not, press releases and precious little else from the Mzansi Magic and Duma Collective publicists supposed to engage, interact and communicate with the press about the show, media interest in Idols waned further similar to the show's ratings.

After a new Idols winner is announced on Sunday night there will be an in-person, post-show media briefing. 

It's predominantly for Johannesburg media only, although around 5 journalists from outside of Johannesburg have been flown to the city, further underscoring how Idols has shrunk in its press engagement from what it used to be and used to do, further marginalising the perception in media's minds that Idols - and covering it - mattered.

Are budget cuts to blame? Is a constant turnover of here-this-month-gone-next-month publicists to blame? Is it a lack of institutional history around proper/past media engagement and what Idols used to do before? 

Media outside of Johannesburg have once again been left wondering what's happening with Idols on Sunday, as has been the case throughout this season.

While Idols once again became smaller in stature in 2022 journalists across South Africa have been wondering among themselves the past few months about Idols' future.

As the show has an ongoing struggle to properly communicate with media, Idols is once again ending on Sunday without any heads-up as to what's happening regarding a post-show media briefing.

As Idols season 18 concludes its latest season on Sunday - and if there's a season 19 - it would be even more difficult for Mzansi Magic to try and get media buy-in next year from a press contingent wondering why they should still be devoting any time and effort to cover a show that has not just lost half its audience but apparently its willingness to signal that Idols still matters.

ALSO READ: Recording contract of Mzansi Magic's Idols winner reduced from album to just an EP.

MultiChoice and M-Net bring Somizi Mhlongo back as Idols judge on Mzansi Magic despite abuse allegations: 'My private life is my private life'.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net and production company [SIC] Entertainment confirmed that they are bringing back the controversial socialite and choreographer Somizi Mhlongo as a judge to Idols on MultiChoice's Mzansi Magic channel despite unresolved serious allegations of physical abuse.

After Idols viewership plunged with the show that shed over a third of its ratings in season 17 last year with Somizi Mhlongo that abruptly departed, Somizi Mhlongo is returning for the 18th season despite the unresolved allegations.

Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi who didn't see their contracts as Idols judges renewed, have now been replaced by artist Thembi Seete and rapper-producer JR Bogopa.

The South African version of the Fremantle format show has Gavin Wratten as director and executive producer, along with Anneke de Ridder and ProVerb (Tebogo Thekisho) as co-producers, with ProVerb also being the host.

Somizi Mhlongo stands accused of alleged shocking physical violence and emotional abuse - charges he has not been cleared of - including allegedly chasing his former lover Mohale Motaung with a knife. 

TVwithThinus asked Somizi Mhlongo if he thinks that the drama from his personal life will overshadow season 18 of Idols.

"If you have noticed, I've never spoken about anything and I believe my private life is my private life and my work life is my work life, so I'm still staying there," he says.

"I feel like I can't say anything at the moment and I don't want to say anything at the moment with regard to that. All I can tell you is it was one of the toughest times of my life and my career but we move forward and like we say: 'Innocent until proven guilty".

Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice's head of programming for general entertainment, says "We're excited to have Idols return for an incredible 18th season".

"To have such longevity in such a fast-changing industry is no small feat, and we're proud to keep giving our viewers what they love. One of the key components in having staying power is evolution, and our new-look panel is part of that."

"Idols is an important part of our creative industry. Not only do we unearth hidden talent, but we also nurture our contestants and equip them with the necessary tools to start or grow their careers. It's a privilege to be able to do that for another season."

ALSO READ: M-Net's Mzansi Magic and Idols bringing back controversial Somizi Mhlongo as judge for season 18, Thembi Seete and rapper JR added as judges.

ALSO READ: Mzansi Magic and [SIC] Entertainment dump Idols judges Randall Abrahams and Unathy Nkayi before season 18 auditions start on Sunday.

ALSO READ: M-Net's Mzansi Magic channel and [SIC] Entertainment plan to bring back controversial Somizi Mhlongo as judge for Idols season 18 and to drop Unathi Nkayi - report

ALSO READ: Mzansi Magic abruptly axes Idols winner media briefing for season 17 after 19 years as ratings plunge.

ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. Why lazy M-Net's lackadaisical decision to drop the Idols winner Mzansi Magic media briefing damages DStv, Idols and South Africa's entertainment press. 

After her axing Unathi Nkayi says it was an honour being an Idols judge on MultiChoice's Mzansi Magic.

by Thinus Ferreira

After getting axed as an Idols judge on Mzansi Magic before the 18th season, Unathi Nkayi in a statement says it was an honour having been part of the reality format series.

Both Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi were axed from the South African version of the Fremantle format show produced by [SIC] Entertainment before auditions started this past Sunday for the upcoming season 18 that will be shown later this year on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161).

Mzansi Magic said it's not renewing the contracts of Randall Abrahams or Unathi Nkanyi who have served as Idols judges respectively since the start of Idols in 2002 for 17 seasons and since 2011 for 10 seasons.

The South African version of Idols has Gavin Wratten as director and executive producer, along with Anneke de Ridder and ProVerb (Tebogo Thekisho) as co-producers with ProVerb also being the host.

The departure of Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi follow after the exit of the controversial Somizi Mhlongo in 2021 following serious allegations of physical abuse against the socialite, after which Idols immediately lost a third of its Sunday evening ratings on Mzansi Magic as viewers tuned out.

Somizi Mhlongo stands accused of alleged shocking physical violence and emotional abuse - charges he has not been cleared of - including allegedly chasing his former lover Mohale Motaung with a knife. 

Mzansi Magic and [SIC] Entertainment have reportedly been discussing the possible return of Somizi Mhlongo for the 18th season to try and reverse Idols' ratings collapse during season 17.

The public image of Unathi Nkayi also took a knock in late-2021 when she was involved in a behind-the-scenes verbal fight with fellow radio host Sizwe Dhlomo at the Kaya FM radio station that spilt out in public, and which led to Kaya FM firing her.

In a statement posted on her Instagram account on social media, Unathi Nkayi says that it was an honour for her to have been a part of the show as a judge.

"To every contestant who stood in front of us. From the ones brave enough to share with us their hopes. I don't take lightly the act of doing that for the world to see. An honour I will always hold. Thank you for trusting me as one of your judges."

"To those who unleashed a new level of my tears, heavily pregnant with Baby Idols garnering for Wooden Mic, thank you for the laughter and joy."

"I can never thank you enough Anneke, for making that call asking me to join the Idols family. Gav and Prozza thank you for trusting me with such a great responsibility. One that would form part of the narrative and soundtrack of our souls as a people. You changed my life and that of my family."

"To MultiChoice, how humbling that you continue to make every boy and girl believe in themselves no matter which corner they come from, including me. To every special being who has given to the brilliance of the show. It has been a true honour being part of the family. And to the new members of our family. Good luck."

"Thank you to each and every one of you for pushing me to be the very best version of myself every Sunday for eleven years."

Mzansi Magic said it's not ready to announce the new Idols judges.

ALSO READ: Mzansi Magic and [SIC] Entertainment dump Idols judges Randall Abrahams and Unathy Nkayi before season 18 auditions start on Sunday.

ALSO READ: M-Net's Mzansi Magic channel and [SIC] Entertainment plan to bring back controversial Somizi Mhlongo as judge for Idols season 18 and to drop Unathi Nkayi - report

ALSO READ: Mzansi Magic abruptly axes Idols winner media briefing for season 17 after 19 years as ratings plunge.

ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. Why lazy M-Net's lackadaisical decision to drop the Idols winner Mzansi Magic media briefing damages DStv, Idols and South Africa's entertainment press. 

Mzansi Magic and [SIC] Entertainment dump Idols judges Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi before season 18 auditions start on Sunday.

by Thinus Ferreira

In a shocking and unexplained move, Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and [SIC] Entertainment is dumping both Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi as judges for the upcoming 18th season of the struggling Idols reality show.

"The channel will not be renewing their contracts with for the upcoming season of the popular singing show," says Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director for local entertainment channels, in a statement issued late on Friday afternoon.

"We are taking a fresh approach to the judging panel to retain audiences and stay competitive in the Sunday night timeslot."

The axing of the long-serving Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi follows after Somizi Mhlongo departed in 2021 following serious allegations of physical abuse after which Idols immediately lost a third of its Sunday evening ratings on Mzansi Magic as viewers tuned out.

Unathi Nkayi also dented her public image in 2021 after she was engulfed in a scandal at the Kaya FM radio station and then fired following a verbal fight with fellow radio host Sizwe Dhlomo and was accused of trying to bully him.

Randall Abrahams was an Idols judge since the first season with Unathi Nkayi, then known as Unathi Msengana, who was added as a new judge from the 7th season in 2011, replacing Mara Louw.

Auditions for Idols season 18 start on Sunday 23 January with director and executive producer Gavin Wratten and co-producers Anneke de Ridder and ProVerb (Tebogo Thekisho).

"We salute these great icons of South African entertainment and thank them both for great innings on Idols," Shirley Adonisi says in the statement. "Randall and Unathi have demonstrated high levels of professionalism and made an impact on the South African entertainment scene that will continue to be felt for some time to come. We wish them well in their endeavours."

ALSO READ: M-Net's Mzansi Magic channel and [SIC] Entertainment plan to bring back controversial Somizi Mhlongo as judge for Idols season 18 and to drop Unathi Nkayi - report

ALSO READ: Mzansi Magic abruptly axes Idols winner media briefing for season 17 after 19 years as ratings plunge.

ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. Why lazy M-Net's lackadaisical decision to drop the Idols winner Mzansi Magic media briefing damages DStv, Idols and South Africa's entertainment press. 

INTERVIEW. Idols executive producer Gavin Wratten on the 16th season starting on Mzansi Magic, introducing online auditions, a record-number of golden tickets for Theatre Week, and adding a screen for the judges' desk because of Covid.

by Thinus Ferreira

The 16th season of the reality singing competition show Idols will start on Sunday, 2 August, on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) at 17:30 and will look as always for the audition episodes filmed earlier this year although the production has also been impacted in 2020 by the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic, as is everything in South Africa's TV and film industry.

"Mzansi Magic is proud to continue to provide a platform for new stars to be discovered and for talent to be unearthed," says Nomsa Philiso, director of local entertainment channels at M-Net.

"This year's Idols, dubbed 'Sweet 16', will be ‘more than just a show’. This should set the stage for our contestants and the show to reach new highs."

Back are the three Idols judges Randall Abrahams, Unathi Nkayi and Somizi Mhlongo.

Idols will start by showing the nationwide auditions that took place and that were filmed in Cape Town, Pretoria, Durban and Johannesburg before the national Covid-19 lockdown period started.

"As we turn 16, your living room will, from this Sunday, transform into front row seats of the biggest entertainment spectacle, enough to make you forget about your lockdown woes," says Gavin Wratten, executive producer and director of SIC Entertainment.

In a statement Mzansi Magic and Idols says that "All the requisite health guidelines will be put in place ahead of all the live shows, and the cast and crew will ensure that social distancing, sanitising of hands and venues with adequate ventilation will be used for this year’s showpiece."

TVwithThinus spoke with Gavin Wratten about this year's 16th season.


How will Idols be different for the 16th season?
Gavin Wratten: The first and foremost thing is that Idols is all about the contestants. 

Every year the contestants and their stories are what makes the show different. One thing that we had done differently is that we introduced online auditions this year and we had such a huge response - it was amazing.

From a talent point of view we've been really, really lucky. We've actually had a record-number of golden tickets handed out for Theatre Week. So talent-wise it's going to be really, really impressive.

Were you surprised by how well people would send in auditions and what was the quality?
Gavin Wratten: The reason we did online auditions is because we always get people asking "Why did you come to our city?" and it's just that it's financially impossible to travel and to go to every city in the country.

So that's why we did it. But also we knew that it could generate a huge response, so we actually made the online auditions very, very simple. All that people had to do was send in a verse and a chorus of a song and just fill in some data about themselves and how they can be contacted. They didn't have to do much more than just sing.

We had thousands and thousands of entries. We weren't too worried about what it looked like or how interesting it was. We really just wanted to hear the auditions and we then chose the best to come and see the judges. Then we told their story once they were on the set.

Until where did the 16th season get to when the Covid-19 shutdown started? Until when will it still look "normal" or familiar to how viewers used to see Idols on TV?
Gavin Wratten: Actually Idols is going to look pretty normal all the way through on Mzansi Magic.

What happened is that we shot all of the major crowds. All of the nationwide auditions were finished, but not everybody had seen the judges.

It's interesting because we've got some episodes where we filmed all of the crowds and people seeing the judges, and then other episodes where we've got the crowds but then we got shut down because of Covid-19 and then we had to wait until lockdown was over and then we filmed their auditions before the judges.

The only difference really that people are going to see is that we've put social distancing screens up on the judges' desk. In front of camera you don't see much difference, but it's obviously all of the stuff behind-the-scenes - the screening, the sanitising, the social distancing - the stuff that you don't really see on camera.

Viewers watching Idols on Mzansi Magic are not going to see a much of difference.

When did you realise that Covid-19 is no longer just a China-related and international news story but will really practically impact what you do this year and Idols and your business?
Gavin Wratten: Funny enough, when it started happening, we had filmed some of the mass auditions already. We shot the crowds and then as a team we sat and said "you know what, this is something that could become a problem".

We started putting in processes in where we're santising even before it became the norm. So we actually started quite early.

As a business it affected everybody. When we travelled, when we transported contestants we used to do them in busses, now we can't do that and can't have that many people, so lots of smaller vehicles with few people in them.

So our transport costs have gone up, accommodation costs have gone up because we used to get people to share during Theatre Week, now we can't do that. So, those practical things have been challenging but the ability for people to sing and making a show has not changed.


Mzansi Magic's sister channel kykNET's had to take a break for the second season of its Maak My Famous talent search show done from GrandWest casino in Cape Town and postponed it for a while and is starting again from 8 August but shows won't have a live audience anymore. Is it possible yet to say how Idols might play out when it gets to the live Sunday performances or are you waiting until closer to the time?
Gavin Wratten: We've done a couple of scenarios and worked out what we would do in different circumstances but I think it is too early to make a decision.

The lockdown levels, rules and circumstances are changing sometimes on a weekly basis. We thought that we can't come up with a scenario for every single possible situation.

We've got some ideas and we are waiting to see what happens and then closer to the time we will implement whichever one suits what the South African government's lockdown measures are by then.

Does Idols get overseas directives saying "you must do this, you must do that", or suggestions, for instance what from American Idol's last season that readjusted and ended during Covid-19 with remote performances will Idols maybe incorporate into the 16th season of Idols?
Gavin Wratten: Every year we keep in contact with Fremantle anyway as the format holders. We normalle deal with the British producers because that is where Fremantle is based.

We have had discussions with them as to what people in different countries are doing. What everybody realise is that every country is different and the situation is different.

We told them about a couple of ideas that we want to implement and they've liked our suggestions and they make suggestions about what other people are doing. But we've all agreed with Fremantle in the United Kingdom that we'll wait and see and as we get closer, we'll all agree on what we're going to do.

When Zoom exploded and online grocery ordering and delivery, I thought of Idols because you already have this huge second-screen engagement with your audience - they watch and vote and comment.
 In a sense Idols was a precursor to the times, it already created this community that exists from a distance but also closely in real-time through their phones. Every year you get higher and higher votes and interactive engagement. Do you think this will grow and expand further this year as people stay home more, and more people buy data? How do you think audience interaction might evolve further this season?

Gavin Wratten: Primarily our platform is Mzansi Magic and it will stay that way.

Every year we produce and introduce new social media elements around it, and depending again on what happens around the national lockdown situation in South Africa, we will look at maybe introducing more social media within the show itself.

All of it depends on the lockdown and what level of lockdown and what the rules and regulations are around that. We're always looking for innovative ways to include the audiences in as many ways as possible.


Idols season 16 starts on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Sunday 2 August 2020 at 17:30

After 18 years Idols allows you to sing from your bedroom – but for 48 hours only.

by Thinus Ferreira

After 18 years Idols is finally allowing contestants to sing from their bedrooms: For 48 hours only, the 16th season of the reality singing competition is accepting online audition videos from midnight tonight.

For the first time ever, the Fremantle format show done by [SIC] Entertainment for M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and executive produced by Gavin Wratten and Tebogo Thekisho (ProVerb), is extending the Idols talent search online beyond the traditional main South African cities.

People, especially those living in remote areas, will be able to send in an online audition from tomorrow from wherever they might be living.

No additional pop-up auditions will be held in smaller cities this year, with the production opting for the first-ever online video auditions following the way other M-Net produced shows like Survivor SA and others have switched to online audition videos only.

From midnight on Tuesday, 25 February South Africans between 16 and 30 years old can enter a 30-second singing video online at www.idolssa.tv until midnight on Thursday, 27 February.

No talking and no introductions should be included - video snippets should strictly be singing only and without using any musical instruments so that the selectors can hear the voice as clearly as possible. "Make sure that you look and sound like an Idol," says the show.

People who want to enter an online signing video can sing anything and successful candidates will get an email back from the producers telling them if their online audition was successful or not. Successful candidates will then get a chance to sing before the Idols judges in person.

Good news is that people who have already audition in person at one of the city venues for Idols can enter the online auditions again if they want to. The Idols city auditions process is wrapping up with the Johannesburg leg that remains and will take place at Carnival City on 7 March.

M-Net's Mzansi Magic abruptly backtracks on promises to publicly release the Idols season 15 Top 10 voting results as it promised to do and did in the past.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net is abruptly backtracking on its decision to release the voting results for the just-completed 15th season of Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) with the channel that suddenly no longer wants to release the voting statistics and percentages of the Top 10 contestants as it promised to do.

M-Net, Mzansi Magic and Idols previously released the Idols voting tallies for the Top 10 weeks after the conclusion of a season.

Over 186 million votes were cast during the 15th season, 36 million of which during the last week, which were both new series records.

Shirley Adonisi, acting Mzansi Magic channel head, as well as Gavin Wratten, Idols co-executive producer at [SIC] Entertainment producing the singing reality competition, again promised at the post-finale press conference of the 15th season that the Idols voting results will be released publicly after the conclusion of the season.

The 15th season, won by Luyolo Yiba, was once again mired in controversy with scandal that swirled over alleged "vote rigging" after the Top 10 Idols contestant Virginia Qwabe was eliminated for having the least number of votes.

The elimination of Virginia saw her twin Viggy Qwabe quit the show during the same episode amidst a behind-the-scenes physical fight and altercation with a Mzansi Magic publicist that saw police support called in.

Angry supporters of Viggy and Virginia Qwabe claimed that vote tampering was happening and demanded that independent auditors re-audit the votes.

At the post-finale press conference, Gavin Wratten was asked what Idols is going to do to improve the credibility of the voting process under the public.

"Mzansi Magic handles the voting with auditors and we've been doing it the same for every season and it's a really well-controlled, well-done process. All of the results will ultimately be made public," Gavin Wratten promised about Idols season 15's voting results at the press conference.

"I don't think there's a better way to do it. It's totally above board. What's interesting though is that generally everybody is very, very happy with the voting process until they get voted out. To put the authenticity of the voting process in question because you went out is unfair," Gavin Wratten said.

Shirley Adonisi and Gavin Wratten were asked during the press conference why Mzansi Magic and Idols don't release the specific weekly voting results publicly after episodes. They said they always do it after the conclusion of a season in order not to spoil or influence the voting process.

"The reason we don't put it out during the competion is because we don't want to disadvantage a contestant," Gavin Wratten said. "If we put it out and said 'This week so-and-so has got the least amount of votes', people might go "I won't vote' but maybe they had a good performance and could have gotten a lot of votes."

"Likewise if we say who's in the lead, people go 'Ag, I don't have to worry about them because they're in the lead'. That is why traditionally on Idols and worldwide they don't show the percentages during the production but then afterwards Mzansi Magic releases the audited results."

Since last week Thursday and for the past week Mzansi Magic was asked repeatedly in multiple media enquiries for the usual voting statistics breakout and percentages of the Idols Top 10 contestants that Mzansi Magic promised would be released and that was released afterwards in the past for previous seasons.

Philly Kubheka, Mzansi Magic spokesperson, suddenly backtracked on the release of the season 15 Idols voting results and told TVwithThinus on Thursday morning that "the voting results will not be issued to any media and no exceptions can be made".

She didn't respond when asked why Mzansi Magic and [SIC] Entertainment announced at the press conference that the voting results would be released and why the channel no longer wants to make it public as in previous years.

MultiChoice was also asked in a media enquiry on Thursday morning for comment from the pay-TV operator as to why the M-Net supplied channel is backtracking on the promised public release of the Top 10 Idols voting statistics. MultiChoice didn't respond at the time of publication but its response will be added when received.

Viggy Qwabe quits 15th season of Idols after twin sister Virginia gets cut; Mzansi Magic denies allegations of bullying and physical violence behind the scenes of reality singing show.

The Idols contestant Viggy Qwabe decided to quit the 15th season of the reality singing show on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) after her twin sister Virginia Qwabe got eliminated on the Top 5 episode on Sunday night.

Viggy's voluntary exit after a discussion with the production company [SIC ] Entertainment and the M-Net run channel, means that nobody will be eliminated from Idols at the end of this coming Sunday's Top 4 episode.

Idols as a South African version of the Fremantle format show, is executive produced by Gavin Wratten and Tebogo Thekisho (ProVerb) who is also the presenter. 

Meanwhile rumours have been swirling about alleged bullying and physical violence in the Idols house where the contestants are staying but this has been refuted by M-Net who said that there was no bullying or any physical altercations.

"From the beginning of their Idols journey, the twins, Viggy and Virginia have always said they are in this together. After lengthy discussions, Viggy who still remained in the Idols competition post the elimination episode has decided to exit the competition," says Philly Kubheka, the head of publicity for Mzansi Magic.

"We would like to wish both Viggy Qwabe and Virginia Qwabe all the best in their career as they are both extremely talented."

Philly Kubheka explained that the Qwabe twins, their family, the production company and Mzansi Magic met after the show on Sunday night to "formalise" Viggy's official decision to quit the show.

"Mzansi Magic would like to advise all Idols fans to note that all voting lines have been closed for this round and there will be no elimination in the upcoming episode," the channel said.

About allegations of bullying behind-the-scenes, Philly Kubheka said that "we would like to state that we are aware of fake accounts that are posting on social media as the contestants which have been reported to our anti-piracy team and that there was no bullying or any physical altercations among contestants in the house".

Micayla Oelofse, Luyolo Yiba, Nolo Seodisha and Sneziey Msomi remain in the show that will see the Idols live finale take place on 17 November at Carnival City in Johannesburg.

Idols on Mzansi Magic once again shakes up the status quo for the exciting 15th season, as [SIC] Entertainment again makes some big changes.

TVwithThinus reporting on location: Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) is once again shaking up the status quo with the long-running reality singing competition show that will once again upend expectations for the new 15th season.

Some very big changes are in store for the so-called and feared "Hell Week" or Theatre Week, where the the top selected contestants from across South Africa come together and meet as a big group for the first time, train and prepare, and must then sing for their lives before they're either cut or selected in brutal fashion for the final group that will start doing live Sunday performances.

Set for broadcast during the first half of August on Mzansi Magic, the Theatre Week episodes were recorded this week by [SIC] Entertainment, with the production once again changing things up.

At this point TVwithThinus can't reveal anything seen and experienced the last few days, suffice to say it will once again not be anything that viewers have seen in previous Idols seasons.

The producers are once again changing things with presenter and co-executive producer ProVerb once again ready with some big curveballs for the contestants from across South Africa who arrive and must prove their mettle before the judges Randall Abrahams, Somizi and Unathi Nkayi.

TVwithThinus spent hours this week on set, on location with Idols with the production that is once again working hard to ensure that there are multiple surprises in store for the contestants as well as for viewers during the eye-popping 15th season.

Of course the contestants also ensure planned and unplanned surprises.

With record ratings and record voting statistics that keep increasing, the 15th season of Idols on Mzansi Magic looks destined to once again improve on the performance of previous years.

Johannesburg auditions for Idols' 15th season on Mzansi Magic lures contestants queuing and sleeping from the night before, ready to sing in Pokemon slippers.

Saturday's Johannesburg auditions for the 15th season of Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) that took place at the Ellis Park Arena saw contestants travel from other provinces, arriving and queuing from the night before, ready for their moment in the spotlight in front of the judges - even wearing Pokemon slippers.

Ipeleng Ngake (16) was first in line on Saturday with the Grade 9 pupil who got to Ellis Park at 05:00 on Friday morning - the day before the auditions - driving all the way from Bloemhof in the North West province.

Ipeleng Ngake auditioned for the first time, singing Ed Sheeran's "Thinking out Loud".

"I love to sing and I couldn't wait to turn 16 so that I can enter the competition," she said.

Idols, a Fremantle format show produced by [SIC] Entertainment with co-executive producers Gavin Wratten and ProVerb (Tebogo Thekisho who is also the presenter), is fresh off another record-breaking season, fueling ongoing surging interest from ordinary South Africans in the 15th season set for broadcast on Mzansi Magic later this year.

Gcobani Matiyase (25) from Alexandra also queued on Saturday, also for his first time to audition for Idols. The sales consultant also joined the long line from 19:00 the previous night, with his friend, and slept in the line to sing Rihanna's "Take a Bow" for the Idols judges the next day.

Pilusa (right), also known as "Nkupi The Entertainer" was Superman when he auditioned in the 14th season of Idols. 

He returned on Saturday as "The Diva", dressed in Pokemon slippers. Pilusa (25) from Seshego is a student and entertainer.

Morgan Trevelyan (26) on Saturday did her 7th audition for Idols.

The mother of a 3-year old from Randburg is a DJ and owns a T-Shirt printing company. 

"I have never made it any further in the competition, and with my love for music, I would like to get to the top 16," said Morgan Trevelyan. 

She sang "The Cup Song" from the film Pitch Perfect for the Idols judges.

The Wedding Bashers weigh in before tonight's second season finale as M-Net says the broadcaster is considering more of the special 'give-back' wedding episodes.

The celebrities judging the various weddings on The Wedding Bashers weighed in on the second season before the broadcast of the second season finale on Sunday at 18:00 on M-Net (DStv 101), with the pay-TV broadcaster saying that besides a possible third season, it's definitely looking at doing more of the special "give-back" episodes.

Jason Greer, who will be the host of The Bachelor SA starting on 14 February on M-Net and produced by Rapid Blue, is also the presenter of the second season finale of The Wedding Bashers produced by [SIC] Entertainment, that was filmed as a pre-recorded, live-to-tape episode on Thursday evening with a live studio audience at Urban Brew Studios in Johannesburg.

In this evening's second season finale, the top 5 couples return who got the highest scores from the bashers, with the couple who received the most votes from viewers who will win fantastic prizes including cash, jewellery and a sponsored fantasy island honeymoon to the Seychelles.

The second season of The Wedding Bashers, a hugely popular original concept production, was changed to feature one wedding per episode, as well as an amended leaderboard to show the scores from the experts with Bernelee Daniell and Zola Nene who replaced Cindy Nell and Siba Mtongana.

"I enjoyed being part of people's love stories because I love going to weddings, and secondly to have done this with the three other bashers. They are like friends that have become family," fashionista and former Miss SA Bernelee Daniell told TVwithThinus before the recording on Thursday night of the second season finale.

"When there were long periods between weddings, we would really miss each other. We would go: 'When's our next wedding?"

"I've learnt a lot about weddings - especially from the other bashers - like Zavion who taught us what an oasis, the wet floral foam, is and how you're not supposed to see an oasis, Denise with entertainment, Zola with food - I really, really learnt a lot about how a wedding should run smoothly. Heaven forbid I ever get married again, I'd know what to do," said Bernelee Daniell.

"From us travelling to weddings to the bantering that goes on in the car, to the bantering in hair and makeup, to the mischief that we get up to at weddings, I could never single out a favourite moment with any of them. I had the best time."

Zavion Kotze, wedding planner, said "we got along so well; love the two new bashers, they're like family".

About the second season following after the special give-back episodes in which the bashers organised and put together weddings for special, deserving South Africans, Zavion Kotze said "it was weird not organising weddings anymore, and I really miss them; and as for the wedding we did go to they were just so much fun."

"It was an eclectic mix of couples this season and that's what I liked the most because it was a huge variety."

Was there something new the celebrity wedding maestro learnt about weddings and doing them? "I didn't see anything in the second season that I learnt new, I often find that people do what is currently on trend and I like to think that sometimes I think ahead of trend, but all the couples did amazingly and I'm super happy with what I saw, and I think the couples had fun. I hope none of them hates me."

"The road trips were the best," said Zavion Kotze when asked for his favourite moment between the celebrity bashers.

"The jokes that happened on the road and those hours and hours spent in car rides are the best stories that you just can't retell for obvious reasons. But just getting to know each other was the best part of everything."

Celebrity chef Zola Nene told TVwithThinus that "what I enjoyed the most about this season was being part of people's love stories and just to witness their love for each other. And working with my fellow bashers has been such a ride, I had so much fun".

"I keep saying to people the fact that I can call going to weddings and having fun a job is like a dream, really, so I've loved every minute."

"What I've learnt is that people don't seem to realise how important a part the food is at a wedding. They seem to trials and taste cakes and do all of that stuff, but they never actually taste-test the food. So they're always surprised at their wedding when the food is bad which is so bizarre to me because it's an important part - it's something that people remember."

Asked about the funniest part for her this season Zola Nene said "was watching Denise reacting to the bird - I cried laughing. I mean, I'm scared of a bird too but the way that she was scared of the bird was insane. We had so many fun moment and we do have many laughs."

About the season's changes, Kaye-Ann Williams, M-Net's head of local content, said that "when you do come up with these local original productions, you're constantly tweaking it from season to season and looking at what worked and what viewers' responses were".

"We also did a focus group as well throughout the country so we got a lot of feedback on the first season of The Wedding Bashers. About a possible third season what we do is we look at the ratings, we look at our schedule, we look at our budget and then we'll make a decision about a season 3."

Kaye-Ann Williams said she was in love with The Wedding Bashers special episodes "probably because I got married as a poor student with R10 000, so you understand how difficult it is and how cash-strapped you are and how important the day is. So what the focus of the specials are is really giving a wedding to people who really need it."

"I think M-Net will definitely consider doing that again; it's such a feel-good thing to do but it's not without drama and conflict and entertainment."


ALSO READ: IN IMAGES. Photos from behind-the-scenes of the second season finale of The Wedding Bashers on M-Net.
ALSO READ: Humble Port Alfred couple, Megan and Jason Sharrock, wins the second season of The Wedding Bashers on M-Net.

142 million votes: Why the record-breaking Idols keeps growing as the [sic] Entertainment produced singing reality competition show on Mzansi Magic prepares for its 15th season.

Renewed for a 15th season in 2019, the record-breaking Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) keeps barreling full-steam ahead with TV ratings surging and surreal growth in voting numbers as the singing reality competition show surpassed 142 million votes - a new overall record - for the just-concluded 14th season.

After 16 years and 14 seasons since 2002, turn over the can labelled Idols and you won't find an expiry date listing any sell-by year in its second decade on the air.

In fact, Idols that's keeping up its simply phenomenal growth in ratings, voting and social media viewer engagement, has become a true tone example of how a carefully-crafted TV show, slowly but steadily nurturing its audience, can increase and leverage the power of that viewership to greater and greater commercial success.

Idols, a Fremantle format show produced by [sic] Entertainment with co-executive producers Gavin Wratten and ProVerb (Tebogo Thekosho who is also the presenter), continues to ride the crest of the combined waves of growth in pay-TV households, the ongoing expansion of the black middle class in South Africa, smartphone ownership and increased broadband data penetration.

All combined - and through knowing the audience and giving them exactly what they want - Idols has established itself as true tentpole television, making viewers not just feel as if they have a real voice in its democracy-in-action voting mechanics but by literally shaping a carefully choreographed secular version of a Sunday evening church-going experience - one where "pastor" ProVerb as presenter holds sway.

With its now firmly-established formulaic fame-making liturgy set down to the smallest unwavering details - viewers for instance getting equal-parts frustrated and elated in anticipation over things like ProVerb dragging out dramatic announcements with "after the commercial break" and with just enough minor variance in-between to keep things ever-unpredictable - Idols has created the template for a communal shared TV experience in the social media age.

The big Idols winners are M-Net, Mzansi Magic, and the in-show advertisers and sponsors who not only get a dedicated, captive audience but a growing and dynamically active captive audience. Idols viewers don't just watch the show - they live it, and as they live it, they spread it.

"Idols is the biggest talent platform in the country and keeps producing amazing talent. Gavin and ProVerb have done an amazing job. I look forward to Idols' 15th season," said Reneilwe Sema, the director of local entertainment channels at M-Net, just after Sunday's 2-hour 14th season Idols live finale that was broadcast on Mzansi Magic.

TVwithThinus asked Gavin Wratten right after Sunday's finale broadcast what he makes of the show's massive ongoing voting growth, for context about the latest Idols voting records and how he feels about Idols going from 83 million votes in 2016, to 98 million in 2017, and 142 million votes in 2018.

"Last year we were all blown away when we got 98 million votes and I don't think we ever thought we would get anywhere close to that for the season. 98 million was amazing," said Gavin Wratten.

"So ProVerb and I chatted and we said at the beginning of the 14th season let's just throw it out there, let's just try break a 100 million."

"And now, 142 million votes later, really I have no words. It's just unbelievable."

Idols already surpassed the total 98 million votes of the entire previous 13th season by the penultimate Sunday broadcast last week. That was when the total votes cast reached 110 million. What it means it that by Sunday a week ago, Idols already had 12 million votes more than the entire previous season. And the final week was still to come.

Then viewers cast another additional 32.5 million votes during the final broadcast week of Idols, that brought the total to just over 142 million votes for the entire 14th season.

Meanwhile viewership for Idols' 14th season is up by roughly half a million viewers over the previous 13th season - an astounding achievement for a show that viewers have to pay to watch.

Rating wise Idols at 1.55 million viewers during October for its most-watched episode on Mzansi Magic for the month lured more total viewers to the pay-TV channel than what the entire SABC3 as a free-to-air channel get: In October SABC3's top show was its weekday soap Isidingo with 1 020 712 viewers.

In fact, on the entire MultiChoice DStv pay-TV service Idols is the 3rd highest-rated show, behind just The Queen and Our Perfect Wedding - both Mzansi Magic shows on the same channel that's available to just DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact subscribers.

Idols that has been renewed for its 15th season, will start auditions in January 2019.

Auditions will take place on:
26 January 2019 – Pretoria, State Theatre
9 February 2019 – Durban, North Beach Amphitheatre
16 February 2019 – Johannesburg, Ellis Park
2 March 2019 – Cape Town, Century City

Several factors work together that could likely see Idols viewership and voting increase again.

From March 2019 an "unused roll-over data" rule will come into effect for cellular operators that could see consumers have access to more of their not yet used data before they lose it.

Elections will be held in South Africa in mid-2019, with the heightened social awareness around the importance of voting that could lead to an uptick in general voting behaviour elsewhere, for instance Idols.

Meanwhile smartphone sales, smartphone use, data use, and DStv subscriptions - especially of DStv Compact - in South Africa all keep growing despite a struggling economy, adding to the base elements fuelling Idols success.

Lastly, almost unnoticeably, Idols is ticking younger in winners - and that undoubtedly means an ongoing broadening of the audience.

It doesn't mean that the Idols audience is getting younger, but it means that more younger viewers are watching, and those younger viewers act as a tether to bring more other viewers with them, making the audience larger.

As viewers relate to, and identify with who they see on screen and reflect them, the inclusion of more younger top participants and steadily getting younger winners means that it's drawing in more younger viewers.

These younger viewers cause other family members to tune in as well for the viewing experience - people who might not have watched Idols but then follow the show.

Parents and older family members tend to watch what their children and younger family members watch, choose the TV to be tuned to and consider to be cool - a viewing trend that doesn't work the other way around.

Over the past four years since the show's transition to Mzansi Magic the Idols winner's age has steadily crept downwards from 30 (2014), 24 (2015), 22 (2016), 17 (2017) and 17 (2018) - an unmistakable trend line if you look closely.


ALSO READ: Idols winner Yanga Sobetwa on her life’s vision, big dreams including a PhD and starting a music academy – and 'freezing' her R1 million prize money.
ALSO READ: Idols runner-up Thato Makape: 'All of us in Postmasburg are winners because we came second in the greatest music competition show.'
ALSO READ: Yanga Sobetwa (17) from Delft the season 14 Idols winner as the show pulls a record-setting 142 million votes.
ALSO READ: Season 13: As Idols on Mzansi Magic continues to grow its viewership and voting, M-Net says Idols' voting engagement is now as important as ratings.

Yanga Sobetwa (17) from Delft the season 14 Idols winner as the show pulls a record-setting 142 million votes.

Yanga Sobetwa (17) from Delft in Cape Town on Sunday night was announced the winner of the 14th season of Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) with the hit series produced by [sic] Entertainment that was renewed for a 15th season and pulled a new record-setting 142 million votes for the season.

Yanga Sobetwa becomes the second consecutive contestant from the Western Cape to win the title after last year's Paxton Fielies.

"I can't put into words how I feel right now, but I can say it in song," said a shocked Yanga Sobetwa a few seconds after her name was called, before bursting into a gratitude chorus in the 14th season finale that was a live broadcast done from Carnival City, Johannesburg.

The Big Top Arena music spectacular included pyrotechnics, motorbikes, a jungle feel, protests, a riot of colour and a glimpse of an Africa reimagined with guest performances by DJ Black Coffee, DJ Tira, AKA, Okmalumkoolkat, Prince Bulo, Kid X, Kwesta, Mlindo, Kwesta, Thabsie and Sfeesoh performed, along with Paxton Fielies.

"Idols season 14 has beaten all our expectations; surpassing a 100 million votes is a landmark achievement for reality TV in this country," says Gavin Wratten, director and executive producer, [sic] Entertainment.


ALSO READ: Idols winner Yanga Sobetwa on her life’s vision, big dreams including a PhD and starting a music academy – and 'freezing' her R1 million prize money.
ALSO READ: Idols runner-up Thato Makape: 'All of us in Postmasburg are winners because we came second in the greatest music competition show.' 
ALSO READ: 142 million votes: Why the record-breaking Idols keeps growing as the [sic] Entertainment produced singing reality competition show on Mzansi Magic prepares for its 15th season.

Yanga Sobetwa and Thato Makape: It’s Youngest vs Oldest in Idols’ record-setting season 14 final face-off on Mzansi Magic this Sunday: 'It's all about the contestants,' says executive producer Gavin Wratten.

It will be youngest versus oldest in this coming Sunday's season 14 live finale of Idols on Mzansi Magic at 17:00 when Yanga Sobetwa will face off against Thato Makape in a hugely compelling climax for the reality singing competition that producers this year couldn't have scripted even if they tried.

While not yet officially announced as renewed for a 15th season, it's virtually 100% guaranteed that Idols will  be back for a 15th season in 2019 on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on the back of huge ratings and massive, record-setting voting and viewer social media interaction that combined, continues to propel the show into new, stratospheric heights on Sunday evenings and that makes M-Net corner office executives in Randburg smile.

Idols, produced by [SIC] Entertainment, hauled in a staggering and record-breaking 110 million votes so far during the 14th season, with nearly 22 million during the past week - an unbelievable number of votes for a TV show broadcast on any channel - let alone a pay-TV channel.

With a week to go until the end, the 110 million votes so far already far surpassed the 100 million votes there were in total for the 13th season.

Meanwhile the two utterly compelling real-life contestant narratives couldn't be more alluringly perfect for a reality singing competition such as Idols, even if it could be scripted.

With the season 14 live finale looming on Sunday, on the one hand there is Yanga Sobetwa - at 17 the youngest contestant from the top 10 this season.

From Delft outside Cape Town, Yanga Sobetwa lives just a stone's throw away from the season 13 winner last year, Paxton Fielies, who have found huge success the past year, continue to sing to sellout crowds and even performed for the queen of Sweden in April.

On the other hand there's Thato Makape, at 24 the oldest contestant from the top 10 this season.

From the small town of Postmasburg in the Northern Cape, the young barber who left school in Grade 11 to help his sick mom, holds the record for longest traveller to an Idols audition after he journeyed a staggering 1 250km over days - using buses and taxis and all his money - to get to Cape Town for the auditions in February.

Both have their singles out - Yanga Sobetwa with her "Scars (All Over Me)", and Thato Makape with his "Blow by Blow".

"On all of the aspects of this show, Idols has become this fine-tuned racing car, and every week is a new race and we fine-tune it a little bit more. We learn from that race, and we do a little bit more and do a little bit more," Gavin Wratten, executive producer and director told TVwithThinus during a sit-down interview.

"Production wise the success of Idols is really just an emulation of experience and saying to ourselves that if we did that, we will look even better; if we did this, if we added that."

"We do try and bring in new tech every season. There's a couple of new light fixtures in the rig, with brighter lights; more intelligent lights, and we're doing some stuff with camera technology as well."

About the jaw-dropping, juggernaut voting results that keep growing week by week, Gavin Wratten says "it's one of the most exciting things for me every week".

"The contestants get excited about who's in and who's out. For me, it's like, 'How many votes did we get?' I'm always just blown away".

"If you compare the number of votes Idols gets compared to other shows that have voting it's just astounding and we're miles ahead. It's a rewarding feeling because you're putting in so much hard work, 7 days a week, and the viewers are rewarding us by saying 'Yes, we're enjoying it".

Asked how the 14th season of Idols has been different so far, Gavin Wratten says "I know I say this every year but it really is all about the contestants".

"This was a lovely group. They all get on very well, they are all very young, but they get on very well, they've been a pleasure to have around. They've been easy to work with, and they're also been eager to learn - I think that's such an important part."

"For me it's just about how much they want to work and do this, and how passionate they are, and how willing they are to push themselves. I think sometimes if you're very young, you've got to be careful about the songs that you choose if you're not willing to go to that place, but they've all been incredibly good."

About snagging big-name artists doing surprise guest-performances, the logistically massive overseas jaunt and the live season finale spectacular that year after year constantly raises the bar, Gavin Wratten says "I'd like to say it gets easier but it actually doesn't because you're always trying to make it better".

"You push yourself to make it better, so those things that were easy last year they're not going to be easy this year because you're going to be doing them differently. So there are always going to be curveballs."

No snakes in the second season of M-Net's wedding reality competition show, The Wedding Bashers, promises Zavion Kotze.

Viewers will have to make sure they get to the church on time for the second season of The Wedding Bashers starting today on M-Net (DStv 101) at 18:00, with judge Zavion Kotze promising more diverse weddings - without snakes.

The second season of The Wedding Bashers, produced by [SIC] Entertainment, has some format changes, following after the first season as well as a special 4-episode miniseries The Wedding Bashers: With Love, in which the judges became organisers to surprise deserving couples across South Africa and helped them to get the wedding day of the dreams.

The decor-guru and resident "headboy" Zavion Kotze is back, along with "entertainment specialist" Denise Zimba, as well as the chef and food stylist Zola Nene judging the food, and the former Miss South Africa Bernelee Daniell, who will be weighing in on the fashion and style of the weddings.

Zola Nene and Bernelee Daniell replaced Siba Mtongana and Cindy Nell during the 4-episode With Love specials and continue on in the second season.

The second season of The Wedding Bash(ers) is also introducing a new spinning rating wheel representing levels such as "OMG Amazing" and "Ho Hum".

On top of the rating wheel, the judges will also rate each wedding with an overall experience score at the end of each episode that, when added together, will determine the top 5 weddings that make it to the finale of the competition.

The Wedding Bashers was conceptualised by Gavin Wratten, with Gavin Wratten and ProVerb (Tebogo Thekisho) as executive producers.

The second season of The Wedding Bashers on M-Net will have 15 episodes, as well as a 16th live finale with viewers who are going to be choosing the winning couple of the second season.

The couple that receives the best viewer rating from the bashers walks off with the title of Wedding of the Season and will unwrap some amazing wedding gifts.

The winning couple will take home a R250 000 cash prize from M-Net, R100 000 worth of jewellery from Jack Friedman Jewellers and a 5-night second honeymoon from Seychelles Tourism worth R80 000.

The second season of The Wedding Bashers will also feature just one wedding couple per episode instead of the two in the first season.

"We want to give the audience more of a chance to get to know the couple - we felt that that was missing in season one. It's a great season," said Zavion Kotze.

Zavion Kotze spoke to the media and took questions after a special M-Net press screening for TV critics and press of the first episode of the second season this week held inside the MultiChoice City cinema auditorium in Randburg, Johannesburg.

Explaining the scoring changes, Zavion Kotze said "for the flower and decor, the fashion, the food or the entertainment it's no longer as 6.3 or a 5 - it's more a catchphrase wheel".

"And at the end of each episode it's different from the first season because you can see the overall experience is actually revealed to the viewer. So there's an actual leader board throughout the season where you can see how your favourite couple is doing, which is a nice added touch."

"Everything flows exceptionally easily in the second season because I think it's a format that now works and we kind of know what it is. It's much easier to have commentary and you can pinpoint what to comment on."

"Weddings are so different, each one of them that they just throw you with all kinds of different things,so I really have to say The Wedding Bashers is a show where the content is not directed or scripted, it happens organically and naturally which I think is a very nice thing about the show. It's going to be a great, great season."

TVwithThinus asked if, after switching to active agents as the organisers of weddings in the four-episode special The Wedding Bashers: With Love, is was difficult to go back to being passive judges of attending weddings the four bashers didn't help to organise, and had to suppress the urge to help.

"I always have to suppress the urge to help!" says Zavion Kotze. "There's always something I see that I would have done differently, or changed or assisted with, but obviously if you're judging you can't dabble."

"I think the girls got quite a shock as to how much work actually goes into planning and executing a wedding from the give-back With Love episodes we did. So I think they quite enjoyed just being judges again."

"The second season of The Wedding Bashers is a really, really lovely season. There are wonderful, diverse weddings - viewers will see a lot of different weddings - and no snakes. I really think viewers are going to respond to it."

Viewers will also be kept informed of the top five weddings throughout The Wedding Bashers' second season, with the leader board that will be updated weekly.