CORONAVIRUS. South Africa's TV commercials production biz loses staggering R1 billion due to Omicron travel bans, Cape Town TV advert summer filming season under threat with thousands of jobs in jeopardy.

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's TV ad production industry alone lost close to 200 confirmed and quoted TV commercial projects with a combined value of over R1 billion - projects that were abruptly swept away following the shocking travel bans that were imposed last month on the country after South Africa alerted the world of Covid-19's Omicron variant.

In addition Cape Town's traditional TV advert summer filming season for 2021 during which multiple TV commercials are filmed, is facing a dire threat with the potential loss of hundreds of projects employing thousands of people.

The Commercial Producers Association of South Africa (CPASA) did an industry-wide survey following the shocking travel bans implemented by various countries on South Africa after the country alerted the world to the Omicron variant, and found that the TV commercial production industry suffered a loss of over R1 billion.   

The CPASA survey revealed the devastating cost of the bans on South Africa's film, stills and commercial production sector with 122 confirmed TV advert projects which were cancelled with a collective value of R420 220 000. Another 162 projects under quote were lost with a collective value of R619 640 000.

"Even more concerning is the potential loss of hundreds of additional projects that would normally be produced during Cape Town's summer season which runs from October to April each year," CPASA says.

"The staggering losses already recorded could become the tip of the iceberg if the bans are not reversed soon." Our industry is in a state of shock and despair at recent developments.  We can only hope and pray that the situation improves soon."

The CPASA says that the Omicron variant and the resulting travel bans prohibiting travel to and from South Africa disrupted production in South Africa at the beginning of the country's highly anticipated summer commercial season.

"The CPASA hopes these travel bans are lifted soon and that international production can resume in South Africa in the near future. Production in the domestic industry continues with no additional restrictions and production companies adhering closely to all Covid-19 protocols."

The CPASA has sent a letter to the UK High Commissioner to South Africa on 7 December requesting that the British government "urgently consider reversing the travel bans" it implemented following the identification of the Omicron variant.

"Our industry is in a state of shock and despair at recent developments. We can only hope and pray that the situation improves soon," CPASA says.

Clive Morris Productions of ViacomCBS Networks Africa's Isono telenovela on BET Africa reveals 'exceptionally huge challenges' that the Covid-19 pandemic and shutdown caused.

by Thinus Ferreira

At an Isono wrap party for ViacomCBS Networks Africa's likely cancelled first telenovela on BET Africa (DStv 129) producers for the first time revealed the "exceptional huge challenges" that the Clive Morris Productions show faced because of Covid-19 and that it oddly never discussed or told the media during its actual production run.

At a wrap party in Illovo in Johannesburg in late November for Isono, it now came to light how the production struggled with Covid-19 challenges.

Clive Morris Productions, ViacomCBS Networks Africa and DNA Brand Architects didn't want to tell the media about the wrap party where executives spoke and didn't bother to involve media, although Isono, BET and ViacomCBS Networks Africa's publicity and marketing division were eager for media support during the show's run.

The Covid-19 challenges of Isono is something that the producers and ViacomCBS Networks Africa for whatever reasons didn't talk to media about during Isono's actual production or broadcast run and that would have been helpful for South Africa's film and TV industry to know at the time. 

Clive Morris who spoke at the event, reportedly said that "Covid is not something anybody could have predicted or planned for, so when you're working on a finite production budget, immediately when you have to start deviating in the way in which you produce it adds a lot of costs".

"So the very first thing was shutting down the production and trying to get some kind of timeline as to when we might be back in production. At that stage, nobody knew how long the first wave was gonna last, or the subsequent waves thereafter."

"Obviously Viacom being a global group, the American head office took a view around when they felt it would be safe for us to re-enter into production. And that was quite a lengthy period. We were off the floor for two months on the production."

"Through the partnership, Viacom was able to raise additional funds to help pay cast and crew retainers over the course of that time so that, you know, people still had income, which was an extra cost of production," Clive Morris said.

"Then because you're not producing the minutes per day, you still have got the running costs. And then over and above that we now had to start factoring in things like PPE, hiring additional space to be able to shift production off the sets so that we could social distance properly."

"We had to limit the number and rewrite scenes that would be deemed as unsafe Covid working environments, at that time."

"So all of that had an impact from the cost on the ground, we brought in a compliance company, which is a public safety company to do regular testing and to help us manage compliance on set.

"So all of these things were exceptional huge challenges that every producer had to work with across the board," Clive Morris said.

ALSO READ: After M-Net axed Legacy, SABC3’s The Estate and BET Africa’s Isono are likely also on the TV chopping block for cancellation.

ALSO READ: Coronavirus: Clive Morris Productions suspends filming on Isono as ViacomCBS Networks Africa and BET Africa's first South African produced telenovela because of growing Covid-19 pandemic.

CORONAVIRUS. MultiChoice implements mandatory Covid-19 vaccination policy, vaccinations now compulsory for all staffers and agents, as pay-TV operator orders staff back to the office by February 2022.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice has become the first large company within South Africa's film and TV industry to make Covid-19 vaccinations compulsory for all its staffers and agents, and is also ordering all staff to return to work from the office by February 2022 under a mandatory vaccine policy.

Last month TVwithThinus asked MultiChoice for instance running DStv, Showmax and the M-Net division; Media Holdings for instance running e.tv, eNCA, Openview and Sasani Studios; as well as the South African public broadcaster running the various SABC TV channels like SABC News, whether they would also follow the lead of companies like health Discovery Health, Netflix that made Covid-19 vaccinations mandatory for staff and productions.

MultiChoice, Media and the SABC didn't bother to respond to the media queries, and Netflix South Africa told TVwithThinus last month that it declines to comment.

Now MultiChoice Calvo Mawela in an internal memo is ordering all MultiChoice staffers to be and get Covid-19 vaccinated by 1 February 2022, and to return to the office.

"All MultiChoice South Africa employees and contractors will return to the office on 1 February 2022 on a rotational basis should the regulation still only permit 50% occupation. However, if the regulations permit 100% occupation, all employees will be required to report for duty as per their letters of appointment," Calvo Mawela told MultiChoice staffers.

"All parties must provide MultiChoice with proof of being fully vaccinated in the form of the official vaccine certificate issued by no later than 20 January 2022 to facilitate orderly and timely access to MultiChoice premises, starting on 1 February 2022."

Neither agents, contractors or any service providers will be allowed to enter or get access to any MultiChoice premises if they're not vaccinated by February 2022.

"A mandatory vaccine policy has become necessary for the full functioning of our business, and as such, all employees and service providers are expected to comply."

Calvo Mawela tells MultiChoice staffers that "People who are vaccinated are three times less likely to infect others and are also exponentially less likely to become extremely ill".

It's not immediately clear how MultiChoice's new mandatory vaccination policy will impact third-party providers and production companies who are technically service providers to DStv and M-Net, although it's very likely that the requirement of mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations will filter down to individual content channels and creators. 

Besides a staffer for instance working at the reception desk at MultiChoice's MultiChoice City headquarters in Randburg, it's logical to deduce that companies like producers and TV channels with a local content production footprint who are service providers to DStv and M-Net will be compelled to ensure that their casts and crews are now getting Covid-19 jabbed.

It will likely mean that staff working at eNCA or Newzroom Africa for instance, or the production crew on a show like Rapid Blue's Come Dine with Me South Africa for BBC Studios Africa's BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) channel or Stark Productions' Binnelanders done for kykNET (DStv 144), will have to show proof of a Covid-19 vaccination, similar to what Netflix is demanding in the United States and in Europe, since they are service providers.

While MultiChoice has said it is following strict Covid-19 safety protocols on-set for its various M-Net, Mzansi Magic, Africa Magic and kykNET productions in South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa, and that it supports the South African government's Covid-19 vaccination drive, MultiChoice has in reality been extremely lax in its cavalier approach and safety protocols.

Over the past few months, and still ongoing, MultiChoice has shown DStv subscribers numerous times that it doesn't practically adhere to Covid-19 safety rules on sets like mask wearing or proper social distancing, and also not during in-person media interactions (see here) (and here) (and here) with press in South Africa and across the African continent.

ALSO READ: CORONAVIRUS. South African broadcasters, MultiChoice and Netflix Africa quiet on mandatory Covid-19 vaccinations for staff, productions, studios and their buildings.

TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. Just another white wedding: MultiChoice and M-Net do hollow lip-service and PSAs about Covid-safety - but show DStv subscribers a whole other reality where a coronavirus pandemic apparently doesn't exist.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice and M-Net claim that the South African pay-TV service is doing Covid-19 safe TV productions; broadcast Covid-19 education and vaccination public service announcements; and say that social distancing and mask-wearing are important ...

... yet MultiChoice is constantly undoing and undercutting those very messages by showing DStv subscribers morally wrong, so-called "aspirational" entertainment content in which South Africans are seen doing the exact opposite of what is being preached.

What does MultiChoice and M-Net channels like kykNET (DStv 144) and Mzansi Magic (DStv 166) think DStv subscribers are more likely to do? 

Social distance and mask-up like MultiChoice says should happen in its PSAs, or going to mingle during Covid-19, partying it up and having a great time in close proximity to each other like MultiChoice and M-Net show them that the rich and famous are doing?

It's really beyond shocking that MultiChoice can't even bother in the slightest to even pretend to do masks and social distancing at it's own media events in South Africa and in other African countries where MultiChoice Africa does press events.

On Tuesday' at MultiChoice's atrocious media launch event for its DStv Internet service, people posed for photos, drank, laughed and apparently had a good time during Covid in Soweto - without masks and without any evident social distancing from the invited social influencers and others. 

As shocking, is that this is what MultiChoice wants the public to see.

There's no Covid in Soweto, people, just DStv Internet!

There were no masks and absolutely no social distancing between Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice South Africa CEO, and actress Nomsa Buthelezi at the media launch event of DStv Internet as if they themselves and MultiChoice don't have any role to play in the public to help model Covid-19 safe behaviour.

On Sunday night M-Net's kykNET channel once again covered a lovely white wedding on its Afrikaans Top Billing-esque Bravo! show produced by Homebrew Films - this time with presenter Willem Botha attending the oh-so-lovely "second" wedding and vow renewal ceremony of Kwêla presenter Pieter Koen.

Looking at the prism through which MultiChoice, M-Net and kykNET presented this wedding, you'd think it took place in a Covid-free alternate reality instead of Sasolburg. Apparently none of these lovely people at the wedding has Covid, could get Covid-19, or could give it to anyone else. It's a lovely white wedding, after all.

Broadcast and television executives at MultiChoice, M-Net, kykNET and Mzansi Magic are not stupid.

They've smart, extremely experienced people, very well versed in media theory. They know that when you create and broadcast aspirational content like Top Billing-type shows, that viewers watch those for entertainment but that viewers also emulate the behaviour, styles and the zeitgeist on display that is being shown to them.

DStv subscribers not only see Pieter Koen's wedding - they remember it and it influences their behaviour. 

If the rich Afrikaans white people from Pretoria are wedding it up en masse without masks or social distancing on kykNET, it is not just signalling that masks and social distancing are apparently not important, it is signalling that when I have a party with my people or my family members that we don't need to take any of that stuff seriously either.

A wedding, and attending a wedding, now becomes a place to show that you're not wearing a mask and don't have to social distance because as a DStv subscriber you've seen that that is how the people on TV apparently does it whom you aspire to.

The DStv subscriber is being influenced to behave in the same highly irresponsible way - instead of being told that any wedding at this time in South Africa is a potential super-spreader event.

Unfortunately, MultiChoice doesn't seem to do more than lip-service about Covid-19 when it comes to what is actually shown on DStv screens or at its events. 

It looks like a case of "We want you to do what we say, but meanwhile we're going to actually show you something completely different on TV".

This is wrong. It's irresponsible.

There can't apparently be one set of rules for "people on TV" - those who get to live and conspicuously show off a carefree Covid-less existence - and the rest of the the TV watching consumers who should please wear masks, keep their distance and not get together in big numbers for gatherings and group photos. 

If you're wondering why Covid isn't ending - look no further than ourselves and media companies like MultiChoice. 

Nobody thinks they're the problem. Nobody thinks they contributing to the spread of Covid. Nobody thinks they need to change their behaviour, change what they're doing, or to be much more mindful about what is being shown on television if you run a TV channel, or how. 

Wear a mask! Keep your social distance from people who you are not living with. Please, PLEASE get a Covid vaccination. 

Yes, even if MultiChoice or M-Net or whatever TV channel shows you "inspirational" and "aspirational" entertainment content where you're not seeing people actually doing it or keeping to the rules.

Why on earth is MultiChoice doing media events where people are hanging on each other without masks and without social distancing as medical experts are warning about a looming fourth Covid-wave?

What on earth happened to @MultiChoiceGRP being a responsible corporate company and its policy of Covid-19 safety protocols? Where are the masks? Where are the social distancing? Shocking #DStvInternet media event. What message does this send? @DStv staff Died from Covid. https://t.co/SY6A0jhrno

— TVwithThinus (@TVwithThinus) September 28, 2021

MultiChoice couldn't bother to tell a lot of media that it would be doing a DStv Internet media launch on Tuesday in Soweto, but those who were invited had so much fun posing for pictures with social media influencers, without masks and without any social distancing observed.

These images were then posted for public consumption for their adoring masses. How selfish, when DStv staff and executives have literally died from Covid over the past year and a half. It's misguided, bad and sends a very bad message.

As a powerful medium, South African television and MultiChoice can and should be way more mindful - not just about what it's communicating around Covid-19 safe messages, but also how it's actively actually sabotaging its own Covid-safety messaging.

Wrongly depicting a fantasy-like, post-Covid lifestyle in lifestyle magazine and reality shows when we're all definitely still very far from really living that, is the wrong television to make and show.

ALSO READ: SHOCKER. MultiChoice Africa and M-Net claim it's practising and adhering to Covid-19 TV and film production regulations - but shocking photos show a lack of mask wearing and flouting of social distancing on set.

ALSO READ: CORONAVIRUS. China's StarTimes behaves as if Covid-19 doesn't exist, throws Nigerian launch party in Lagos for new comedy series Okirika.

CORONAVIRUS. Lockdown Level 2: South Africa's cinemas adding seats and evening showings as curfew is pushed later.

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's battered cinemas are breathing a sigh of relief after the country's move to an adjusted Lockdown Level 2, as Nu Metro, Ster-Kinekor, Cine Centre and independents are opening auditorium capacity from 50 to 250 cinemagoers and adding evening showtimes due to the adjusted curfew that has been moved later.

South Africa's bruised cinema industry has lost millions of rand because of Covid-19, with Ster-Kinekor in business rescue, and with some cinema venues of independents and large chains in shopping malls throughout South Africa that might never reopen after the end of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Nu Metro Cinemas is pleased with the return of lockdown level 2 as it enables us to entertain more movie fans with unique, safe, out-of-home cinema experiences," Chantelle Burrows, Nu Metro Cinemas marketing and content executive, tells TVwithThinus.

Nu Metro's cinemas will continue to operate on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and during school holidays only as part of the chain's current operational strategy to keep unneccesary expenditure at bay and to keep the cinema chain's business viable.

From 1 October Nu Metro will be open daily for 7 days a week, for the duration of the school holidays. 

"Adjusted lockdown level 2 also means that we can no re-introdce our popular evening shows at most of our cinemas due to the later curfew. We also believe that lockdown level 2 will improve general consumer confidence to leave their homes for safer entertainment options - to also ease the devastating blow the pandemic has had on box office and confectionary sales, which are key in generating turnover for the cinema industry".

Nu Metro will for instance release the 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die, in South Africa on 1 October, a week before the American release date.

"The impact of lockdown level 3 meant that we could only sell movie tickets to a maximum of 50 people per auditorium and we has to cut our evening shows due to the earlier curfew."

"Under level 2,we can now host a maximum of 250 cinemagoers or 50% of the available seats per smaller auditoria taking into account social distancing requirements. With the curfew only coming into effect from 22:00 it opens up the potential for more shows."

"In essence, we can now safely present more movie shows and allow more customers into our venues," she says.

"All precautionary Covid-19 safety protocols remain in place for cinemas, as has been the case since last year. Cinemas remain one of the safest indoor spaces to be in - with no infections or outbreaks traced back to cinemas anywhere in the world."

Masks are compulsory for entry into cinemas in South Africa where customers are screened upon entry and with cinemas that are thoroughly cleaned and sanitised after every showing, around every 2 to 3 hours, including a daily deep-clean of all facilities. Auditoriums also have advanced HVAC ventilation systems, managing the flow of air in closed venues.

Extended trading hours

With the move to lockdown level 2, Ster-Kinekor's new extended trading hours will come into effect this Friday 17 September with Ster-Kinekor that will now have the last show ending at 21:50 on Fridays, Saturdays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and with the last shows on a Sunday ending at 18:50.

Ster-Kinekor says that none of its cinemas will operate on a Monday but will however trade on all public holidays.

"Following President Cyril Ramaphosa's address on Sunday with South Africa moving to adjusted alert level 2, Ster-Kinekor cinemas will continue to operate with all Covid-19 safety procedures that ensure compliance with directives set out by government," Lynne Wylie, Ster-Kinekor's head of marketing, tells TVwithThinus.

"Seating capacity varies across the circuit and each theatre will now be operating at a 50% capacity to accommodate social distancing with the maximum number of guests not exceeding the new regulation of 250 guests per auditorium."

"Ster-Kinekor will continue to screen all our staff before we open the cinemas each day, as well as at each shift. We will continue to wear face masks and our staff have been trained on safe work practices to ensure safety for themselves and for our guests."

"We will continue to sanitise the cinemas before and after each show and have increased our cleaning times between every show to make sure all our seats and surfaces are clean and safe."

"Ster-Kinekor is Covid-19 compliant, and we have exceeded requirements by further limiting contact between staff and patrons with contactless purchases to ensure our guests enjoy great moments at their greatest."

CORONAVIRUS. Producer and businessman Moyikwa Sisulu dead from Covid-19 at 41.

by Thinus Ferreira

The producer and businessman Moyikwa Sisulu, grandson of the anti-apartheid stalwarts Walter and Albertina Sisulu, and the eldest son of the late Zwelakhe Sisulu and Zodwa Sisulu, has died from Covid-19 related complications. He was 41.

According to the Sisulu family, Moyikwa Sisulu and his partner Aisha Jackson were both diagnosed with Covid-19 earlier in August after the birth of their baby. 

Moyikwa Sisulu died on Saturday at Johannesburg's Morningside Clinic.

Moyika Sisulu had interest in mining, media and property.

Moyikwa Sisulu began his career at the Urban Brew production company in 2000 helping to produce several TV shows for various South African TV channels like the Rise Mzansi reality series for SABC1.

He was also involved with Fuel Media Productions together with Paul Viv and Donald Clarke as partners, that created various shows and specialised in creating branded entertainment content.

CORONAVIRUS. SABC opens a 3-day Covid-19 vaccine pop-up at the South African public broadcaster's Auckland Park headquarters, provincial bureaux to follow.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African public broadcaster has opened a pop-up Covid-19 vaccination site at the SABC's Auckland Park headquarters in Johannesburg for 3 days starting today until Saturday and that is for SABC staff, service providers, and the public.

The SABC follows other broadcasters like the MultiChoice pay-TV operator in Randburg that opened a Covid-19 vaccination site in its staff parkade in July.

THe SABC says that it is working with the Gauteng department of health to help and try vaccinate as many people as possible.

"This is an important partnership for the SABC as we believe we have a collective responsibility and duty to fight Covid-19," says Madoda Mxakwe, SABC CEO.

"We have committed our resources and facilities to provide better access to vaccination to all South Africans. As part of our commitment to fulfilling our mandate, it is our plan that through this partnership, this service will be extended to other SABC provincial offices."

The South African public will be able to go for Covid-19 vaccine injections at the site until 16:00 on Thursday 26, between 08:00 and 16:00 on Friday and between 08:00 and 16:00 on Saturday 28 August.

TV RATINGS. South Africa's Broadcast Research Council on the impact of the loss of thousands of analogue TV households to the ratings system, Eskom's blackouts, the rise of streaming services and zero ratings and technicians struggling to get to TAMS panel households.

by Thinus Ferreira

Swaths of South African analogue TV households going dark as analogue transmitters are switched off in provinces without having switched to DTT and being "lost" as countable viewers, Eskom's blackouts wiping households off ratings metrics, a rise in zero ratings, technicians struggling to get to households forming part of the TAMS panel due to the Covid-19, and even a rise in available video streaming services, are just some of the massive challenges confronting the Broadcasting Research Council of South Africa (BRC) and the accuracy of measuring South Africa's TV ratings.

South Africa's TV ratings system is facing the same challenges, complaints and problems as Nielsen because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic making it more difficult to count available viewers and to track television ratings - with even some added issues as the country haltingly keeps lurching forward in its long-delayed switch from analogue to digital broadcasting and from Eskom's blackouts that it euphemistically calls "loadshedding".

In America, broadcasters are accusing Nielsen of severely undercounting TV households and negatively impacting on their television ratings - the currency used to peg ad rates - because of the Covid pandemic and lockdowns during which technicians didn't service people meter households properly and with households who moved or changed demographics.

It's not yet clear what exactly the impact has been and is with South Africa's TV ratings because of changes in counted TV households due to the ongoing Covid pandemic in the country, as well as the wiping of thousands of analogue TV households from the grid and thereby from eligibility to be counted in South Africa's TV ratings system.

The South African government and its communications minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams recently reneged on a decades-old promise and suddenly shockingly decreed that its flipping to a so-called staggered "hard switch-off" for provinces and ending analogue signal transmission even if all analogue TV households in a province or area haven't been migrated to digital terrestrial television.

The result is that people who made up part of the total South African TV universe and who watched television, disappear and have to be removed from the universe since they have a TV set but can't and don't watch TV any longer.

Earlier this year, the BRC announced that it planned to commission a more comprehensive TAMS (TV Audience Measurement Survey) audit due to the rapid changes in the video viewing landscape, a rise in zero ratings, loadshedding and greater challenges faced by technicians servicing the TAMS panel due to COVID-19. 

The BRC has now received a first interim report but says that it won't be sharing "the minutiae of the interim reports".

"We will not be sharing the minutiae of the interim reports, we will rather make the broader analysis of further interim reports available, covering separate areas, as we receive them," says Gary Whitaker, BRC CEO.

"The consolidated final TAMS audit report will be accessible to the industry towards the beginning of October 2021.”

The BRC says that there's been limited TAMS panel management over the past 12 months due to the Covid-19 pandemic and restrictions surrounding the various lockdown levels.

"While the full audit is still being conducted, the current interim report covers, firstly, environmental review, a qualitative survey of factors including power supply, viewing on other platforms and devices and secondly, a deep analysis of the market landscape and its changes from recent years."

According to the BRC's interim report on its TAMS panel, several things are impacting the measurement of viewing performance.

There have been changes in the structure of TV households during Covid-19 as well as the services being used, like video streaming services over and in parallel to traditional broadcasting.

"As the market moves more to digital services like DStv, OpenView, DTT (digital terrestrial television) etc, the choice of channels increase to the consumer. This means less time spent watching the larger free-to-air (FTA) channels, resulting in more fragmented audiences," the BRC says 

"The decline in analogue homes has accelerated in the past couple of months and will continue as the government rolls out their plans to switch off analogue altogether."

Then there is also performance within platforms and TV channels' ability to maintain or grow its share of broadcast TV within a platform.

"For instance, the SABC has seen a decline in performance across all platforms," the BRC says. "As the structure of the market has changed, the make-up of FTA channel viewing has evolved. Analogue-only homes made up two-thirds of SABC average monthly audiences in 2019."

"By May 2021 the platform contribution of analogue-only dropped to 52%, with DStv, OpenView and DTT contributing more."

Then there are also questions around the share of broadcast TV as a proportion of total measured TV.

"There are strong indications that analogue and DTT homes are supplementing their viewing with non-broadcast content as more streaming media channels become available to South Africans. The stay-at-home lockdown that the country has been under over the past 18 months has accelerated this trend as families seek more home entertainment," the BRC says .

Eskom's blackouts and loadshedding also worsened an already bad situation for South Africa's TV ratings system and tracking.

"The impact of loadshedding/load reduction is more unpredictable and can result in significant declines in overall viewing in the short term," the BRC says.

"While the other factors investigated are more gradual and can be considered in planning, loadshedding and load reduction cannot be predicted - particularly weeks or months in advance. The impact on reporting samples is greater than the impact on ratings although the weighting process makes some corrections for the lower samples."

"According to the report, all these factors can and do impact performance and reporting samples and increase the likelihood of zero-rated spots. As we know, loadshedding is the most unpredictable and most severe of these factors."

Gary Whitaker says that in the meantime, certain recommendations have been made based on the current findings.

These include "minute-by-minute data" and that consideration should be given to moving the currency to minute-by-minute data as opposed to the current second-by-second data, as it will marginally stabilise the data at the most granular spot-by-spot level, whilst having no impact at a program and channel level".

Consideration should also be given to the timing and narrative around universe updates. 

"Timing should allow for plans to be adjusted which should encourage planners to confirm their schedules and projections. Possibly more trading target markets should be included in the comparative tables."

Looking at source data for planning, more recent weeks of source data would be the best source for planning as opposed to the same time a year ago, the BRC says.

In terms of South Africa's analogue TV signals switch-off, for free-to-air (FTA) channels, the impact of the analogue switchover should be factored in. "This is more relevant for middle to lower-income target markets," the BRC says.

"While loadshedding cannot be planned, from a post-campaign perspective the performance should also be run using 'Loadshedding No' included in the target market definition for a particular day."

"This will give the performance against the fully available target market. However, the software systems do not currently support PCAs over multiple days being run in this manner."

"The BRC is and will always strive to ensure that all of our data is correct, in good health, reflective of the situation and representative of the universe," says Gary Whitaker.

ALSO READ: Broadcast Research Council (BRC) to do a more thorough 2-month audit of South Africa's TV audience measurement panel after shrinkage and decay due to Covid-19 pandemic.

CORONAVIRUS. SABC to broadcast Covid-19 messages at a heavily discounted ad rate in South Africa during primetime TV shows like Uzalo and Generations.

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African public broadcaster will start to broadcast Covid-19 public service announcement commercials from CovidComms SA at a heavily discounted rate during primetime programming like during SABC1's Uzalo and Generations - The Legacy, the SABC's two most-watched and most expensive shows to advertise in, to inform the public about the coronavirus, the looming 4th wave and to combat misinformation and falsehoods about the virus, its spread and the importance of Covid-19 vaccines.

With the 4th wave of the Covid-19 pandemic looming and set to hit South Africa from early December 2021 and with the country that is currently experiencing its third wave of Covid-19 infections and cases, the SABC is partnering with CovidComms SA to broadcast an awareness campaign.

CovidComms SA that was created in March 2020have so far produced 200 information products, many in at least 6 South African languages.

Chris Vick of CovidComms SA says "What we really need is primetime viewers to be exposed to vital public health messages. We have been in discussion with a number of media houses about what we are calling a primetime challenge".

Calling on MultiChoice and its DStv Media Sales division, M-Net, SuperSport, e.tv, radio stations and other broadcasters, CovidComms SA says that "We are calling on broadcasters, in particular, to make primetime slots available at no cost, or at least a significantly discounted rate".

Chris Vick says that "The SABC has responded particularly well and has offered us, at significant discounts on TV and radio, airtime. We believe, to make the make the commitment really meaningful, we need corporate South Africa to come onboard and to support the flighting of our fourth wave material on high visibility platforms across the commercial media".

So far 150 community newspapers in South Africa have also committed to distributing CovidComms SA's Covid-19 information at a discounted rate.

Madoda Mxakwe, SABC CEO, says "At the heart of this is the need to advance the national interest. It is very expensive to do this because, as the SABC, we always have to ensure that we display that we are doing it because it is the right thing for the country. We've had to discount quite heavily."

CORONAVIRUS. YouTube bans Sky News Australia and blocks the TV news channel for a week from uploading new content because of spreading Covid-19 misinformation.

by Thinus Ferreira

YouTube on Sunday confirmed and said that it has banned Sky News Australia from uploading any new content for a week because of spreading Covid-19 misinformation, AFP reported.

YouTube's weeklong ban of Sky News Australia, owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp that also owns 21st Century Fox and the Fox News channel in America, comes after the TV news channel uploaded broadcast content questioning whether there is really a Covid-19 pandemic, featured a host claiming that lockdowns because of the coronavirus pandemic have failed, and criticising state authorities in Australia for extending Sydney's latest stay-at-home orders.

"We have clear and established Covid-19 medical misinformation policies to prevent the spread of Covid-19 misinformation that could cause real-world harm," YouTube  says in a statement.

Sky News Australia confirmed its ban on YouTube and says in a statement that the channel "supports broad discussion and debate on a wide range of topics and perspectives which is vital to any democracy".

CORONAVIRUS. Ferguson Films owner, producer and actor Shona Ferguson (47) has died from Covid-19 complications.

by Thinus Ferreira

The filmmaker, producer, actor and owner of Ferguson Films in South Africa, Shona Ferguson, has reportedly died from Covid-19 coronavirus complications. He was 47.

See INDUSTRY REACTION lower down in the article.

Shona Ferguson, who was married to co-producer and actress Connie Ferguson, died on Friday afternoon at the Milpark private hospital in Johannesburg after he was admitted a week ago suffering from chest pains and struggling to breathe.

Sunday World reported that Shona Ferguson died on Friday afternoon, citing uncited sources, after he was in ICU.

This report couldn't independently be verified by other sources that TVwithThinus called, messaged and asked for several hours on Friday, hence the lack of any other reporting whilst seeking confirmation of the single-source story.

On Friday afternoon News24 cited Conrad Mwanza, a Ferguson Foundation spokesperson, confirmed the news of the death of Shona Ferguson.

"Shona Ferguson passed away at noon today and all the family is asking for at the moment is just to mourn in private," Conrad Mwanza said. 

He said that Shona Ferguson died from Covid-19 related complications.

In a statement issued later on Friday afternoon by the Ferguson Foundation, the Ferguson family said that Shona Ferguson died from Covid-19 related complications.

"It is with great sadness that we confirm the passing of Shona Ferguson. He passed away at noon today (Friday, 30 July 2021). Shona Ferguson’s untimely passing was due to Covid-19 related complications, and not a heart operation as reported in the media. We ask that you give the family time to process this painful loss and respect their space during this time."

Born as Aaron Arthur Ferguson in Botswana on 30 April 1974, he started his entertainment career in Lesotho as a club DJ at The Palace Hotel Night Club in 1992. 

After moving back to Botswana his focus shifted to the corporate world and he ended up in the IT business after which he got a role and started his acting career in SABC1's Generations, produced by Mfundi Vundla.

In 2006 he joined SABC2's Muvhango in the role of Dr Leabua and went on to portray the role of Itumeleng on The Wild on M-Net (DStv 101) and also appeared in SABC3's Isidingo, as well as Scandal! on e.tv.

Along with Connie Ferguson they started Ferguson Films and appeared together on screen in their first locally-produced series Rockville on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161). 

The couple has two daughter, Alicia Angel Ferguson and Lesedi, as well as a grandson Rori.

Connie Ferguson on Saturday night on her Instagram account wrote: "This day, 20 years ago (31 July 2001), was the day God brought you into my life, and we haven't looked back since!"

"Ours is a once in a lifetime kind of love. We joked about how we were going to be in our old age. How we would take turns supporting each other and being strong for each other. The irony is we have already been doing that for the past 20 years!"

"Oh how God has loved me to give me you! We were already planning our 20th wedding anniversary in November, assuming that we had time. You and I were joined at the hip, now I feel completely off balance, incomplete, without my other half! My soulmate!"

His daughter Alicia Angel Ferguson wrote on Instagram: "Words can not express how I'm feeling right now. My worst fear became a reality. You fought your fight dad, and I'm so proud of you for making it this far".

"You've not only touched our lives as your family, but you've touched many others as well. You've left a legacy behind that I will carry on, as I did make this promise when I was little to you. Thank you for everything that you've done for me my doppelgänger."

"You made a promise to me that you'll always be there when I need you, so I believe you will always be there even in spirit. I'm going to miss being your personal photographer. I'm going to miss tickling your feet and you shouting at me for it. I'm going to miss smelling your perfume around the house."

"I'm going to miss a lot of things, but most importantly, your hugs. You gave the best hugs on this earth Fa, and I cherish each hug you've given me. I know you are protecting us from up there in heaven. I miss you and words can not express how much I love you Fa. Rest In Peace My Twin."

Shona Ferguson also made an appearance in 2014's The Gift, another series produced by Ferguson Films. 

Other series from Ferguson Films produced for MultiChoice and M-Net's DStv channels like Mzansi Magic and 1Magic (DStv 103) included The Queen, The Throne, Igazi, The Herd, The River and The Imposter, and Unmarried and Step Up to a Start-Up on which he was an executive producer.

Shona Ferguson received the Golden Horn award at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in the Best Actor in a TV soap category, and won another one for Best Achievement by a Lead Actor in a made-for-TV movie.

The 6-episode drama series Kings of Joburg was produced for Netflix by Ferguson Films in 2020.

Ferguson Films recently announced plans to open The Ferguson Film School for aspiring filmmakers.

In June this year Shona Ferguson shared on social media how he also went to Hollywood looking for fame and a career, as well as many doors in South Africa's TV and film industry that were shut in his face - and that he was so poor once that he couldn't afford toothpaste.

"An agent told me it wasn’t going to be easy to get me jobs because I didn't have the right “look”. A veteran actor, loved and respected by millions told me I am not memorable and so did a lot of producers. Many actors criticized me and made bets I would never make it in this industry," Shona Ferguson said.

"I've given most of these folks, agents and naysayers work opportunities regardless. Some are on my payroll and some would rather starve than work for me and that's okay. I'm not for everyone and not everyone is for me."

"There was a time in my life I couldn't afford toothpaste and I brushed my teeth with sunlight bar soap. Had bogobe le cabbage for years because I couldn't afford meat. We were so broke we couldn't afford paraffin for the lamps. We didn't have much but God was with us."

INDUSTRY REACTION:

MultiChoice and M-Net in a statement in response to a media enquiry on Friday afternoon told TVwitThinus that "M-Net is deeply saddened by the news of the passing of actor, film producer and philanthropist, Shona Ferguson".

"Together with his wife Connie Ferguson, he founded Ferguson Films, and they both starred in the production company’s M-Net first series, Rockville, in 2013."

"This was followed by other successful productions, such as The Throne and The Queen, in which Shona played the role of Jerry Maake. His latest appearance was on Rockville Season 5, which aired on Mzansi Magic in June 2021, where he took on the role of JB."

"Shona previously starred in a number of popular local TV series, including Generations, Muvhango and M-Net's The Wild. Recently, Shona and his wife Connie launched the Ferguson Foundation, an independent programme dedicated to supporting and empowering disadvantaged individuals in navigating the film industry."

Nomsa Philiso, director of local entertainment channels at M-Net, says "Shona has left an indelible mark on the South African television and production industry. He will be greatly missed by the M-Net family and his fans."

"M-Net extends its heartfelt condolences to the Ferguson family and Shona’s friends and colleagues. May his loved ones find strength and peace during this difficult time."

Netflix South Africa, where Shona Ferguson produced Kings of Joburg, says "We are saddened to hear the news of the passing of Shona Fergurson. As a fixture in the entertainment industry and a hero of black stories he will be missed. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Once a King, always a King".

Roberta Durrant of Penguin Films in a statement says, "It is with great shock and sadness that we have learnt today of the passing of Shonda Ferguson. We wish Connie and other members of his family and close friends deep condolences and prayers over this time of loss".

The SABC in a statement said that it is "deeply saddened by the passing of Shona Ferguson "and sends heartfelt condolences to the Ferguson family, his colleagues and his friends". 

Merlin Naicker, SABC group executive of SABC video entertainment, says "The industry has lost a great filmmaker and actor. He has left an indelible mark and his work will remain part of the South African film and television's rich archives, and will serve as a great well of knowledge for aspiring filmmakers and actors".

Duma Ndlovu, executive producer at the Word of Mouth Pictures production company, in a statement says "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Ferguson family and fans during this difficult time, we are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear brother",

"We have lost a dedicated contributor in the film and television industry, who has been doing remarkable work. We remember him for his unmistakable dedication and passion."

CORONAVIRUS. MultiChoice Zimbabwe closes Harare branches as Covid-19 cases surge.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Zimbabwe has closed its branches in the capital of Harare as cases of Covid-19 infections are surging in the struggling Southern African country.

MultiChoice Zimbabwe closed its offices and branches in Harare in Avondale and Joina City on 22 July and will only reopen them on 2 August due to the surge of Covid-19 infections in the country and in the city.

MultiChoice Zimbabwe is telling DStv Zimbabwe and GOtv Zimbabwe subscribers to make use of the pay-TV company's digital platforms or to use the MultiChoice Zimbabwe call-centre numbers to phone for assistance.

Zimbabwe is currently in a Lockdown Level 4 as it's struggling to cope with the massive surge in Covid-19 cases fuelled by the much more contagious Delta-variant.

CORONAVIRUS. MultiChoice opens a building basement Covid-19 vaccination site at its Randburg complex for pay-TV group's Gauteng staffers.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice in South Africa has started a Covid-19 vaccination programme for its South African employees and has created a vaccination site in the basement of its MultiChoice Explora building in Randburg for staffers of the pay-TV company who want to get vaccinated there.

South Africa is battling a devastating third wave of the global Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic with the country that shifted back to an adjusted Lockdown level 3 since Monday this week.

MultiChoice's vaccination site in Randburg is staffed by health professionals from the Wits Health Consortium.

"The goal of the national vaccine campaign is to significantly reduce the spread of the virus in a bid to return our society to normality. Vaccinating our employees will help increase the number of South Africans that are vaccinated and make a meaningful contribution to this goal. We want to play our part in the fight against COVID-19," says Nyiko Shiburi, MultiChoice SA CEO.

MultiChoice's vaccination site follows the South African government's age group-based rollout, starting with people aged 35 years and older. 

MultiChoice staffers who have already received their first Pfizer jab as part of the government rollout can receive their second jab at the MultiChoice vaccination site. MultiChoice will also make regional vaccination sites available later in provinces outside of Gauteng.

CORONAVIRUS. Cinemas, theatres, galleries, museums, libraries and casinos can open again as South Africa moves to an adjusted Level 3 lockdown for Covid-19.

by Thinus Ferreira

Cinemas, theatres, galleries, museums, libraries, archives and casinos in South Africa are allowed to open again from today as the country moves to an adjusted Level 3 lockdown during the ongoing Covid-19 global pandemic, although they will be limited to 50% of capacity and must close at 21:00 so workers and customers can be home at 22:00 when the curfew kicks in.

The latest adjusted Lockdown Level 3 regulations were published on Sunday night after president Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa is moving back from an adjusted Level 4 lockdown.

Under the new Level 3 regulations, spectators at sporting events still remain a no-no while night clubs also remain closed.

Public swimming pools, beaches and public parks, game parks, botanical gardens, aquariums and zoos, gyms and fitness centres can open.

Restaurants, bars, shebeens and taverns are allowed to open their doors and have customers "subject to a limitation of a maximum of 50 persons or less for indoor venues or 100 persons outdoors observing a distance of at least one and a half metres from each other, then not more more than 50% of the capacity of the venue may be used".

South Africa's theatre and cinema industries have been decimated by the lockdown regulations, resulting in temporary and permanent closure and thousands of people who have lost jobs and income.

Earlier this month Ster-Kinekor implored the South African government to allow cinemas to reopen, saying that the move to Level 4 lockdown that also meant the forced closure of movie theatres is a "devastating blow"is "a devastating blow" to the industry.

In 2020 South Africa's total box office revenue at cinemas plunged by a massive R1.2 billion to a measly R214 million compared to 2019 - the lowest in over a decade - according to a recent industry report.

Cinema chains like Cine Centre, Nu Metro and Ster-Kinekor are struggling immensely, with Ster-Kinekor that entered voluntary business rescue at the beginning of 2021.

After just a few months that they were open again, trying to lure back wary patrons with spaced-seating, packaged popcorn, rigorous cleaning and disinfecting protocols and even opting for cashless transactions, cinemas were once again forced to shut down the projectors and close their doors in late-June this year.

Chantelle Burrows, Nu Metro cinemas marketing and content executive, told TVwithThinus on Monday morning that Nu Metro cinemas will reopen from this Friday 30 July.

"This reopening also includes Nu Metro's specialised cinema formats: 4DX, VIP and Xtreme. We will initially be trading Fridays to Sundays, and on public holidays, only – in line with our responsible trading strategy under Covid-19 lockdown regulations"."

"Some of the blockbuster movies which will be showing in our cinemas from Friday include Space Jam: A New Legacy, featuring NBA superstar LeBron James and the Looney Tunes crew of iconic cartoon characters in a family movie adventure; as well as Fast & Furious 9: The Fast Saga, after this blockbuster’s record-breaking run at the box office was cut short at the end of June."

"Nu Metro joins the local industry in celebrating the return of the unique, shared out-of-home entertainment experience that only cinemas can bring," says Chantelle Burrows.

"Cinemas remain one of the safest spaces to be in, with extensive precautionary protocols in place to halt the spread of Covid-19, even exceeding governmental requirements."

"All our cinemas are sanitised after every show, social distancing and access controls are strictly managed, and all guests are seated facing in one direction inside auditoria, with minimal interaction between cinemagoers."

"Advanced HVAC ventilation systems, fitting universal health and safety requirements, are also installed in cinemas. We look forward to welcoming cinemagoers this weekend with a great line-up of the best big screen entertainment for young and old."

ALSO READ: CORONAVIRUS. Devastated Ster-Kinekor begs South Africa's government: Open cinemas says chain that warns 'impact of current lockdown will have a devastating impact on the business'.