BBC Studios Africa commissions First Dates SA for BBC Lifestyle on DStv; filming starting in July.

Another localised reality dating format show is being made for South Africa with BBC Studios Africa that commissioned First Dates South Africa for BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) that is showing First Dates Australia, followed by the British version.

Rapid Blue will be producing First Dates SA that joing the flurry of current and planned dating reality shows on South African television stretching from The Bachelor South Africa and Finding the One on M-Net to Date My Family on Mzansi Magic, The Longest Date on SABC3, and One Night with my Ex on 1Magic. 

South Africans over 18 will be able to enter for First Dates SA from 25 March with cameras that will roll during July in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, showing viewers the "intimate experience of the world of first dates" as people look for love.

After a date in the show that is a Warner Bros. format, singletons enter the First Dates booth where people reveal what they really thought and viewers find out if there's a possibility of love.

Joel Churcher, general manager and vice president of BBC Studios in Africa says "I am a huge First Dates fan, so am thrilled that not only are we bringing BBC Lifestyle audiences the very popular Australian and UK editions, but that we can partner once again with Rapid Blue to produce the South African version of this global hit".

"Dating here in South Africa is serious business with couples really pulling out all the stops, so I cannot wait to see how fun local personalities demonstrate how dating should be done."

Ed Worster, Rapid Blue's executive producer of First Dates South Africa says "We love the authenticity of the First Dates format. Our job is to find the perfect match for each of our daters and we really hope that true love might follow their first encounter".

"Once we've set them up it's over to the couples to see if there's any chemistry or a spark between them. We'll be looking for big characters, the unexpected, the novice daters and the players, eligible guys and ladies, the beautiful and the quirky, the young and the old."

"Hopefully sparks will fly in the First Dates South Africa restaurant and showcase a hugely entertaining experience that will resonate with all our viewers."

Andrew Zein, senior vice president for creative, format development & sales at Warner Bros. International Television Production (WBITP), says "We are thrilled to see the format travel to South Africa for what promises to be a brilliant local adaptation".

"The First Dates franchise continues to grow globally and this is yet another exciting opportunity for more of the world to fall in love with the show."

Second season of A+E Networks UK's Pawn Stars South Africa on History looking for treasured, weird and rare South African artefacts.

The producers of Pawn Stars South Africa, working on the second season of the A+E Networks UK commissioned series set for 2016 on History (DStv 186) on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform, is now looking South Africa's treasured, weird and rare artefacts and trinkets.

At the MultiChoice Content Showcase held last month in Mauritius (with no South African press present) the announcement was made that the South African produced show about a South African pawn shop has been renewed for a second season.

Pawn Stars SA is produced by Rapid Blue in South Africa and is a South African spin-off of the global hit series Pawn Stars, following owner Roy Peretz and his Cash Inn pawn shop in Johannesburg, together with partners Eytan and Liel and assistants Irene and Solly.

Pawn Stars South Africa is now looking for South Africans who perhaps own something of historical interest, a weird or wonderful collectible or something truly unique, bizarre, rare, fantastical or eye-popping for the second season.

"We want to showcase unusual local collectibles with interesting back stories," says Ed Worster, Pawn Stars SA series producer.

"Our Pawn Stars experts may be able to shed light on the value and uncover the detail - and Roy Peretz may make you an offer you can't refuse!"

People with interesting stuff collecting dust and taking up space they might want to exchange for cash or think is worth something, can get in touch with Pawn Stars SA at pawnstarssa@rapidblue.com and must send details of their unusual, and potentially valuable artefact.

In the show, based in Johannesburg, Roy Peretz, his partners and assistants at Cash Inn meet customers from all walks of life who flock to pawn or sell anything from the quirky, the unexpected and the downright hilarious.

Of course South Africa's rich and diverse cultures provide a treasure-trove of fascinating artefacts from muscle cars to military memorabilia, while the backroom shenanigans of the pawn shop team, combined with the historical backstories of the objects make for spellbinding and entertaining viewing.

Ed Worster now the head of television at Rapid Blue as the production company is readying a 6th season of Strictly Come Dancing for SABC3.

Ed Worster who was SABC3 acting channel head until his unexpected departure in mid-February this year and which came as a shock to SABC staff, recently joined the South African production company Rapid Blue where he is now the new head of television.

Rapid Blue is for instance producing the new 6th season of the format floor reality show Strictly Come Dancing for SABC3.

Strictly Come Dancing, revived for another season, jumped TV channels from SABC2 to SABC3 and would have started on SABC3 in the latter half of 2012.

The new season was however postponed and the 6th season of Strictly Come Dancing will now start on 10 July on SABC3 at 20:00 as TV with Thinus reported last week.

Rapid Blue is responsible for shows such as Come Dine with Me SA for BBC Worldwide's BBC Entertainment channel in South Africa, SA's Got Talent for e.tv and The Bar-One Manhunt for SABC1 among others.

Ed Worster joined Rapid Blue as the production company is turning 20 years old this year.

BREAKING. SABC3's departing channel head Ed Worster: 'I'm looking forward to taking up new opportunities'.

SABC3's acting channel head Ed Worster who is suddenly leaving, says he's "looking forward to taking up new opportunities".

The beloved and widely respected South African TV executive who moved over from SABC2 as programme manager to helm SABC3 and steer the public broadcaster's only commercial TV channel back to respectability and profitability two years ago, told shocked SABC3 staff in a meeting on Tuesday that he's leaving.

Flabbergasted SABC3 staffers had no idea. According to insiders Ed Worster's last working day at SABC3 will be a week from now, next Friday 15 February.

The SABC has responded to a media enquiry, saying "the SABC can confirm that Ed Worster is retiring and not resigning". Since Ed Worster isn't 60 yet, according to sources, it means early retirement which is making his departure from the SABC so unexpected where he's worked for three decades and been a fixture on the television executive scene.

Ed Worster has been well-liked and respected both within the corridors of Auckland Park as well as within the broader South African TV industry. His departure is a major loss for not just the South African public broadcaster for for television in South Africa.

The SABC now says that "he is still with the corporation and when the times comes, the SABC will announce who will be appointed in the position".

Ed Worster says "having joined the SABC 30 years ago in 1983 as a studio floor manager, the time has come for me to retire from the corporation".

"I have enjoyed my years with the SABC which have been filled with many rich experiences, but I am looking forward to taking up new opportunities that will give me a fresh perspective on the industry. I will miss the incredible people here that have such a passion for broadcasting, and wish the TV team every success as they seek to offer the best in public broadcasting to South African audiences," says Ed Worster.

SHOCKER! SABC3 channel head Ed Worster leaving! SABC3 staff in shock! Head of programming, Lefa Afrika, taking over in the interim.

You're reading it here first. 

I can exclusively break the news that the highly-regarded Ed Worster, SABC3 channel head is leaving on early retirement. His last day on the job steering SABC3 will be next Friday 16 February.

I can exclusively reveal that Ed Worster told shocked shocked SABC3 staff - a complement of about 20 people on Tuesday that he's taking early retirement.

SABC3 has not released any statement, nor made any announcement, or issued any press release. The SABC corporately also has not issued any statement or press release about Ed Worster's sudden departure.

ALSO READ: SABC3's departing channel head Ed Worster: ''I'm looking forward to taking up new opportunities."

Here is what TV with Thinus can report exclusively: Ed Worster called a general SABC3 staff meeting on Tuesday and dumped the news on a traumatised SABC3 staff complement that he is leaving. Staff left in tears.

SABC3 staff members are numb and kept the news to themselves, although the news leaked through another SABC division. "I have lots to say but I don't have anything to say," said a severely shocked SABC3 staff member.

I'm told that several SABC3 staff members started to cry and the tears came after Ed Worster adjourned the meeting he called to announce his shock resignation announcement to a bewildered SABC3 staff.

I can reveal that Lefa Afrika, the current head of programming at SABC3 will be taking over as acting SABC3 channel head in the place of Ed Worster. Again, neither SABC3 nor the SABC has confirmed anything of this, but I'm told SABC3 staff are in shock.

"Ed was beloved. He knew his stuff. He came from SABC2 and he started to rectify the sorry state of affairs SABC3 was in," an SABC3 staff member told me.

"I don't have words. I can't fathom why he would want leave us. We loved him," said another. " Ed has become SABC3; he lives this brand. He steered it back to some respectability," said a third. "Without Ed Worster I don't know what future SABC3 will have as a so-called quality brand," a fourth SABC3 employee told me. "Ed gave SABC3 dignity again," said a fifth insider. "I'm numb, and in shock. I don't have words. He just said he's taking early retirement and that's all."

Ed Worster replaced Mate Mosito-Okaba as acting SABC3 channel head in March 2011 and worked hard to turn around the floundering SABC3 which is the SABC's only commercial TV channel which was beset with floundering ratings, bad programming and a severly damaged brand. Before that he was SABC2's programming manager where he also diligently worked to put together SABC2's schedule.

According to various sources, Ed Worster didn't announce why he's leaving and didn't give any indication of what he will be doing next.

BREAKING. SABC works all night to keep SABC3 on air; make sure Expresso morning show goes out without a break in transmission.

You're reading it here first. 

SABC3's acting channel head Ed Worster, Nic Bonthuys who heads up SABC TV Outside Broadcasts, and Billy Matsitse worked all night to make sure SABC3 stays on the air on Thursday and that Expresso, SABC3's morning goes out live without a break in transmission.

The SABC hastily dispatched and mobilised and outside broadcasting unit (OB unit) at the SABC's regional office in Seapoint with satellite dish for a possible additional back-up for this morning's live broadcast of Expresso on SABC3.

SABC3 was affected and went off the air for a while last night when a massive fire engulfed Studio 6 at Henley Studios at the SABC and destroyed the Isidingo set, cabling and caused tens of millions of rands worth of damage.

ALSO READ: Fire engulfs the SABC, SABC3 off the air and Isidingo set destroyed in massive blaze as fire rips through Henley Studios and Studio 6; damage of millions.

ALSO READ: SABC in shock after massive fire takes SABC3 off the air, destroys Isidingo set in Studio 6: "It's something we don't know how to handle," says Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the SABC's acting chief operating officer (COO).

ALSO READ: Cherel didn't do it! Michelle Botes on the fire which destroyed the Isidingo set and how she found out.

SABC3 soap Isidingo gets on-screen subtitels to help deaf viewers as Dtv continues on Sundays.

SABC3's soap Isidingo (weekdays, 19:30) now comes with subtitles since Wednesday evening to help deaf viewers.

''The deaf community is very important to the SABC and to the channel in particular and so it gives us real pleasure in being able to provide subtitling on Isidingo from this week on,'' says Ed Worster, SABC3's acting channel head.

''Our hope is that it will enhance the viewing pleasure of the community and grant them full access to South Africa's most popular soap.''

SABC3 has been broadcasting Dtv - a special programming block for deaf viewers since 1996 which currently has a Sunday morning at 11:30 timeslot on SABC3 and is presented by Candice Morgan.

BREAKING. SABC3 channel head Ed Worster: 'We have worked hard to improve the content offering on the channel.'

''We have worked hard to improve the content offering on the channel, bringing back some old favourites, such as National Geographic and My Family while introducing great new shows like The Voice, The Good Wife and Entertainment Tonight,'' says Ed Worster, SABC3's acting channel head, reflecting on 2011.

''One the highlights of the year was The Royal Wedding between Wills and Kate, which delivered unprecedented audiences. Of course, the big news was the move of Isidingo to 19:30 in October, which has reshaped prime time on SABC3 in a significant way,'' he says.

''With shows like Top Billing, Dr Oz, and Survivor in our portfolio, SABC3 remains associated with the pursuit of excellence,'' he says. ''Our audiences have their roots firmly rooted in Africa but they are cosmopolitan with a global outlook.''

BREAKING. Complete revamp coming for SABC3's primetime news bulletin, News @ 7, to give it ''a more sophisticated, international'' look.

You're reading it here first.

I can reveal that SABC3 and the public broadcaster's news division SABC News is working hard at a total makeover and overhaul of the commercial TV channel's primetime daily news bulletin at 19:00, planning a complete revamp for the News @ 7 that includes a new set and graphics, as well as the way in which the news content is shown within the daily half hour bulletin.

SABC3 gave no specific date for the relaunch of SABC3's News @ 7 but its pegged for close to October this year when SABC3 plans to relaunch with a complete new look, on-air graphics and a more refined scheduling structure.

''We've fallen behind. Our viewers are more sophisticated and they've told us they need a refreshed, better news bulletin,'' says Ed Worster, acting channel head of SABC3. ''SABC News is working on the way the news for the News @ 7 with a complete revamp coming. We're working on giving it a more sophisticated, international look to look more what people have come to expect from international news bulletins both in the look and style and the quality of the content.''

With the News @ 7 revamp SABC3 will try to gain back market share and woo back viewers who've deserted the News @ 7 in droves over the past three years with the viewership of bulletin continuing to slide while e.tv's eNews Prime Time news bulletin at 19:00 keeps growing.

ALSO READ: http://teeveetee.blogspot.com/2010/03/breaking-sabc-ceo-at-loss-to-explain.html

TV executives from MultiChoice to TopTV, SABC and M-Net attend the annual LA Screenings looking at the new upcoming TV content.

You're reading it here first.

South Africa's top TV executives all went to the annual LA Screenings that just ended in Hollywood and I can reveal that they are now fully aware of what is out there in terms of new TV shows and what new TV content will become available, and hopefully new full TV series, this year.

I can reveal that M-Net sent representatives, and MultiChoice's Aletta Alberts, general manager for content was also there. She told me herself at the launch of the the Disney XD channel that she's going. Insider sources at On Digital Media (ODM) confirm to me that TopTV's CEO Vino Govender as well as other TopTV execs attended the LA Screenings this week. Sources told me last week that SABC3's new acting channel head Ed Worster is also there. 

The LA Screenings - that was held at The Hyatt Century Plaza in Los Angeles this year - is not a trade or buyers market, of course. TV executives can't and don't do deals at the LA Screenings - although they do hobnob and build relationships. Often its more the relationship than the money (although that's very important too) that later clinch the deal. Instead, international television executives are invited by the top Hollywood studios to watch the latest primetime pilot episodes of the American TV networks that will start in September when the new TV season starts.

South Africa's TV execs watched all the new pilot episodes made by Paramount, 20th Century Fox, CBS Studio International, NBCUniversal, Sony, Warner Bros. and Disney, and talked to a wide range of exhibitors ranging from AETN International and Discovery Networks to MTV Networks International, Warner Bros. International Television Distribution and NBCUniversal International Distribution to name just a few.

The biggest buzz was around the new Steven Spielberg time travel back to dinosaur action adventure series Terra Nova (Fox), although executives are wondering whether the quality of the show in terms of story and special effects would be sustainable for the entire first season. Executives were also impressed by Pan Am (Sony), the drama that's a Mad Men copycat and which is set in the 1960's airline that no longer exists.

Other exciting shows creating chatter amongst executives are Fox''s drama Alcatraz by JJ Abrams about old secrets discovered inside the island prison, the fantasy drama Grimm, the Desperate Housewives-ish primetime soap Good Christian Belles (called GCB), the teen witch drama The Secret Circle that's very much like The Vampire Diaries and Ringer which is Sarah Michelle Gellar's return to television.

BREAKING. ''It's time to make a new start,'' says SABC3's new channel head, promising a return to excellence for the broadcaster.

You're reading it here first.

In an incredible mea culpa Ed Worster, the new acting SABC3 channel head stood in front of a theatre filled with people attending the SABC's Upfront Tradeshow and made an apology - and new promises - that were all received by ad buyers, media planners and press. Attendees were impressed by the refreshing honesty, his frank perspective and assessement of SABC3, the intention to improve things and the clearly hands-on expertise of Ed Worster.

In an unexpected and startling admission, but with promises of a new transformation for SABC3 in terms of what the channel will be offering viewers and advertisers, Ed Worster apologized for the mess that the South African public broadcaster's once sterling commercial TV channel had become over the past few years. Ed Worster promised that he and the SABC3 team will do everything they can to return the struggling channel to its former ''glory days''. In fact, they've already started.

''When it comes to SABC3 people are talking about the 'good old days' as if they're talking about the stories they've heard growing up at their mother's knee. But is it the stuff of legend, SABC3?'' Ed Worster started, referring to the broadcaster that first brought South African viewers The Oprah Winfrey Show, Ally McBeal and introduced (and seduced) them with Survivor.
Using classic fairy tale imagery in a striking, allegoric presentation that resonated well with the audience of media types, the well-liked silver haired TV executive said ''it seems that the channel might be cursed. Some things have been lurking in the dark that we don't like. It might seem as if the wolf is at the door. In desperate need of a hero. Looking for a trinity of divinity. And even if it's a three-legged race and things might seem a little hampered, we know the competition is out there.''

''It's time to make a new start,'' said Ed Worster. ''We know that you're always number one (SABC1) with Mzansi Fo Sho. We know that two (SABC2)'s company. But we want three (SABC3) to be a great, big, massive crowd. So what is our vision and mission as a TV channel if we could talk to the genie and rub the lamp? We want to keep our viewers happy. We want to keep our advertisers and your clients happy. And for people to know that we care,'' he said.

''It takes three colours to make television. And three elements to make an atom. It releases a fusion of creative energy - where anything is possible. It's that new energy that's driving SABC3 into the future, this year and beyond. I think you all understand as much as we do that SABC3 has been plagued by serious underperformance of all key areas of measure: viewership and audiences, revenue and brand integrity. All ran into trouble. SABC3 no longer had a clear channel proposition. As a result viewers became disinvested. Disruptive schedule changes in primetime and really I think a depreciation between SABC3 and the SABC's other two TV channels - what made us different as a commercial TV  channel - caused a blurring in the industry regarding what we stood for across the board.''

''In our strategy forward SABC3 will restore our excellence and our distinctiveness as a brand,'' promised Ed Worster, ''and put it up there once again as an unrivaled commercial television channel.''
''At the heart of SABC3's turnaround is dramatic improvement and attention to quality content. Moving forward we really want to drive much more first-to-market programmes in our territory on our schedule. We're going to create primetime pillars on SABC3 at 19:30 and 20:30 with a very clear proposition for viewers and for trade. I know that many of you are very concerned about the disruption that cricket has on the channel. I can already promise you that we've already started planning much more cleverly and far more ahead of time for the cricket coming at the end of the year.''

''The SABC3 schedule is being streamlined and disruption is going to be minimized. We really want to bring viewers back to SABC3 at 19:30 and 20:30 in primetime,'' said Ed Worster. ''We are going to become far more effective in our relationship with the trade, ensuring that fixed schedules are released and become available more ahead of time, to let you know about opportunities. And I just want to let you know that we are absolutely open to have a conversation about any ideas, suggestions or opportunities you might have.''

ALSO READ: ''We're back in business,'' SABC tells ad buyers and media planners at its new, resurrected SABC Upfront Roadshow.

Ed Worster leaves SABC2 to manage the broadcaster's overall TV content commissioning department.

Ed Worster who used to be SABC2's programme manager is now the acting general manager: content hub at the SABC where the commissioning of local productions for the broadcaster happens.

From well-connected insiders within SABC2 I'm told the recent move is only a temporary one for Ed Worster to help oversee the beleaguered commissioning section of the SABC that's been going through a terrible cash crunch. Barely any commissioning of local content has taken place for more than a year having a devastating effect on local TV producers in South Africa. From within the SABC's content hub I'm told by sources ''Ed Worster is only acting GM, but it doesn't look as if he'll return to (SABC)2.''