BBC Studios Africa expands real estate reality series franchise with Listing Coastal South Africa

by Thinus Ferreira

BBC Studios Africa has expanded its Southern Africa Listing real estate franchise with Listing Coastal South Africa which will air on its BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) channel later in 2025.

The Listing series is produced by PD Production for BBC Studios Africa. Listing Coastal South Africa will have 10 episodes.

Listing Coastal South Africa follows after Listing Jozi, Listing Cape Town of which the second season is currently on BBC Lifestyle, as well as Listing Mauritius.

According to BBC Studios Africa, Listing Coastal South Africa will show viewers property for sale along South Africa's coastline, including the KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces, including the Garden Route "all the way to the southernmost tip of Africa and the rugged charm of the West Coast".

Listing Coastal South Africa is billed as showcasing "a visual feast of architectural brilliance and coastal opulence.

"The series will spotlight South Africa's most luxurious properties nestled along the coast, offering a rare glimpse into the lifestyles of those who call these coastal paradises home. Viewers will get the chance to follow agents as they do what it takes to sell a suite of luxury homes."

Nico Nel, producer of Listing Coastal South Africa says "Listing Coastal will tell a new story of South Africa's coastline through the lens of luxury living".

"Each region has its own unique charm with incredible homes, and we're excited to bring that to life for BBC Lifestyle this year."

Trevor Kaplan, producer of Listing Coastal, says "We're venturing into areas that haven't traditionally been in the spotlight, and what we've found so far during filming is nothing short of extraordinary. These properties are world-class and so are the agents."

Pierre Cloete, BBC Studios Africa vice president, says "We're proud to continue championing premium local content that tells authentic, compelling stories".

"Listing Coastal South Africa builds on the success of the Listing franchise on BBC Lifestyle, further expanding our lineup of local shows on the channel."

"This exciting new instalment brings a fresh perspective, celebrating the breathtaking beauty of South Africa's coastline, while maintaining the exceptional quality, creativity, and storytelling our audiences know and love. I can't wait for everyone to see it."

SABC signs partnership with BBC Studios for 2-hour primetime content block on SABC3 from May.

by Thinus Ferreira

In a groundbreaking deal, South Africa's public broadcaster has acquired a raft of premium BBC content from BBC Studios that will play out as a 2-hour primetime block on weeknights on SABC3 from May in the SABC's attempt to try and revive the ratings and fortunes of the ailing TV channel.

From May the South African public broadcaster is joining with Britain's public broadcaster in unlocking an archive avalanche of high-quality content that until now was only accessible to MultiChoice's DStv subscribers who had access to the collection of traditional pay-TV channels run globally by BBC Studios.

The curated BBC Studios content as part of a multi-million rand licensing and partnership deal with the SABC will run on weeknights between 21:00 and 23:00 on SABC3 and will also be made available on the SABC+ video streaming service.

Dubbed "BBC Primetime" it will include award-winning British drama series, documentaries, lifestyle programming and factual entertainment ranging from Top Gear (seasons 14 to 17) and Luther to Death in Paradise.

Initial titles in the 2-hour block will include Cheaters, We Hunt Together, Top Gear, Billion Dollar Downfall, Sex Actually with Alice Levine, Louis Theroux Forbidden America, Undercover, Secrets of Sugar Baby Dating, Death in Paradise, Our Girl, Luther, MotherFatherSon, Critical, Louis Theroux Dark States, Trafficking Sex, Press, as well as Nigeria's Female Suicide Bombers.

The SABC hopes to lift viewership and lure advertisers to SABC3 as the public broadcaster's only commercial TV channel but also its most troubled and the most ratings-challenged of its three legacy TV channels.

"I am so excited to launch our first BBC branded block in Africa with SABC," says Pierre Cloete, BBC Studios Africa commercial director.

"BBC Primetime will be hand-picked for S3 audiences, packed with a selection of incredible programming from our award-winning catalogue. From intense thrillers, crime dramas and inspiring documentaries, this marks our first block for free-to-air audiences in South Africa, giving 13 million homes access to BBC Studios shows. I can't wait for the 2024 launch."

Asked how the deal came about, Cloete said "the DNA between the BBC and the SABC is almost the same - the BBC's got the same mandate as the SABC. That connection is very important".

"We understand public broadcasting, we understand audiences. When we spoke with the SABC it was a no-brainer to work together and to bring something special and unique to audiences."

Binge-watch BBC dramas

Pierre Cloete said "drama we know is super important - but not in the old, traditional way of scheduling drama one episode, once a week.

"BBC dramas will be scheduled Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays as a strip on SABC3, so you can basically binge-watch these, plus get it on SABC+ as a 14-day catch-up so you can watch a whole series in one go, which I think is amazing".

"We're also pushing documentaries - I think there's a huge demand for that on SABC3. Thirdly, we're also putting entertainment into the mix. We're taking proven content, we're taking premium strategies and implementing it into this block."

David Makubyane, the SABC's head of TV channels, says "One of the important things that we had to look at is the commercial sustainability of the SABC".

"You can go with the old way of doing business. That's why we started looking at different models. There are a variety of models that we look at. This one in particular looks at a BBC block of content on SABC3 from 21:00 until 23:00. This will now be a BBC-branded block. This is a new model for the SABC. We're not talking about library content. We're talking crème de la crème BBC."

"It's the latest BBC crème de la crème content that's going to sit there, with us partnering and making sure that the brand of SABC3 brings in audiences. At the same time the partnership ensures that we remain commercially viable."

"The content works because we are both public broadcasters. We know this is content that will resonate with the South African audience."

Asked about whether there could be any original BBC-SABC co-production for SABC3, Makubyane said "this is only the beginning".

"At the moment, it's obviously finished product but the relationship with the BBC is one where we are seeing how do we collaborate - how do we do co-productions? So yes, hopefully in the future we will start seeing that the SABC and the BBC co-produce content together."

Sane Zondi, SABC programming manager, says "This partnership with BBC Studios is born out of the need for us to fulfil our commitment in delivering high-quality international content to our viewers".

"We are excited to have access to a vast catalogue from the BBC and the unlimited world-class entertainment our viewers will be able to enjoy through BBC Primetime on SABC3. The deal allows us to bring back some of the iconic BBC titles to our viewers which formed weekly habitual viewing, with Top Gear being the most notable one."

"We look forward to seeing some of the sentiments and reactions across our social media platforms on this great new era on our channel."

BBC Studios Africa commissions second season of Rapid Blue's Homegrown Tastes SA with Lorna Maseko for BBC Lifestyle in 2023.

by Thinus Ferreira

BBC Studios Africa has commissioned Rapid Blue to film a second season of Homegrown Tastes South Africa with presenter Lorna Maseko, with the next season which will start on BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174) in 2023.

Filming on the second season of Homegrown Tastes SA will take place in December 2022 for 7 weeks.

Pierre Cloete, BBC Studios Africa commercial director, says in a statement that "We are thrilled to bring another season of Homegrown Tastes South Africa to BBC Lifestyle audiences and to have the wonderful Lorna Maseko returning to our screens".

"We've seen a  real appetite for local content and this announcement reflects our commitment to bring even more local commissions to the channel. It's very exciting to have season 2 ready for production and to see the show going from strength to strength."

Ziyanda Ngcaba, Rapid Blue managing director, in the statement says "We're thrilled that the first season of Homegrown Tastes South Africa received such a positive response from BBC Lifestyle viewers. Having been awarded a second season, we can't wait to cook up more deliciousness and showcase the wonders of South Africa".

"It's amazing to work with the talented Lorna Maseko again - she really is the heart that brings the series to life."

Lorna Maseko, in the statement says "I am so excited that Homegrown Tastes South Africa is returning to  BBC Lifestyle for a second season. To celebrate South Africa's incredible produce and the people behind the magic, is what makes this show so special".

"The response to season one was incredible and I can't wait for audiences to discover even more local stories, delicious recipes and inspirational chefs. I'm so ready for this journey and I can't wait for BBC Lifestyle's audiences to join me next year."

BBC Studios Africa unveils its Summer 2022 slate: Come Dine with Me SA, Prince William conservation series and Frozen Planet II in early-2023.

by Thinus Ferreira

BBC Studios Africa unveiled its upcoming Summer 2022 content slate of its BBC TV channels in South Africa to advertisers, with a new season of Come Dine with Me South Africa starting on 12 October on BBC Lifestyle, a conservation series fronted by Prince William starting in November, and the second season of Frozen Planet making its debut on BBC Earth in February 2023.

ALSO READ: IN IMAGES. The BBC Studios Africa Summer 2022 upfront in 37 photos and 9 videos and channel sizzle reels.

Pierre Cloete, commercial director for BBC Studios Africa, noted that BBC Studios Africa's collection of linear TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv pay-TV service has now passed 2 million viewers weekly.

"Currently we're sitting at around 2 million unique viewers per week who watch our channels so that's quite a big feat for us to hit that 2 million mark. Since 2019 we've seen growth year-on-year and this is across our five channels of BBC Brit, BBC Earth, BBC Lifestyle, CBeebies and BBC World News."

BBC BRIT (DStv 120)

The Weakest Link UK (season 1)

A reboot of The Weakest Link starts on BBC Brit on Wednesday 21 September at 20:00 for a 10-episode season with new host Romesh Ranganathan. Nine contestants will work together to answer questions and bank as much money as possible as players are voted out at the end of each round.

Strictly Come Dancing UK (season 20)

The shiny floor dance competition show is back from Saturday 25 September at 19:00 for 25 episodes, with the South African dancers Johannes Radebe and Cameron Lombard once again part of the contestant pairs strutting their stuff on the dance floor.

Dragon's Den (season 19)

A new set of eager entrepreneurs will be showing up in the 19th season from Thursday 6 October at 20:00 for 14 episodes,, hoping to strike a life-changing deal, as they pitch their business ideas to five multimillionaires. The Dragons - Peter Jones, Deborah Meaden, Touker Suleyman and Sara Davies are joined by Steven Bartlett, the youngest ever Dragon, a 29-year-old entrepreneur and podcast host.

Pointless (season 25)

A new 55-episode season of Pointless will debut on BBC Brit in November when the brainy quiz returns for season 22 and contestants trying to score as few points as possible by plumbing the depths of their general knowledge to come up with the answers no one else could think of. Presented by Alexander Armstrong and co-host Richard Osman.

Mrs Browns' Boys Christmas special

Three episodes in December. It's Christmas in Finglas, and Mrs Brown is coping with life after lockdown. As she gets news of a very special competition, Grandad, Winnie and Father Damien come to her for help.

Father Brown (season 10)

A new 10-episode, 10th season of this crime drama series coming in January 2023. Set in the 1950s in the heart of the beautiful English countryside, Father Brown, the Catholic priest who also happens to have a particular talent for solving crimes, is back in this adaptation of GK Chesterton's novels.

QI (season 21)

There will be 14 new episodes in January 2023 of this British quiz show with more celebrity guests and more weird and wonderful general knowledge. Sandi Toksvig returns as host.

BBC LIFESTYLE (DStv 174)

Come Dine with Me South Africa (season 8)

The 8th season of Come Dine with Me SA, produced by Rapid Blue, will have 12 episodes, once again featuring voiceover legend Dave Lamb. Four strangers per episode, from across South Africa, once again each get a chance to entertain each other, and then scoring it with snark from Wednesday 12 October at 20:00.

Great Pottery Throw Down (season 5)

The search for Britain's best home potter continues with a new season of 10 episodes, starting on Monday 17 October at 20:00. Over 35 gruelling days and 18 different challenges, the potters must make earthenware kitchen bowls, ornate but functional chandeliers and super-sized garden sculptures, among many other household objects.

Nadiya's Fast Flavours

A new series with 6 episodes starting in January 2023 in which Nadiya Hussain inspires viewers to bring the fun back into everyday meals with easy and delicious recipes.

Jamie and Jimmy's Food Fight Club (season 9)

In January 2023 celebrity chef Jamie Oliver is back together with Jimmy Doherty for 8 episodes to whip up easy recipes and to have hilarious conversations with celebrity guests. As well as candid chats and cooking at their cafe on the pier in Southend, they travel around defending great British ingredients and putting them to work in good-humoured battles with prized local delicacies around Europe.

Bake-Off  -The Professionals (season 5)

In January 2023 viewers can watch the 5th season with 10 episodes, as 12 teams from across Britain compete to craft exquisite entremets, delicious desserts and spectacular showpieces in a bid to impress world-renowned judges Benoit Blin and Cherish Finden.

BBC EARTH (DStv 184)

Dynasties (season 2)

A second season of Dynasties will start on BBC Earth on Sunday 2 October at 16:15 for 6 episodes. This series immerses viewers in every gentle moment, poignant event and heart-wrenching betrayal as animals strive to create dynasties fit to rule for generations. 

A cheetah must prepare her daughters to survive alone. An inexperienced elephant unites her herd facing their greatest challenge – twins. High in the mountains a puma and her cubs face a battle for survival. Family rivalries cause chaos within a clan of hyenas. New alliances must form to care for the young of a troupe of macaques. Will a gang of meerkats survive the drought and rebuild their shattered dynasty?

The Earthshot Prize: Repairing Our Planet

On Sunday 13 November this new series of 5 episodes starts and is focused around the Earthshot initiative to save the planet. Facing up to the urgent need to fix our climate, restore nature and build a waste-free world can feel overwhelming. This pioneering series, fronted by Prince William and his team of high-profile champions, explores these simple but ambitious Earthshots – five goals crucial to the survival of our precious planet, and to life itself.

Inside the Factory (season 7)

A seventh season of this engineering series will come to BBC Earth in 2023 with 9 new episodes. Gregg Wallace takes his love of food back to the source - the factories that feed us - to find out how some of our favourite foods get made. Stepping into a different factory each episode, he uncovers the amazing processes behind the production of bread, dairy and confectionery.

Ben Fogle: Return to the Wild (season 3)

In January 2023 adventurer Ben Fogle revisits people around the world who turned their backs on the rat race to set up homes in some of Earth's most remote locations in 9 new episodes. Ben returns to Norway to meet the woman living on a remote island. He revisits the owner of a guest house located deep in the Sahara. And he goes to Wales to find out how a family who built their own eco home are coping. Ben discovers what's changed for these compelling characters as he learns about the challenges they’ve faced since he first spent time with them. Is life in the wild still their ultimate dream?

Life Below Zero (season 10)

There are 19 new episodes in the 10th season of this eye-opening series that follows the drama and hardships experienced by four Alaskan households in different corners of this merciless territory, as they battle to make it through a long, dark, freezing winter. Life is all about survival in the face of unrelenting weather, scarce resources and man-eating carnivores.

Frozen Planet (season 2)

There will be 6 episodes in the second season of this groundbreaking natural history series exploring the north and south poles - covering everything from wolves hunting huge bison across vast snowy plains to killer whales using cunning techniques to stalk their prey.

CBEEBIES (DStv 306)

Postman Pat: Special Delivery Service (season 2)

There are 26 new episodes in the second season, starting 3 October at 17:40. Everyone's favourite postie is back with an even more challenging set of deliveries. Whatever the people of Greendale and Pencaster need, Postman Pat comes to the rescue. Racing ducks, cowboys, a big ukelele band, bagpipes, geckos and digeridoos are all part of the fun in this new season.

Noddy: Toyland Detectives (season 2)

Noddy continues his detective adventures in 55 new episodes from Monday 3 October at 18:20 as he and his friends set out to solve mysteries in Toyland. 

Ranger Hamza's Eco Quest (season 1)

Wildlife expert Ranger Hamza takes his young Ramblers on a journey from cities to the countryside to discover conservation in all its forms in this new show, starting Monday 17 October at 10:45 for 20 episodes. Using his extensive knowledge of UK wildlife, conservation expert Ranger Hamza and his team of young Ramblers search for new Eco Heroes to discover the important part they play in conservation and sustainability.

Shaun the Sheep (season 2)

There are 40 episodes, starting in November, of the world's favourite award-winning sheep, Shaun, and his hilarious farmyard antics, together with the Farmer and the long-suffering sheepdog Bitzer.

JoJo & Gran Gran (season 2)

The heartwarming animated series has 10 new episodes, celebrating the special relationship between an inquisitive girl and her vibrant grandmother is back. JoJo adores spending time with her energetic Gran Gran, who is always ready with a "Gran Gran Plan" when JoJo comes to visit. Gran Gran moved to the UK from Saint Lucia when she was a young girl and the culture of Saint Lucia is woven across the show.

Swashbuckle (season 8)

The Swashbucklers are back for 26 new episodes from December in this adventure gameshow as they help Gem win back stolen treasure from naughty pirates. Set in a shipwreck, the swashbucklers are a team of six and seven-year-old pirates who undertake a number of large physical team games to win jewels.

Hey Duggee (season 4)

Ten further episodes from December in which the big lovable dog Duggee and the little Squirrels have fun earning achievement badges. The Squirrels each have their own distinctive personalities, but they all love playing, learning and making friends together.

ALSO READ: IN IMAGES. The BBC Studios Africa Summer 2022 upfront in 37 photos and 9 videos and channel sizzle reels.

Former M-Net and Econet's Kwesé TV exec Pierre Cloete jumps to BBC Studios as new commercial director for the set of BBC channels in South Africa and Africa.

Pierre Cloete, a former M-Net boss at MultiChoice and Econet's Kwesé TV former Kwesé Sports boss has jumped to BBC Studios where he has been appointed as the new commercial director for the set of BBC channels that BBC Studios runs in South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa, known as its "branded services".

"Branded services" is how BBC Studios describes its portfolio of BBC branded channels - BBC Brit, BBC Lifestyle, BBC First, BBC Earth, CBeebies, and BBC World News which it supplies to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service in South Africa and Africa, with BBC World News that's also available on China's StarTimes's elsewhere in Africa and its StarSat in South Africa, eMedia Investment's Openview and the Cell C black video streaming service. 

Pierre Cloete's role and responsibility in the role of commercial director for branded services for sub-Saharan Africa will be around delivering on the revenues, profit and growth for the set of BBC branded channels across sub-Saharan Africa, and working with existing partners and exploring new business development opportunities.

His appointment comes after BBC Studios's restructuring of its Central Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEMA) region that has left South Africa and Africa without any hands-on in-country boss and that saw the abrupt exit of BBC Africa boss Joel Churcher in July 2019 after 5 years.

Continuing to be based in Johannesburg, South Africa and reporting into BBC Africa's advertising boss Louise La Grange, who is the senior vice president of branded services commercial, Pierre Cloete will start on 1 September 2019.

 Pierre Cloete is jumping ship from the struggling Econet's imploding Kwese TV pay-TV operation in Zimbabwe and South Africa where he most recently was Kwesé Sports acting CEO and the head of Kwesé Sports Digital Content.

Before this Pierre Cloete was at Ericsson South Africa for 2 years as head of TV and media, and before that worked for 8 years at M-Net.

Before joining MultiChoice in the SuperSport division, Pierre Cloete started his TV industry career with the Johannesburg-based production company Rapid Blue, which has ironically grown to become BBC Studios Africa's preferred production partner on current and upcoming series ranging from Come Dine with Me South Africa to First Dates South Africa.

"The appointment of a commercial director for Sub-Saharan Africa signals our ongoing commitment to the market and a continued local presence on the ground," says Louise La Grange in a supplied statement on Monday.

"Pierre has a proven track record in the African television industry and I am confident that his experience and local knowledge will put BBC Studios in the best position to achieve our ambitions for growth."

Pierre Cloete in a supplied quote says "I am delighted to join BBC Studios as commercial director for Branded Services across sub-Saharan Africa".

"The quality of the BBC channels and its content is first class, and it is an honour to join the BBC Studios team."

"Africa is filled with amazing people that enjoy great stories and love quality content. The potential is ever increasing in Africa as more stories are being told and consumed and I look forward to adding value to the BBC Studios team."

BREAKING. Pierre Cloete resigns at M-Net as director of M-Net channels; 'I leave behind a strong team capable of taking M-Net into the future'.

You're reading it here first.

I can exclusively break the news and reveal that Pierre Cloete, director of the M-Net, M-Net Series and M-Net Movies channels has resigned and will be leaving M-Net at the end of June after 18 years at the South African pay-TV broadcaster.

It's a big loss for M-Net, and Pierre Cloete's resignation will come as a shock to many in South Africa's TV industry.

The highly respected Pierre Cloete, well-liked not just inside Randburg but also by the South African TV industry, has a vast knowledge of the pay-TV business as well as a deep understanding of the television industrial complex and television content creation business.

I was told that Pierre Cloete is leaving for Ericsson South Africa, heading up a newly formed content and media division at their offices in Woodmead, Johannesburg.

Pierre Cloete is the second director leaving M-Net following the appointment of Yolisa Phahle as new CEO of M-Net South Africa in April. M-Net announced in April that Biola Alabi, M-Net Africa's managing director for special projects is leaving to study at Yale University. She is not returning to M-Net.

Pierre Cloete who started his TV career in South Africa as a promo producer for Rapid Blue on the SuperSport account joined SuperSport in 1996.

In 2006 he became M-Net's marketing manager for local productions and in 2008 his portfolio increased to include the marketing of M-Net's international programming, as well as the then TV-channels, M-Net Movies 1 and M-Net Movies 2. From there he became channel head of M-Net and M-Net HD in 2009.

In April 2012 Pierre Cloete was appointed as M-Net director for movie channels, overseeing the set of successful M-Net Movies channels supplied to MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform.

His job description then expanded to include oversight of the M-Net branded channels as director of M-Net, the set of 3 M-Net Series channels and the set of 8 M-Net Movies channels.

During his time at M-Net Pierre Cloete was involved in the much-loved "Stand Up for the Champions" campaign for SuperSport, created the award-winning "Tooth Fairy", "Super heroes" and "Magic Studios" campaigns as well as the marketing launch of SuperSport 3.

Recent M-Net viewership TV hits like MasterChef South Africa and Survivor South Africa: Champions were created during his tenure.

"It was a personal decision to expand my career and venture into something new," says Pierre Cloete. "I loved my time with M-Net and I am very proud of the channels and shows that we have produced. I leave behind a strong team capable of taking M-Net into the future".

"Pierre has played a valuable role in launching and establishing the M-Net channels," says Yolisa Phahle, CEO for M-Net South Africa. "We thank him for his contribution and wish him every success with his new venture at Ericsson".

With 'room for improvement' the M-Net Series Zone channel on DStv is adding drama to give viewers a bigger variety of content.

M-Net Series Zone (DStv 115) - the snubbed and somewhat-stepchild of the M-Net Series trio of channels - is getting attention and content improvement to help lift the underperforming entertainment channel from M-Net on DStv's satellite pay-TV platform.

When M-Net Series split to become three channels on MultiChoice's DStv service in July 2013, DStv subscribers on lower bouquets were instantly - and justifiably - very upset about the perceived "downgrade".

TV shows and series that they were able to watch on M-Net Series as a single channel, suddenly disappeared with the launch of M-Net Series Zone - the TV channel they now had access to.

M-Net responded swiftly to the criticism to return and make available on M-Net Series Zone the TV series and programmes viewers on lower DStv bouquets were busy watching.

Since July 2013, grumblings about the channel proposition and offering of M-Net Series Zone has however continued - although not as vocal as during the flare-up just after launch when DStv subscribers demanded immediate corrective steps.

M-Net Series Zone viewers and DStv subscribers continued to feel that M-Net Series Zone is no longer a must-watch destination TV channel, that shows that should be on it no longer are shown, that the scheduling is problematic, that the programming is erratic and obtuse (seemingly random omnibus repeats littered the schedule), and that shows took too long to appear on the schedule.

Viewers voted with their eyeballs and M-Net Series Zone viewership sagged and lagged - something M-Net is trying to fix.

M-Net Series Zone has started to make changes both to the programming and scheduling, as well as the tempo of rolling out shows on M-Net Series Zone - the kind of shows, and how quickly they're going to be shown, as part of a refocused effort to improve the channel.

TV with Thinus asked M-Net whether M-Net Series Zone is being "revamped" or "restructured" as a TV channel in terms of improving the offering on on-air content and how soon its being shown after being on M-Net (DStv 101) and M-Net Series Showcase (DStv 113).

"M-Net is constantly looking at ways to improve our channels with compelling new content and more great shows," says Pierre Cloete, director of the M-Net and M-Net Series channels.

"Recently, we ascertained that M-Net Series Zone needed more drama series to give viewers a bigger variety of content. The shows are still being broadcast on M-Net Series Zone after their screenings on M-Net or M-Net Series Showcase, but within the first pay-TV window, making it 'first' to DStv Compact viewers," says Pierre Cloete.

Asked whether it's correct to say that M-Net Series Zone has not been performing to expectation or not performing in terms of the viewership that M-Net or DStv would have wanted to, he says that "it's true that there's room for improvement".

"We want to grow audiences on M-Net Series Zone as much as possible," says Pierre Cloete.

"We think M-Net Series Zone is an excellent TV channel with the very best shows from the United States".

"We have made scheduling improvements such as adding an additional drama slot at 19:30 and we are also embarking on a new marketing drive and campaign to promote the great content on the channel and to entice potential viewers to try out the channel".

M-Net on DStv subscribers angry over M-Net Series changes: 'Shows are still on DStv Compact, just in a slightly later window.'

M-Net addressed angry DStv subscribers' resentment over M-Net Series channel changes on radio, saying that DStv subscribers and M-Net series' viewers are actually going to get and see more new content on the new M-Net Series Zone (DStv 115) channel in coming months.

DStv subscribers who used to watch shows on M-Net Series (DStv 114) only to see their content stop and be cut when the M-Net Series channel split into three M-Net Series channels are fuming after only M-Net Series Zone was made available on the DStv Compact bouquet - without their shows.

M-Net Series Showcase (DStv 113) which grew out of M-Net Series as the premium channel, has not been made available by MultiChoice for DStv Compact subscribers. DStv Compact subscribers feel that M-Net Series has been substituted by a lesser channel and are angry that shows they followed are no longer available now.

TV with Thinus broke the news last week that DStv subscribers started an online petition, prompted by the M-Net Series channel changes which were introduced.

The petition states that "it has become apparent that DStv has complete disregard for their Compact and Select package subscribers. Taking away a channel we had previous access to is the final straw. We request that the original M-Net Series channel be reinstated or that access to all three new M-Net Series channels be granted to all DStv subscribers."

The online petition at www.ipetitions.com/petition/non-premium-dstv-subscribers-unite/ which was started last week, keeps drawing page after page of responses from subscribers saying things like "it is totally unacceptable to remove a channel that we used to be able to watch with all the reality and series shows and the cheek to still charge us the same price. What a shame."

"The recent changes that was made in the last week or so to DStv Compact has maybe created some of these complaints that's coming out now," Pierre Cloete, M-Net's director for general entertainment channels told John Webb on talk radio702 after news about the petition broke.

"We actually tried to improve a lot of the channels that's currently on the bouquet," Pierre Cloete explained.

"The complaints mainly are that some of the shows that's been on M-Net Series are now not on the DStv Compact bouquet anymore, it's on the Premium bouquet."

"The changes that we've made are specifically trying to expand our series offering into three very dedicated channels," explained Pierre Cloete.

"The first one is M-Net Series Showcase. It's also in HD. A lot of premium first-run content goes onto this channel. We've actually lifted up this channel. We've rebranded the channel and we've added a lot of brand-new series to this Series Showcase channel."

"Then we've created M-Net Series Reality channel which is dedicated to reality content and talk shows."

"Then M-Net Series Zone which still carries all the great shows that used to be on Compact. They're still on Compact, they're just in a slightly later window," said Pierre Cloete.

"We've also increased the actual content on M-Net Series Zone; because now we're taking the best from M-Net, the best from Showcase and we're putting it on Zone for the Compact subscriber. So overall the Compact subscriber in the long run in the next few month will  see a lot of new content coming through on the M-Net Series Zone channel."

Regarding the number of repeats which viewers complain about, Pierre Cloete said "we're not really concerned."

"We do look at international channels. We look at other pay channels. The basis of pay television is there are repeats. It's not really a negative in many cases to be honest. I know some viewers do see it as negative. On our channels our viewers actually want the repeats because they do miss shows. There's so many shows on at the moment," explained Pierre Cloete.

"If you don't have any repeats people miss it and they don't actually get to watch it. We don't repeat anything in primetime. All your primetime shows are premium shows and we mainly repeat 'off primetime' for people to catch up."

"On the M-Net side we don't really see repeats as a negative. There are complaints obviously across the board. We try and limit it. We don't play shows more than 4, 5 times on a channel. So it doesn't really get repeated a lot and its more for the convenience factor," said Pierre Cloete on 702.

BREAKING. Survivor South Africa reality format show to return to M-Net with Survivor South Africa: Champions and Nico Panagio as host.

You're reading it here first.

Survivor South Africa is set to return to South African TV screens on M-Net for another season with Nico Panagio as host and two teams divided under either rugby player Corne Krige or soccer player Mark Fish as tribe captains.

The pay-TV broadcaster made the announcement on social media to journalists just before the lunch hour in a closed Facebook group after dropping hints and teaser questions since Thursday morning.

Always coy regarding contestants, M-Net teased that two South African sporting stars are included in the new crop of contestants before revealing that it will be Corne Krige and Mark Fish who will be heading up two tribes in Survivor South Africa: Champions. In a new twist, Corne Krige and Mark Fish won't be voted off.

Survivor South Africa: Champions will be filmed towards the end of 2013 at an as yet undisclosed location and will be done by the Endemol South Africa production company.

South African citizens older than 18 will be able to enter from the beginning of July for a possible place on Survivor South Africa: Champions to endure "the harshest of circumstances".

"Mark and Corne are both highly competitive and physically strong but have different personalities," says Pierre Cloete, M-Net director for general entertainment channels. "It will be fascinating to see how these tribe captains strategise to get their team ahead and how they deal with the multiple challenges on the island."

Sivan Pillay, the managing director of Endemol South Africa promises "many surprises" in the new season.

"Pitting two champions with the gravitas of Mark and Corne against each other opens up plenty of opportunities for curveballs and additional pressure on the contestants."

Mark Fish says he wants to be surrounded by individuals who "will showcase their individual qualities that will help the team progress".

Corne Krige says he likes "tribe members who are tough when the tough gets going and have a fighting spirit".

BREAKING. M-Net Series talk shows moving from 9 July to the brand-new M-Net Series Reality channel.

The existing talk shows on M-Net Series (DStv 114) will be moving to the brand-new M-Net Series Reality (DStv 115) channel from 9 July when the new M-Net Series Showcase, M-Net Series Reality and M-Net Series Zone channels launch on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service.

It's part of the big news story I warned yesterday is coming today, and the headline making news story TV with Thinus brought you first and which I've been tracking all day.

ALSO READ: As M-Net's M-Net Series cluster channel brand finally breaks out if its shell, its finally able to grow and soar.
ALSO READ: DStv and M-Net missing out on a golden opportunity to start M-Net Series Sci-Fi as a separate new TV channel.

Current M-Net Series talkers such as Ellen, Jerry Springer and The Doctors are set for a channel hop. "The very best in talk shows will also be scheduled on the channel," says M-Net in a statement. This means that viewers will be able to find two of the most popular genres on global television - reality and talk shows - all in one place."

M-Net says M-Net Series Showcase which will be in HD on DStv for DStv Premium subscribers, "will be the high-definition playground of the series world's latest big-name shows with all its flamboyant characters. The channel will feature fresh, superior quality content in all popular genres - from comedy and drama to fantasy, crime and suspense."

M-Net Series Showcase which will be on channel 113 from 9 July on DStv "will also be the channel where fans of series can devour all their favourites in one sitting, with marathons of back-to-back weekend screenings."

M-Net Series Zone, a rerun series channel which will be available on the lower-tiered DStv Compact bouquet "will include content specifically catering to DStv Compact customers. The shows will also be packaged in such a way that back-to-back screenings, especially over weekends, will make it easy for everyone to catch up on all the series action they may have missed."

M-Net Series Zone will "boast special festivals and themes, and much more. This will be series 'heaven'," says M-Net.

"M-Net's fantastic reputation in broadcasting is built on screening the world's best movies and series," says Pierre Cloete, director of M-Net channels at the pay-TV broadcaster.

"These new channels allow us to do it even better, with well-designed tailor-made schedules for every taste. In line with our very successful defined channel offerings in the movie arena, we are now collating our incredible series portfolio in an easy to find, well structured, channel offering. We are specifically catering to the varying tastes of our DStv Premium and DStv Compact viewers," says Pierre Cloete.

M-Net's Pierre Cloete explains why it immediately pulled its '28 Days of Oscar' marketing campaign after Oscar Pistorius shooting scandal.

Pierre Cloete, M-Net's director of channels explained on M-Net's weekly current affairs magazine show Carte Blanche why the pay-TV broadcaster very quickly pulled the commercial advertising campaign "28 Days of Oscar" with Oscar Pistorius  after he shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

In contrast, SABC1 and Samantha Moon, the executive producer of Tropika Island of Treasure 5: Jamaica kept the commercial advertiser-funded production (AFP) on the air on the public broadcaster  as scheduled which now shows the dead Reeva Steenkamp as one of the contestants.

"We were also shocked like the rest of South Africa, but we needed to show some respect, firstly for the families, but also its a very sensitive situation that we've found ourselves in," Pierre Cloete said to Carte Blanche. "The campaign that we launched was quite humorous, it was lighthearted."

He was asked whether there was any consideration to keep the campaign going. "Definitely not. It was the best decision in our opinion to pull the campaign as soon as possible," said Pierre Cloete.

"Research typically suggest they've [sponsors and advertisers] typically got 10 days. As shareholders look at consumer response to sponsorship relationships, those typically play out after 5 to 6 days," Michael Goldman, a senior lecturer at GIBS told Carte Blanche.

When Tiger Woods fell from grace it took some sponsors a few weeks to react.

"Brands that were associated with Tiger Woods that did not withdraw immediately, within 10 days lost $12 billion of their share value in the first 10 days that they continued to be associated with the athlete," said Michael Goldman.

OSCAR GOES AWESOME. M-Net Movies gets Oscar Pistorius for a hilarious TV commercial and its new 28 Days of Oscars campaign.

It's hilarious: A brand-new TV commercial with Oscar Pistorius and two dim-witted office cubicle baffoons which M-Net's M-Net Movies division is going to be using during February to draw attention to its Oscar month campaign.

The Oscar Pistorius M-Net Movies TV advert was done by Bevan Cullinan (Fresheye Films) and Clearwater. Oscar Pistorius and M-Net Movies is promoting the movie channels' set of Oscar-winning movies leading up to the actual Academy Awards which M-Net will be showing in South Africa on Monday 25 February in a "28 Days of Oscars" campaign.

Viewers will be able to look out for daily "Oscar's Picks" and "Oscar's Nods".

"We are honoured to work with an international icon as renowned as Oscar," says Pierre Cloete, the channel director for M-Net Movies. "The brand's core values of freshness and adventure will further be amplified by his association and will assist in promoting the M-Net Movies brand."

"I had a lot of fun shooting it, as it was totally different from the norm," says Oscar Pistorius. I'm sure the public will enjoy it as much as I did."

Pistorius is a clever media meme master. Currently gracing the magazine covers of GQ and Sarie, his 2011 ad for Thierry Muggler for A*Men perfume created big buzz.

BREAKING. Idols returns to M-Net and Mzansi Magic for a 9th season with nationwide auditions starting in February.

Idols is officially returning for a 9th season to M-Net and Mzansi Magic as a co-production with nationwide auditions for the reality show which will start in February.

With viewership remaining strong for the reality show - it's the show with the highest viewership on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and still performs well for M-Net (DStv 101) - it was inevitable that Idols would return for another season.

"2012's incredibly successful Idols season 8 proved that there are many unearthed gems in the country, waiting to be discovered," says Pierre Cloete, now with his new title from 2013 in the capacity of director of M-Net Channels.

Contestants will once again be able to queue for Idols auditions:
Saturday 2 February Cape Town Grandwest Entertainment World
Saturday 16 February Soweto Soweto Theatre
Saturday 2 March Durban Playhouse
Saturday 23 March Johannesburg Sandton Convention Centre

"Idols is the biggest musical platform in the country," says Yolisa Phahle, M-net's director for local general entertainment channels of which Mzansi Magic forms part. "It's about becoming a household name, being mentored by the biggest artists and the opportunity to hone skills.

People between 16 and 30 can enter for the ninth season of Idols. Those younger than 18 have to be accompanied by a parent or guardian and all contestants will be asked to present their ID documents during registration which will take place on the day of auditioning. Musical instruments will again be allowed in the audition room.

M-Net management shake-up: Theo Erasmus shifts to help AfricaMagic; Pierre Cloete moves to oversight of M-Net, M-Net Series from 2013.

You're reading it here first. 

I can exclusively break the news that major top executive changes are coming to M-Net as the Randburg-based pay-TV operator will make Theo Erasmus the new channel director in South Africa for the AfricaMagic channels and Pierre Cloete will take over overseeing both the M-Net (DStv 101) and M-Net Series (DStv 114) channels in addition to his current work load from January 2013.

The top executive changes, not yet publicly announced, are part of a internal management restructuring under M-Net CEO Patricia van Rooyen.

The executive changes at M-Net, according to insiders, include Biola Alabi in Nigeria who is currently M-Net Africa's managing director who will remain the managing director of M-Net Africa but getting assistance from Theo Erasmus.

Theo Erasmus, currently M-Net's director for general entertainment, is becoming the channel director based in South Africa for the rebranded AfricaMagic channels since the packaging and the operations of that division happens from this country. He will be overseeing the day-to-day operations for the AfricaMagic channels for a 2 year period.

During this time Theo Erasmus and Biola Alabi will have to work together to find and groom a new chief operating officer (COO) for this expanding operational division. Theo Erasmus will move to this position and new title from 1 January 2013 and will be reporting directly to Patricia van Rooyen.

Meanwhile Pierre Cloete, currently the director of the M-Net Movies channels since this year after he was the M-Net channel head, is being moved into a bigger management role, expanding to oversight over the M-Net and M-Net Series channels, also from 1 January. He will also be reporting directly to Patricia van Rooyen I'm told about the M-Net Movies channels, as well as these two M-Net channels - now placing all M-Net branded TV channels under his control.

According to sources the changes are part of M-Net's focus on increasing local content across Africa whilst containing costs and relooking at all sistems regarding the licensing and acquisition processes and channel packaging as part of M-Net's plan to launch more channels across the continent.

Mzansi Magic channel head Lebone Maema leaving the 2 year old channel at the end of August.

Lebone Maema, the channel head of Mzansi Magic (DStv 107) is leaving the TV channel and Mzansi Magic tells me his last day will be on 31 August.

Mzansi Magic will turn 2 years old on 12 July and is one of the locally produced TV channels within the M-Net stable. The position as channel head of Mzansi Magic has been advertised the channel tells me. There is no word on where Lebone Maema is heading next or why he's leaving.

In the meantime, after a period of 3 months the M-Net and M-Net HD channel(s) are still without a channel head or an acting channel head, following the promotion of Pierre Cloete who is now the director of all of M-Net's movie channels.

Lebone Maema was instrumental in a string of new locally-produced TV commissions for South African television. His time at Mzansi Magic will contain and include the biggest TV footnote: the establishment of the  telenovela iNkaba which started production at the end of last year and started broadcasting on Mzansi Magic earlier this year.

BREAKING. Pierre Cloete is M-Net's new Director: M-Net Movie Channels from April in newly created executive position.

You're reading it here first.

Pierre Cloete is M-Net's new director for all of M-Net's current (and soon coming, and expanding, genre specific movie channels - read that story here) movie channels.

M-Net just announced that Pierre Cloete is the pay TV broadcaster's new director: M-Net Movie Channels - a newly created job which M-Net advertiser in December. Pierre Cloete is currently the channel head for the M-Net channel (DStv 101) and M-Net HD (DStv 170).

Since Pierre Cloete applied for this new position, he's basically being promoted. He will take up the job on 1 April. I'm told that the position of M-Net channel head will now be vacant; M-Net will be advertising for that position now.

M-Net insiders told me recently the new high-level job has been created in part for the major expansion of new M-Net movie channels coming - the first of which are envisioned for September. This will form part of a major realignment of ''genre''-fication of the existing and to-start movie channels to follow the Sky model in channel clustering in Britain. The position has been created specifically because of the much greater product offering and wider scope for which M-Net will require a specifically responsible executive.

''Pierre Cloete will be spearheading a brand new M-Net business unit, which will focus solely on the acquisition and scheduling of movies for the M-Net family of channels,'' says M-Net in a statement.

''M-Net is delighted to welcome this dynamic television expert to our executive team,'' says Patricia Scholtemeyer, M-Net CEO in the statement. [Note that Patricia Scholtemeyer is the person quoted in the press release; when I wrote about this in December, I said the person in this new position which M-Net is creating is going to be an executive who will be directly answerable to her.]

''He has excelled in the fields of both marketing and channel management and has proven to be a respected leader in our business. We are confident that he will take one of M-Net's bigger properties – our movies – to the next level,'' says Patricia Scholtemeyer.

Pierre Cloete who started his TV career in South Africa as a promo producer for Rapid Blue on the SuperSport account joined SuperSport in 1996. In 2006 he became M-Net's marketing manager for local productions and in 2008 his portfolio increased to include the marketing of M-Net's international programming, as well as M-Net Movies 1 and M-Net Movies 2. From there he became channel head of M-Net and M-Net HD.

''I am honoured to have been part of M-Net's magical history for 15 years and look forward to the next chapter in my career. M-Net viewers love their movies and this new movie division will invest plenty of energy to enhance everyone's viewing experience.''

[Editor's note: I've come to know Pierre Cloete as I've did several M-Net executives over the past years, he always says yes for interviews whether it's official or whether I ask him if I can ask him a few questions and record him when I run into him at a cocktail TV biz party. He always handles all my toughest questions beautifully and will always answer. I saw him as recently as this past Thursday in Johannesburg at the MasterChef South Africa press launch; I think he's very professional, he definitely struck me as an executive who knows his stuff and television long ago; I think it's a great appointment. Congratulations, Pierre Cloete.]

BREAKING. Idols back on M-Net for an 8th season with nationwide auditions kicking off in February.

In October RIGHT HERE, I 100% guaranteed that Idols will be back on M-Net due to its massive viewership success - something the South African pay broadcaster just made it official by announcing the nationwide audition process for the 8th season to kick off in February.

The upcoming 8th season of Idols will again be shown on M-Net (DStv 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv 107) simultaneously. Gavin Wratten will again be the executive producer and series director with Nevermachine Entertainment producing the reality show.

The 7th season of Idols in 2011 took exactly 4 episodes to become the most watched show on M-Net in June last year. Without the need to bash someone's face in, M-Net just announced that ''February is Idols audition month''.

''Last year Idols' 7th season proved again that it can catapult the careers of hard-working, previously unknown singers,'' says Pierre Cloete, M-Net channel head. ''It's exciting to know that we will unearth more talent at the upcoming auditions in February. Idols offers contestants an astronomic amount of airtime and publicity and, with the support of the public, they can have a bright future in the world of showbiz.''

''The 7th season of Idols' simulcast on Mzansi Magic was an enormous success and introduced the show to a new audience,” says Lebone Maema, Mzansi Magic's channel head. ''For the first time, DStv Compact viewers could witness how Idols turns dreams into reality and they passionately supported the show and their favourite performers.

''Mzansi Magic is a proud host of the eight season of Idols and we encourage our viewers to be part of the action right from the start by joining us at this season’s auditions across the country.''

South Africans between 16 and 30 can enter the Idols auditions in February on the following dates and locations:
• Johannesburg: Sandton Convention Centre – Saturday 4 February
• Durban: Ushaka Marine World – Saturday, 11 February
• Cape Town: Grandwest Entertainment World – Saturday, 18 February
• Kliptown, Soweto: Walter Sisulu Square – Saturday, 25 February

M-Net channel head, Pierre Cloete, on why the M-Net channel marker moved from the top right to the top left corner of your TV screen since April.

I broke the news at the end of last year that M-Net was planning to make all the channel logos of the M-Net channels more uniform and to move the channel markers from the top right to the top left corner of the TV screen. Both these things happened from April exactly as I've reported. I asked Pierre Cloete, M-Net channel head why M-Net decided to move the M-Net channel marker from the top right to the top left corner.

''Your channel logo has to go somewhere on the screen but you can't just put it anywhere,'' Pierre Cloete told me when I asked him recently. ''We do a lot of research about this and we constantly get feedback. According to the latest research available the top right hand corner – and to put your logo there, is a bit more intrusive that the top left corner.''

''So we took the decision to move the ident on all the M-Net channels to the left hand side at the top so that it's less intrusive for the viewer. The other thing is that because of how television is filmed, there's somewhat less action happening in the left top corner. There's less faces. Putting the logo there means it won't be displayed over information and people. So the impact of the logo on the screen is eventually less.''