by Thinus Ferreira
From March SABC1 is shifting South African television's 4th most-watched show and the South African public broadcaster's third most-watched show to 19:30, pitting Skeem Saam up against e.tv's Scandal!, with the Peu Communications production saying the extremely aggressive timeslot "is something we will have to adjust to".
In its 12th season, the long-running youth drama series which has remained a consistent ratings buoy for the SABC and SABC1 in its early primetime timeslot of 18:30, will go up against the e.tv ratings juggernaut Scandal! in the 19:30 timeslot.
With the introduction of a human trafficking storyline, Skeem Saam with its 4.64 million viewers in December in its 18:30 berth as SABC1's third most-watched show, will now compete against Scandal!, produced by Ochre Moving Pictures and its 4.82 million viewers in December on e.tv in the 19:30 timeslot.
Since there are not really more viewers available in a given timeslot, it's likely that either Skeem Saam and SABC1 are going to shed viewers defecting to e.tv, or that Scandal! and e.tv might lose viewers to SABC1 from 4 March.
The SABC says the Skeem Saam timeslot shift is "in line with SABC Video Entertainment's strategy to
amplify its primetime local drama offering to its viewers from 19:30 to 21:30 with
SABC1's Skeem Saam, Generations - The Legacy, Uzalo and SABC2's Muvhango".
The SABC says the public broadcaster "will host two hours of back-to-back drama on the SABC Video Entertainment
platform, intentionally targeting a broader audience and ensuring the platform
remains competitive".
Skeem Saam which began in 211 was created by Winnie Serite, with the show that is set in Johannesburg and Turfloop, revolving around the "ups and downs of
teenagers trying to find their way through life's struggles".
Ofentse Thinane, SABC channel head, says "For years, the
SABC1 audience has made a plea, requesting to change the Skeem Saam timeslot,
stating that the show timeslot is too early for some as the show broadcasts
during the travelling time for a lot of the viewers".
"For SABC1, we see this as
an opportunity to make the channel edgier and braver and adapt to the
audience's needs. The world of television is an exciting platform where we
should not be afraid to adapt while upholding our responsibility to shape the
youth and societal roles."
Sumaya Petersen Mogola, Peu Communications publicity manager, says "A timeslot change in
our 12th season will definitely be a big change for us and it is
something we will have to adjust to".
"However, we are positive that the change
will give us an opportunity to expand and reach a larger audience. We have
great stories lined up, and we can't wait for our viewers to tune in."
