M-Net axes Idols after 19 seasons.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net has cancelled the long-running Idols with the upcoming 19th season on its Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel which will be the last for the [SIC] Entertainment-produced reality singing competition show following viewership fatigue and a massive plunge in ratings.

M-Net is calling the upcoming 19th season of Idols on Mzansi Magic - with Gavin Wratten as director and executive producer, along with Anneke de Ridder and host ProVerb (Tebogo Thekisho) as co-producers - its "farewell season", meaning that with South Africans will have one last chance to enter and audition for the show."

"After 18 successful seasons on air, Mzansi Magic and M-Net local entertainment channels confirm the decision to give Idols SA its final curtain call," says Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director for local entertainment channels, in a statement to TVwithThinus.

" The international format talent search competition has been a stage of opportunities where many careers were launched and we would like to thank the crew, on-air talent and sponsors for their contribution to its success over the years."

"We look forward to an epic final season and will continue to secure and produce the best content which Mzansi Magic viewers have come to enjoy."

Idols started 21 years ago in 2002 on the M-Net channel. 

It became a simulcast show on M-Net and Mzansi Magic in 2013 from the 9th season, and a Mzansi Magic only show in 2016 from season 12 onwards after M-Net decided to migrate the show to open it up to a bigger DStv audience on lower-tiered packages. 

The cancellation of the South African version of the Fremantle format follows after a dramatic ratings plunge for Idols in season 17 that coincided with a relationship scandal involving Idols judge Somizi Mhlongo after his ex Mohale Motaung made serious allegations of emotional and physical abuse.

While Idols started off its 17th season in South Africa in July 2021 with 1 018 607 viewers as the 4th most-watched show on all of DStv for the month, it suddenly plunged to 10th place on DStv's most-watched list with 693 760 viewers at most in August 2021, shedding 32% or a third of its viewers. 

In October 2021 Idols fell to a season-low of just 683 814 viewers, and finished the season in November 2021 with 753 367 viewers at most.

After the very large drop in viewers and in an effort to revitalise Idols, M-Net's general entertainment channels division and [SIC] Entertainment decided to retain Somizi Mhlongo for 2022's 18th season and axed judges Randall Abrahams and Unathi Nkayi whose contracts were not renewed and were replaced by artists Thembi Seete and rapper-producer JR Bogopa.

About Idols' revamp attempt to lure DStv subscribers back, Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice CEO for general entertainment, told TVwithThinus ahead of the 18th season last year that "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".

Asked whether the changes in judges for the 18th season were done to try and reverse the show's declining viewership, Nomsa Philiso said that "In part it is to get the ratings back and also to attract new audiences, right. So, you would know that from around 2017 we started seeing some level of fatigue - some level of viewer fatigue in terms of Idols".

"Part of us refreshing the judges is also us trying to say that we're going to give you guys a much bigger and better Idols".

When the 18th season started, Idols ratings on Sunday evenings fell further, far off from the over a million viewers it managed to pull in years past for season debuts, reaching a meagre 743 516 viewers during July last year. 

Last year's Idols season ended with 739 426 viewers at most during November. The winner's recording contract was also quietly reduced from an album to just an EP.

Following the conclusion of Idols' 18th season, Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, said that "Idols is a brand that we believe in and is a brand that connects us to our youth in the country. It promotes nationalism and healthy competition while it gives young people a stage to showcase their talent".

ALSO READ: Judges juggling unable to stem Idols South Africa's ratings slide on Mzansi Magic.

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

ALSO READ: 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.

ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. Not supposed to Go Pro with 'season 19': M-Net's Mzansi Magic channel shocked after ProVerb announces a next season of Idols on DStv with nothing confirmed yet. 

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

by Thinus Ferreira

There are multiple ongoing indicators - besides the tanking ratings and scaled-back media liaison - that M-Net's Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) is a much-reduced show and far down from the stature it once had years before in seasons prior: Case in point is the winner's recording contract which has apparently quietly contracted from an album to just an EP.  

The winner of Idols on Mzansi Magic got an album deal in seasons past. The winner of Idols now apparently just gets an EP from Kalawa Jazemee Records. TVSA was first to note the change.

The difference between an album and an EP is that an album has over half an hour of music with multiple songs. An EP has mostly four to six songs, and a running time of 30 minutes or less.

The season 17 Idols winner Berenike Trytsman, known as Berry, saw her "EP" - not an album - entitled "Unspoken Words" with 6 songs released just before the new season 18 winner, police trauma counsellor Thapelo Molomo was announced this past Sunday.

Boitumelo Tsele, publicist at The Duma Collective paid to communicate about Idols on behalf of Mzansi Magic didn't respond to multiple calls this week about Idols.

Thapelo Molomo says he will remain in his job at the South African police service but will try to fit in singing professionally. 

It's indicative that he probably doesn't see winning Idols as being able to launch him into a full singing career - especially not if you now just get a downscaled prize like an "EP" and not even an album, which gets released a year later and barely a week before another winner is announced.

At a press briefing on Sunday night after the Idols season finale which Mzansi Magic only told some media about and which used to be inclusive of all press in years past, Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, reportedly said that Mzansi Magic is happy with how Idols season 18 turned out.

Neither Shirley Adonisi nor Gavin Wratten, Idols director, mentioned or said anything about Idols' sinking Mzansi Magic viewership on DStv which had lost half its total audience over a year.

"Idols is a brand that we believe in and is a brand that connects us to our youth in the country. It promotes nationalism and healthy competition while it gives young people a stage to showcase their talent," Shirley Adonisi said. 

ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. Not supposed to Go Pro with 'season 19': M-Net's Mzansi Magic channel shocked after ProVerb announces a next season of Idols on DStv with nothing confirmed yet.

ALSO READ: 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.

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

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. 

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.

by Thinus Ferreira

In a desperate attempt to try and stem a dramatic ratings decline and to save Idols in South Africa, M-Net's Mzansi Magic TV channel on DStv as well as production company [SIC] Entertainment is reportedly planning to bring back the scandal-riddled choreographer Somizi Mhlongo who stands accused of serious physical abuse, and to get rid of Unathi Nkayi who also tarnished her image in 2021.

On Sunday City Press reported that executives at M-Net's Mzansi Magic TV channel and [SIC] Entertainment, producing the format reality singing competition seen on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service, is allegedly mulling the idea of bringing back the scandal-engulfed Somizi Mhlongo as a possible on-screen element for 2022's season 18 of Idols to try and reverse the show's precipitous ratings collapse during 2021's season 17.

Idols' TV ratings plunged after the socialite exited the show when he was engulfed in damaging allegations of physical and emotional abuse of his then-partner, Mohale Motaung after shocking audio recordings of the allegations were leaked.

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

Unathi Nkayi who dented her public image in 2021 is reportedly also out at Idols as a judge 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.

On Sunday City Press quoted sources close to the Idols production saying that "Somizi has been given the green light because he is obviously the life of the show and there was a huge difference when he was on the show, in terms of declining viewership. So he will be making a return this season after he was given a break last year to sort out his personal issues".

According to a source Somizi Mhlongo has been filming on-air promos that MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic plan to run to announce his return to DStv.

The newspaper wasn't able to contact Somizi Mhlongo for comment since his cellphone was switched off and Unathi Nkayi didn't answer and didn't return text messages.

Idols started off season 17 with 1 018 607 viewers on Mzansi Magic in July 2021 as usual, as the 4th most-watched show on all of DStv for the month.

Instead of climbing and the usual ratings increase as interest would build, Idols suddenly plunged with DStv subscribers who were no longer interested in watching following the scandal as the show plunged on DStv's most-watched list, and lost a third of its entire viewership in one go.

In 2021 Somizi Mhlongo was also slammed by the South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) in a strongly-worded statement over his attacks and insults levelled against journalists.

Somizi attacked journalists after reports about his alleged infidelity and crumbling relationship and a legal battle over the canned Dinner at Somizi's TV show, after he was approached for comment but declined to comment.

Sanef said that Somizi's "actions have aggravated what is already a hostile working environment, especially for women journalists. This is a direct attack on media freedom in the country. Worldwide similar attacks are being meted out on journalists with the intent to silence their voices, especially that of women and the stories they tell."

Sanef called on Somizi Mhlongo to "unreservedly apologise to these journalists and the public on all his social platforms for his unbecoming behaviour. He must call on his followers to stop harassing and intimidating them. Further, we call on the journalists to lay charges of intimidation and for MultiChoice to officially distance themselves from Mhlongo's comments." 

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

On Sunday morning Mzansi Magic was asked for comment about Somizi Mhlongo's possible return and Unathi Nkayi's possible ouster from Idols, and the response will be added here if received.

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 abruptly axes Idols winner media briefing for season 17 after 19 years as ratings plunge.

by Thinus Ferreira

In a shocking decision MultiChoice and M-Net have decided to drop the post-finale Idols press conference for the 17th season that will conclude this evening on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) with neither Karabo Mathe nor Berry Trytsman who will be given an opportunity to appear before the media and answer questions as the winner kicks off her professional music career.

For the past 19 years M-Net has held an Idols post-finale press conference with the national media from across South Africa in attendance for every single season of the Fremantle format singing reality competition show dating back to the conclusion of the first season in mid-2002 with Heinz Winckler.

Idols press conferences with national, regional and community journalists from Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth working at newspapers, TV, radio and online took place when the show was on M-Net, continuing the tradition when the series switched to being a joint M-Net and Mzansi Magic show and eventually crossing over to a Mzansi Magic channel only show.

For the 18th season in 2020, M-Net and MultiChoice held the Idols post-show season finale press conference that had become institutional, with Mzansi Magic, the production company[SIC] Entertainment, as well as the winner and runner-up on the stage of the State Theatre in Pretoria.

It took place virtually on Zoom, with MultiChoice and M-Net that put in special effort and broadcast it to media across South Africa on DStv channel 196 as well with the TV channel that was unencoded for an hour specifically for journalists who wanted to watch it on their TV screens and submitted submit typed questions to the panel.

By Saturday South Africa's media got not notification or advisory from M-Net about Sunday's press conference for season 17. 

Philly Khubheka, M-Net publicity manager for Mzansi Magic, on Saturday confirmed to TVwithThinus that the Idols press conference has abruptly been dumped without any notification to media.

Tonight either Karabo Mathe from Hebron in the North-West, or Berry (Berenike Trytsman) from Cape Town will be crowned the winner of Idols' season 17 on Mzansi Magic, with a next season - in this case season 18 for 2022 - usually announced as the winner readies their Christmas album debut as part of a record deal with Kalawa Jazmee Records.

The live Sunday shows of the 17th season of Idols - with director and executive producer Gavin Wratten and co-producers Anneke de Ridder and ProVerb (Tebogo Thekisho) who is also the presenter - switched to Urban Brew Studios this year and a triangular stage, with Vodacom, Old Mutual, Truworths, Darling and Yamaha as the various sponsors this season.

For close to almost two decades the country's media would ask the winner and runner-up various questions at the Idols post-finale press briefing and their next plans, where the producers and M-Net would also field questions about aspects from the show, and with M-Net officially congratulating the winner before the media.

It would be followed by an official prize handover ceremony from the various sponsors in front of the media.

Philly Khubheka told TVwithThinus in response to a media query that M-Net decided to axe the Idols press conference because media allegedly prefer one-on-one interviews.

"Based on the take-up and feedback last year, our assessment is that most media prefer one-on-one interviews. Our anticipation is that post-Covid we will revert to the traditional in-person press conference set-up," she said.

She said M-Net's decision to dump the Idols media briefing is part of "a different approach and media are still an integral part of our process".

On a question of how M-Net will make up for the winner's loss of exposure and earned media derived from the collective big-buzz Idols press briefing to help launch their careers, Philly Khubheka said that "there are still opportunities to interview cast, crew and winners. We have already set up these for other media houses".

Asked if the Idols sponsors were told that there won't be a press conference with media and a prize handover before media following the end of the season where they get exposure, Philly Khubheka said that "our partners are aligned with our revised process".

Besides MultiChoice and M-Net axing the media briefing Idols suddenly appears to be in sharp decline with ratings that precipitously fell this season by hundreds of thousands of viewers as DStv subscribers tuned out.

While Idols previously reigned supreme as the most-watched or second most-watched show on DStv during a season's run with over a million viewers, the show suddenly shed hundreds of thousands of viewers this year and lost a shocking third of its usual viewing audience.

Idols started off season 17 with 1 018 607 viewers on Mzansi Magic in July as usual, as the 4th most-watched show on all of DStv for the month.

Instead of climbing and the usual ratings increase as interest would build, Idols suddenly plunged following a scandal that saw choreographer judge Somizi Mhlongo exit the show under a cloud of physical assault allegations. 

DStv subscribers were no longer interested in watching Idols following the scandal and the show plunged to 10th place on DStv's most-watched list with 693 760 viewers at most in August.

In September Idols stayed flat at 9th place on DStv with 709 655 viewers. 

In October Idols sagged even further to a season-low of 13th position with just 683 814 viewers. It's far off from where Idols used to rank during the live Sunday live spectacular phase of the show.

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.

ALSO READ: Season 17 of South Africa's Idols on Mzansi Magic makes history with an all-female top trio.

ALSO READ: Idols on Mzansi Magic sheds a third of its audience in a shocking ratings plunge after Somizi Mhlongo scandal.

ALSO READ: Season 17 of Idols on Mzansi Magic switching to weekly guest judges after exit of Somizi Mhlongo.

ALSO READ: As Somizi Mhlongo abuse allegations swirl, Mzansi Magic doesn't tell DStv viewers on-screen about his upcoming absence as Idols judge; Mohale Motaung insists he 'experienced abuse both physical and psychological'. 

Why Idols on Mzansi Magic had less votes for season 16 in 2020.

by Thinus Ferreira

After a few years of successive, growing record-breaking voting tallies for Idols, the reality singing competition show on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) experienced its first ebb this year with 6 million fewer votes than last year although ratings held steady – something that the producers are contributing to the impact of Covid-19 on the show’s pay-TV audience.

Idols voting kept surging over the past few years, going from 83 million votes in 2016, to 98 million in 2017, and 142 million votes in 2018. A whopping 186 million votes were cast during 2019’s 15th season, with 36 million of those during the show’s last week.

This year’s 16th season, however, didn’t see Idols break its own voting record again, with votes that fell slightly by 6 million votes to a still impressive 180 million votes overall, with 29 million votes that were cast by viewers during Idols’ last week.

The 18-year old Zama Khumalo from eMalahleni (Witbank) in Mpumalanga became the winner of the 16th season of Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Sunday night with the season finale that was broadcast during Covid-19 coronavirus restrictions in South Africa from the State Theatre in Tshwane.

She faced off against Mr Music (Lungisani Mthethwa) from Richard's Bay in KwaZulu-Natal in the Top 2 Idols season 16 live finale broadcast with the season that host and co-executive producer Proverb (Thapelo Thekisho) on Sunday evening described as "very difficult circumstances".

The 16th season of Idols, once again produced by [SIC] Entertainment, continued to draw huge audiences to MultiChoice's DStv for its latest season. 

Idols lured 1.18 million viewers for its most-watched episode in November 2020, making it the highest-rated reality and general entertainment show on all of DStv, and the third most-watched show on DStv after drama series Gomora and The Queen both on Mzansi Magic as well. Ratings were slightly down from 2019.

Idols has been renewed for a 17th season on Mzansi Magic in 2021 with initial auditions that will take place virtually because of Covid-19 and with dates and details that will be announced soon.

After the conclusion of the Idols season finale, the traditional post-show Idols season finale press conference with Mzansi Magic, the production company and the winner and runner-up took place on Sunday night at the State Theatre at 20:00.

It took place virtually this year and was broadcast to media across South Africa on DStv channel 196 that was unencoded specifically for journalists who had to submit typed questions to the panel. 

With the vote tally for the season and for the last week that are slightly down in 2020 from 2019, TVwithThinus asked what the producers attribute the lower vote count to.

"Thinus has put it in sort of a negative connotation. I actually think it's incredibly positive," said Gavin Wratten, Idols co-executive producer from [SIC] Entertainment. 

"You think of what we've all went through this year with Covid-19, the fact that we hit 180 million votes is unbelievable. You can compare it to any other TV show in South Africa, I mean we are miles ahead."

"I think it's amazing that we got that many votes if you consider that many people during lockdown probably lost jobs, they didn't have as much data, they didn't have as much access to data, they didn't maybe see us and had access to TV shows."

"The fact that we got that number is absolutely phenomenal, I didn't think we were going to get anywhere near, so a big up to everybody in Mzansi who watched and voted because it was phenomenal," said Gavin Wratten.

Nomsa Philiso, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, speaking about allegations of vote-rigging in previous Idols seasons, said that "As MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic we are absolutely comfortable with the process. I really would like people to understand that the integrity of these votes are unquestionable."

"Actually, it is South Africa that has spoken. We were not involved. South Africa has voted and we just tally the votes."

Talking about Idols and it being renewed for a 17th season, she said that "The majority of South Africans relate to it and I think that what has worked for it is that we've been very responsible towards what it is that the people want".

"In terms of being up there [amidst] how Covid-19 has affected us, is testament to how agile the production team and the Mzansi Magic team has been to put Idols on." 

ALSO READ: Zama Khumalo from eMalahleni clinches the season 16 Idols winner title on Mzansi Magic, overall vote tally of 180 million slighty down during Covid-19 year.

Zama Khumalo from eMalahleni clinches the season 16 Idols winner title on Mzansi Magic, overall vote tally of 180 million slighty down during Covid-19 year.

by Thinus Ferreira

The 18-year old Zama Khumalo from eMalahleni (Witbank) in Mpumalanga became the winner of the 16th season of Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Sunday night with the season finale that was broadcast during Covid-19 coronavirus restrictions in South Africa from the State Theatre in Tshwane.

"South Africa, thank you," said a crying Zama. After the conclusion of the episode during the prize-giving ceremony, she said that "This is the most amazing thing that has ever happened to me".

She faced off against Mr Music (Lungisani Mthethwa) from Richard's Bay in KwaZulu-Natal in the Top 2 Idols season 16 live finale broadcast on Sunday evening.

It was a season that host Proverb on Sunday evening described as "very difficult circumstances".

Over 29 million votes were cast by viewers in the past week before Sunday's Idols season 16 finale, bringing the total Idols season 16 votes to over 180 million votes. 

With the 16th season coming during a Covid-19 year, this year's Idols vote tally was slightly down from 2019's 186 million overall votes of the 15th season and its 36 million votes during the last week.

The 16th season of Idols, once again produced by [SIC] Entertainment, continued to draw huge audiences to MultiChoice's DStv.

Idols lured 1.18 million viewers for its most-watched episode in November 2020, making it the highest-rated reality and general entertainment show on all of DStv, and the third most-watched show on DStv after drama series Gomora and The Queen both on Mzansi Magic as well.

Idols has been renewed for a 17th season on Mzansi Magic in 2021 with initial auditions that will take place virtually because of Covid-19 and with dates and details that will be announced soon.

After the conclusion of the Idols season finale the traditional post-show Idols season finale press conference with Mzansi Magic, the production company and the winner and runner-up happened on the stage of the State Theatre at 20:00.

It took place virtually this year and was broadcast to media across South Africa on DStv channel 196 that was unencoded specifically for journalists who had to submit typed questions to the panel.

TVwithThinus asked: "The overall vote tally for the season and for the last week are slightly down from last year. What do you attribute the lower vote count to?"

"Thinus has put it in sort of a negative connotation. I actually think it's incredibly positive," said Gavin Wratten, Idols co-executive producer from [SIC] Entertainment.

"You think of what we've all went through this year with Covid-19, the fact that we hit 180 million votes is unbelievable. You can compare it to any other TV show in South Africa, I mean we are miles ahead."

"I think it's amazing that we got that many votes if you consider that many people during lockdown probably lost jobs, they didn't have as much data, they didn't have as much access to data, they didn't maybe see us and had access to TV shows."

"The fact that we got that number is absolutely phenomenal, I didn't think we were going to get anywhere near, so a big up to everybody in Mzansi who watched and voted because it was phenomenal," said Gavin Wratten.

Nomsa Philiso, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, speaking about allegations of vote-rigging in previous Idols seasons, said that "As MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic we are absolutely comfortable with the process".

"I really would like people to understand that the integrity of these votes are unquestionable," Nomsa Philiso said. "Actually, it is South Africa that has spoken. We were not involved. South Africa has voted and we just tally the votes."

Talking about Idols and it being renewed for a 17th season, she said that "The majority of South Africans relate to it and I think that what has worked for it is that we've been very responsible towards what it is that the people want".

"In terms of being up there [amidst] how Covid-19 has affected us, is testament to how agile the production team and the Mzansi Magic team has been to put Idols on." 

Zama Khumalo, asked what she has learnt from being part of Idols season 16, said that "it's really amazing how everyone has to be on time. I didn't know that before and now I know. Now I know I can never be late, I have to always be on time".

"I'm just grateful because I've learnt a lot. I think I have stage presence now. My confidence has grown. And it has also taught me how to carry myself now that I'm a brand."

ALSO READ: Why Idols on Mzansi Magic had less votes for season 16 in 2020.

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.

Auditions kick off for 15th season of Idols on Mzansi Magic, starting in Pretoria as cross-country contestants queue overnight, sleep in cars.

Salvation Munyai

Auditions kicked off on Saturday for the 15th season of Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), with the South African version of the reality singing competition that keeps surging in popularity, that saw contestants queuing since Friday night, sleeping in cars and travelling from as far as Port Elizabeth and the Northern Cape.

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 dreaming of possible fame and fortune in a country enduring an economic slump and where the youth unemployment rate of 52.8% is the highest in the world.

On Saturday Salvation Munyai (26) was first in line at the Pretoria State Theatre as Idols' national auditions for the 15th season started, with the young man who had been queuing from Friday night after he travelled from Limpopo and arrived in Pretoria on Wednesday this past week.

He auditioned for the second time and performed Vusi Nova's Ngikuthandile for the judges.

Obri Komane

Obri Komane (28) from Witbank arrived in Pretoria on Friday night and slept in his car, while Natalie Moos celebrated her 23rd birthday on Saturday and travelled from the Northern Cape to spend her day trying out for Idols.

Muneer Holloway (22) from Port Elizabeth arrived in Pretoria on Thursday and queued since Friday evening. For his first-ever Idols audition he sang Sam Smith's song, Dancing with Strangers.

Karabo Sibiya (24) from Tembisa, tried to impress the judges with Bruno Mars' Just the way you Are, while Nhlanhla Mhlari (25) originally from Mthatha in the Eastern Cape province sang Stand by Me from Ben E King.

It was the 4th Idols audition for Divalash (30) from Pretoria, a club DJ with big singing dreams, while Bongeka Ndlovu (22) from Glencoe in KwaZulu-Natal is currently a hairdresser with a big passion for music.

Omphethetse Digopeleng

"My love for music and my will to be the paradigm shifter to people back home is the reason I am here," said Omphethetse Digopeleng. 

"My wish to be living proof to the next generation that it is possible for a rural girl with global dreams to actually chase her dreams and live them, thus paving the way for them to also have faith accompanied by action towards achieving their dreams."