Ziyanda Mngomezulu promoted to Rapid Blue managing director from 2021 as legendary TV exec Kee-Leen Irvine steps down after 30 years, production company ups others to new roles.

by Thinus Ferreira

Rapid Blue has promoted Ziyanda Mngomezulu who will become Rapid Blue's new managing director from 2021, replacing the legendary TV executive Kee-Leen Irvine and Rapid Blue co-founder in the position who is stepping down after as managing director after almost 30 years.

Ziyanda Mngomezulu is currently executive producer and business director at the production powerhouse. In her new position, Ziyanda Mngomezulu will be reporting into Duncan Irvine, Rapid Blue CEO.

Ziyanda Mngomezulu joined Rapid Blue in May 2020 and previously held roles at eMedia Investments as group content services general manager and at the SABC as a programme manager where she worked on bringing shows like SA's Got Talent on e.tv and Strictly Come Dancing SA on SABC2 to viewers.

"I am hugely excited to take on the role of Rapid Blue managing director of such a formidable and highly respected production company both here in Africa and internationally," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu.

"I hold great respect for Duncan and Kee-Leen from working closely with them both over the years, as we share the same ethos, values and creative ambition. I am drawn to their professionalism and ability to produce world-class television."

"Kee-Leen will leave some big boots to fill after such an admirable career leading a strong and talented team. I look forward to carrying forwards the energy she’s been instrumental in instilling, that of respect for people first."

"Building on this legacy, I am ready to continue to grow Rapid Blue’s range of productions and to help entertain even more viewers here and abroad in the years to come."

Kee-Leen Irvine, former managing director and co-founder of Rapid Blue said, "I am delighted we have got someone of Ziyanda’s calibre to pass the baton on to".

"With her expertise and creative vision, I know she will be a huge success and I am excited to see her thrive at the helm. After over 30 years in the television industry and 28 years leading Rapid Blue, I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved."

"The team, to me, are the best people in entertainment television in Mzansi. As much as I’m stepping down on a high note, I’m going to miss my colleagues immensely because of the bond that exists between all of us and the passion and excellence they bring to everything they do."

"It has been a pleasure and privilege to work alongside them and be able to make great shows, from nine exhilarating seasons of Dancing With The Stars, eight seasons of the captivating SA’s Got Talent, six seasons of the hilarious Come Dine With Me South Africa to matchmaking on the likes of The Bachelor SA and First Dates South Africa amongst many other hits."

Alongside the appointment of Ziyanda Mngomezulu, Rapid Blue has confirmed additional promotions to establish a new leadership team for the company.

Kim Thwaites, currently head of production, has been promoted to head of television, taking over from Ed Worster, who after a successful 40-year career is emigrating from South Africa.

Tsubi Mapiyeye, currently line producer has been promoted to supervising producer and Adi de Lancey, recently joined as a senior executive producer.

Rapid Blue starts 2021 with a collection of upcoming shows including The Bachelorette SA and Love Island SA for M-Net and new Come Dine With Me South Africa for BBC Lifestyle.

Duncan Irvine, Rapid Blue CEO, said, “I am hugely excited to have Ziyanda step into the role of managing director and lead Rapid Blue into what is already shaping up to be a busy and promising year for the company".

"Ziyanda has been a fantastic addition to the team so far. Her wealth of experience and eye for what makes a good production is hugely encouraging for what’s to come. When myself and Kee-Leen formed Rapid Blue 28 years’ ago, we could only have dreamed of what has been achieved together."

"I am hugely proud of what we all as a team have built and created for audiences around the world so far and am confident that our vision will be carried forward in an exciting direction with Ziyanda."

Econet's flagship Kwesé Free Sports channel in abrupt blackout on Openview as Econet's financial problems spread; e.tv says it's permanently terminating the channel's carriage after a days-long blackout.

The Kwesé Free Sports from Econet Media's Kwesé TV has abruptly gone dark and disappeared from e.tv's Openview free-to-air satellite service as Econet's financial problems continue to spread, with e.tv saying it's permanently dumping Kwesé Free Sports after days of the unfixed channel blackout.

Econet Media blames the blackout of its Kwesé Free Sports channel on channel 115 on Openview on "unforeseen technical difficulties".

It's "unforeseen technical difficulties" that Econet Media CEO Joseph Hundah doesn't want to explain although it's part of the spreading financial problems faced by his Kwesé TV and media empire which started to collapse a few months ago.

Kwesé Free Sports was added to Openview a year and a half ago in March 2018. The sports channel that Econet can no longer keep on the air was also supposed to be an alternative to MultiChoice's SuperSport pay-TV operation, and the cornerstone of Econet's "Kwesé Free TV" - the new free-to-air commercial TV station that recently got licensed to start broadcasting in South Africa.

It's not clear and Econet is staying silent, about how its growing financial troubles will affect South its Kwesé Free TV licence that it got from the broadcasting regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) with Econet Media that holds a 20% stake in the venture.

On Thursday Econet Media finally admitted to the public and its customers that its struggling video streaming service Kwesé Play is also done and that the Roku Kwesé Play devices are now worthless with service that won't be restored. Econet said Kwesé Play is being liquidated. Econet also told staffers that a process of voluntary retrenchments is taking place across the business.

While Kwesé Play customers in Zimbabwe can get a refund, there is no word on where it leaves South African Kwesé Play subscribers stuck with a service and the customised media players that no longer work.

Econet's Kwesé was placed under administration at the beginning of July 2019 with the African pay-TV operator's Kwesé Play streaming service that abruptly shut down and stopped working although Econet at the time lied and said that it's only temporary.

Econet said that its beleaguered pay-TV business struggled to compete with China's StarTimes and MultiChoice's DStv.

Econet's Kwesé Free Sports channel abruptly cut out on Sunday 28 July and has been dark five days.

Since Monday 29 July e.tv was asked what happened to Kwesé Free Sports on Openview and for comment but e.tv didn't respond with any answers.

On Friday e.tv in a press release said that "technical efforts to restore its connectivity proved to be unsuccessful".

In a supplied quote through e.tv, Joseph Hundah said that "Due to unforeseen technical difficulties, we have been unable to restore our channels in a satisfactory state at this time. We understand that this is disappointing and apologise for the inconvenience."

Econet didn't respond to media enquiries made this week. 

Ziyanda Mngomezulu, Openview's head of channel acquisitions, in the e.tv statement says that "Providing our audience with a sports channel was a significant achievement for us on the platform channel offerings. The dissolution of the Kwesè Free Sports channel has been a tremendous loss, not only for us as Openview, but most importantly, for the audiences that we serve".

Openview says it will no longer be carrying Econet's Kwesé Free Sports on its satellite TV -platform.

e.tv commissions Isipho as a new local series from HerbVision, supernatural drama will serve as lead-in to Rhythm City.

Production has started on a Gauteng farm of a new e.tv local drama series, Isipho, that is filmed on location in Muldersdrift and that will start on the channel on Monday 1 July at 18:30 taking on SABC1's popular Skeem Saam in the same timeslot.

Isipho, telling a supernatural story, will have four episodes per week from Mondays to Thursdays, and is produced by Herbert Hadebe's HerbVision Multimedia in association with The Ntintili Factory.

Producing Isipho is also a leap of faith for e.tv - HerbVision is the smallest, yet very experienced, independent production company the channel has ever commissioned a prime time series, helping to open up South Africa's TV and film industry.

The channel usually works with strong and renowned local production companies which have always been safe for e.tv, but with Isipho the channel is taking a big leap - and risk - to bring new talent to TV on-screen and behind-the-scenes.

The new series with 208 episodes revolves around a father, Moses Shezi (Nimrod Nkosi), a former academic whose peaceful life takes an unexpected turn when he experiences a telling vision that reveals his daughter’s death.

Desperate to change the course of destiny, he sets out to find the four strangers who appeared in his vision and surrounding his daughter at the time of her death and from his vision, it is clear that these strangers are not in any way ordinary: They have gifts.

Following his vision, Moses together with his psychologist wife and a team of teachers in the spiritual arts, opening an academy for the gifted.

The students all come with baggage of their own and soon after that, Moses and the teachers discover that they not only have to teach the students to harness and control their gifts, but also guide them to be the best versions of themselves.

Isipho's cast includes Thobani Nzuza as Lwandle, Saint Seseli as Pastor Rametsi, Sparky Xulu as Mpendulo, Wandi Chamane as Nomzingeli, Karabo Maseko as Neo, and newcomers Precious Ngidi as Ntombi Shezi and Mbalenhle Mavimbela as Tandzile. Themsie Times portrays Gogo Nqobile.

"e.tv is happy to open up its pool of production companies with HerbVision and the Ntintili Factory producing  their first independent production for the channel," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, e.tv's head of local content. "We look forward to welcoming back some familiar faces to our screens and introducing new ones."

Asked why Isipho has been scheduled for 18:30, Ziyanda Mngomezulu says "we created the series as a lead-in for Rhythm City".

"Rhythm City hands over audiences to Scandal! So we needed something to kick off prime time viewing before Rhythm City. So Isipho will bring viewers and hand them over to Rhythm City. So hopefully with this, we will see a bump in ratings for Rhythm City and a bump for Scandal!".

e.tv's Openview satellite-TV service dumps the Trace Sports Stars and KruisKyk channels; no explanation why.

e.tv's Openview free-to-air satellite service is dumping another two channels with Trace Sports Stars and the Afrikaans Christian TV channel KruisKyk both getting axed.

KruisKyk ran on channel 151 and being shut off on 2 May. Trace Sports Stars on channel 116 on Openview is getting dumped on 14 May.

TVwithThinus has been asking eMedia Investments since 28 April about the removal but e.tv didn't respond to multiple media enquiries made about it.

It's not known why e.tv is removing Trace Sports Stars and KruisKyk from the channel line-up.

Openview added Trace Sports Stars in June 2016. KruisKyk was part of the original channel line-up when Openview launched as OpenView HD in October 2013.


UPDATE Thursday 2 May 2019 13:45 - eMedia Investments in a statement confirms the channels' removal and says "Free-to-air satellite television broadcaster OpenView has taken the decision to terminate Afrikaans religious channel KruisKyk" and that "Later this month, Trace Sports Stars which currently airs on Channel 116 will also no longer be available on the satellite platform".

Openview says the termination of KruisKyk follows "lengthy discussions between OpenView and KruisKyk providers Clemens and Stephanie Mans".

"The decision to let go of both the KruisKyk and Trace Sports Stars channels from OpenView has been a challenging one. Ever since our inception into the South African market in 2013, OpenView has invested extensively into the satellite platform and the bouquet strategies have been adapted and reshaped in response to market dynamics," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, general manager for group content services.

"We continue to place the needs of our viewers at the forefront of each decision that we implement and are committed to continuing to provide great entertainment value to our consumers."

e.tv wins 4 Golden Horn trophies at the NFVF's 13th Saftas, including Best actress and Best actor in the TV soap category for Kgomotso Christopher and Jamie Bartlett.

The free-to-air commercial broadcaster e.tv on Saturday won 4 Golden Horn trophies at the National Film and Video Foundation's (NFVF) 13th South African Film and Television Awards, including wins for Best actress in a TV soap (Kgomotso Christopher) for Scandal! and Best actor in a TV soap (Jamie Bartlett) for Rhythm City.

The other two awards for e.tv at the 13th Saftas were both for Broken Vows in the telenovela category where it won for Best achievement in wardrobe and Best achievement in art direction.

"We are proud of these awards and humbled by this recognition," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, head of local content, at e.tv.

"It's an honour to all our e.tv talent, production teams and partners who put in the hours and work tirelessly to deliver the best local entertainment in the country. e.tv is ecstatic to be home to some of the best local television shows in South Africa".

Scandal! is produced for e.tv by Ochre Moving Pictures, with Rhythm City that is filmed by Quizzical Pictures. 

Broken Vows was a Clive Morris Productions show with Clive Morris Productions that was also responsible for the badly-produced and mutilated production of the 13th Saftas broadcast on Saturday on SABC2.

e.tv's upcoming new Grapevine produced show, Imbewu - The Seed, rocked by sexual harassment claims from an on-set extra; e.tv says it views these types of allegations as very serious and has started an investigation.

e.tv's upcoming new local prime time soap Imbewu - The Seed set to start later this month on 16 April and already mired in controversy, is now also being rocked by distressing and serious sexual harassment allegations with the broadcaster that has started an investigation.

A woman, Amanda Phakathi, who has been employed as an Imbewu on-set extra, has come forward making allegations of bad on-set treatment and sexual harassment at the show filmed on location in KwaZulu-Natal.

She said that "male crew are perverts" in a message directed at executive producer Duma Ndlovu, claiming she felt "violated and unsafe", was shouted at, and was told by "the short chubby guy from admin" that trying to report the sexual harassment "won't help because I'm just an extra".

e.tv in response to a media enquiry tells TVwithThinus that the broadcaster is aware of the sexual harassment allegations, views all allegations of this nature as very serious, and has started an investigation.

Imbewu: The Seed is produced by Grapevine Productions, a joint venture between Videovision Entertainment, Word of Mouth Pictures and Luys Productions with Duma Ndlovu and Anant Singh.

The show, set to start on 16 April at 21:30 with Leleti Khumalo, Thembi Mtshali, Sandile Dlamini and Mpumelelo Bhulose already courted controversy earlier this year when the anti-Indian group knwon as the Injenje Yaba Nguni Council in February threatened to burn down Anant Singh’s Videovision offices if Imbewu dares to portray racial tensions between Indians and other groupings.

Imbewu: The Seed revolves around two brothers - one leading a rural life, the other one rich in the city. One can't father children and the other one is asked to impregnate his brother's wife in order to ensure the legacy and dynasty of the family name.

In the latest controversy, Amanda Phakathi who allegedly worked as an extra on the Imbewu set, wrote to Duma Ndlovu to complain about sexual harassment on-set, telling him that "you treat extras like nobodies!" and that "the way extras are treated there is disgusting! Those male crew perverts are disgusting as well!"

"Duma Ndlovu, I am very disgusted in the way extras are treated on-set for Imbewu. I was an extra recently and I'm not happy with the treatment. The crew is super unprofessional, I felt so violated and unsafe! First of all when I got there a young man named Njabulo swore at me because I banged the door by MISTAKE because I was carrying so many clothes for the shoot. He shouted at me like I'm a small kid and swore at me!"

"It doesn't end there.When the shoot began they called me in to be an extra for the scene. The men there (part of the crew I think) kept pointing at my legs and laughing. I felt so uncomfortable as if there was something wrong with me."

"When I spoke to the short dark chubby guy from admin asking him if I can report this, he said it won't help because I'm just an extra and even Duma Ndlovu won't help you because that's how extras are treated. Those were his exact words."

"I am so hurt I never want to be an extra on Imbewu ever again!"

Ziyanda Mngomezulu, the general manager for content services at e.tv, regarding claims of sexual harassment on-set at Imbewu - The Seed told TVwithThinus in a statement that "e.tv is aware of an allegation of sexual harassment on the set of its new drama series Imbewu: The Seed."

"eMedia Investments takes a zero-tolerance stance on sexual harassment and abuse, in any form, and views all allegations of this nature as very serious."

Ziyanda Mngomezulu, says that "the moment the channel became aware of this allegation, it initiated an investigation with the production company of Imbewu:The Seed."

"Unfortunately, despite numerous efforts, Grapevine has been unable to identify and make contact with the individual concerned."

"Grapevine will continue to make efforts to identify and reach her, in order to acquire more information and then take the appropriate action to address the matter. At this time neither we nor any producers are able to provide any further comment."

e.tv says that any information that may aid this investigation can be sent to info@etv.co.za.

America's hashtagged #MeToo movement borne in October 2017 following the revelations of sexual misconduct allegations against the ousted Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein, and now detailing the widespread prevalence of sexual assault and harassment in the TV, film and entertainment industry but also other workplaces, has now crossed the Atlantic.

Women from the United Kingdom and India to South Africa have become vocal about sexual harassment and assault in the workplace and more are sharing their personal stories.

In December 2017 the #NotInMyName organisation held public protest action at the entrance of the MultiChoice City headquarters in Randburg, Johannesburg, over allegations that female MultiChoice staffers have been raped and victimised through sexual harassment.

Protesters were furious over the way MultiChoice has allegedly not been doing enough to help a rape victim working at MultiChoice and to address sexual harassment of workers.

MultiChoice said the satellite pay-TV operator will start a "thorough investigation" after a South African woman who is still working for MultiChoice and previously said she was raped in 2014, allegedly made new and further revelations, saying she was also raped by senior MultiChoice colleagues in 2014.

The Sisters Working in Film and Television (Swift) group aimed at protecting and advancing the cause of women in the South African film and television industry, conducted research in 2017 with the study that uncovered widespread sexism, sexual harassment and unfair labour practices being experienced by women in the South African film and TV industry.

Over 70% of women surveyed and working in South Africa's film and TV industry said that they have felt violated in the workplace. Over 71% said that there was no platform or person available on-set that they could rely on for support or could report abuse.

TOLDJA! The Americentric channel, Kwesé Free Sports, from Econet Media's Kwesé TV will start on OpenView HD as its first real sports channel on Friday 16 March.

A day after TVwithThinus reported on Tuesday that OpenView HD will be adding the Kwesé Free Sports channel but with eMedia Investments not wanting to say more, OpenView HD on Wednesday issued a press release saying that Kwesé Free Sports will start on Friday 16 March 2018 on channel 110 at 11:30.

Why eMedia Investments and OpenView HD couldn't say that in response when TVwithThinus asked in a media enquiry on Tuesday, but then suddenly can a day later, is mind-boggling, but as already reported on Tuesday, Kwesé Free Sports will be OpenView HD's first real sports channel, although it's very Americentric.

Packed with American sports content from ESPN, Kwesé Free Sports is a great beginning into real sports content for OpenView HD and its existing viewers.

There might also be existing and former subscribers of MultiChoice's DStv who might switch to OpenView HD for the exclusive content like basketball that isn't available on SuperSport's channels on DStv.

Kwesé Free Sports is a pan-African free-to-air channel from Econet Media's Kwesé TV that is already available in more than 27 countries in Africa and shows the Premier League live, NBA, various FIFA tournaments including the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia and leagues, NFL, AVIVA Premiership Rugby as well as sport themed magazine shows like ESPN's SportCenter.

ESPN is crawling back to Africa and using Kwesé TV to do so, after dumping the continent and MultiChoice in July 2013 during corporate downsizing. In the process ESPN burnt a lot of bridges and sentiment and destroyed its relationship with viewers who will not easily trust or return to ESPN's programming. 

OpenView HD says that "the demand for a dedicated sports channel on OpenView has been at the top of the OpenView viewers' requests, and the platform is delighted to have struck a deal with this dynamic sports channel". 

"Sport is one of the most talked about subjects in South Africa and giving our audiences a new experience on the platform is perfectly timed," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, OpenView HD's head of channel acquisitions.

"We have had requests for a sports channel since the launch of OpenView and Kwesé Free Sports is the perfect choice for quality sport from around the world that our viewers will love."

Joseph Hundah, Econet Media president and group CEO says "This is yet another significant milestone for us as we introduce another premium Kwesé platform to the South African market following the launch of Kwesé Play in 2017."

"This increases Kwesé Free Sports' footprint to 27 markets. As a business premised on making world-class sports and entertainment content accessible, we are proud to deliver a dedicated sports channel beaming 24 hours of premium and in some cases exclusive sporting action."

Kwesé Free Sports will show WTA Miami Masters tennis, while baseball fans can watch Toronto Blue Jays second baseman and shortstop Gift Ngoepe make his mark in the South African history books in Major League Baseball. 

Motoring heads can get their fix of fast paced racing action in the Formula E, while basketball fans can watch the NBA season.

Actress Leleti Khumalo swops KwaZulu-Natal drama series as she switches from SABC1's Uzalo to e.tv's new Imbewu and add executive producer credit.

Actress Leleti Khumalo is jumping from one KwaZulu/Natal drama series to another and adding an executive producer title as she switches from the SABC's Uzalo to e.tv's new Imbewu: The Seed starting in April.

After contract negotiations to remain on the show for the 4th season didn't work out, Leleto Khumalo has left Stained Glass TV's Uzalo on SABC1 that is filmed on location in KwaMashu, Durban for a new drama series, Imbewu: The Seed - starting in April on e.tv and also filmed in the KwaZulu/Natal province.

Leleti Khumalo's original character MaNzuza that she's portrayed since the first season is being killed off by Stained Glass TV, but Leleti will live again as a brand-new character in Imbewu: The Seed that will tell a new story set in the humble streets in eNquthu and the township of Chatsworth as well as the most-affluent parts of Umlazi.

Leleti Khumalo won't just appear as a character in the show, she is also an executive producer behind the scenes, teaming up with with TV veteran Duma Ndlovu producing Muvhango for SABC2 and the South African film producer veteran Anant Singh.

Imbewu: The Seed is produced for e.tv by Grapevine Productions, a joint venture between Videovision Entertainment, Word Of Mouth Pictures and Luyks Productions.

Anant Singh from Videovision Entertainment and Duma Ndlovu from Word Of Mouth Pictures will be at the helm of the production of the drama series. e.tv hasn't yet announced a timeslot for Imbewu, with speculation now swirling that the show might be scheduled at 20:30 on e.tv as counter-programming for the SABC1 ratings juggernaut.

Imbewu: The Seed will revolve around the family dynasties and two brothers in KwaZulu/Natal - interestingly just like how Uzalo started out in late-2015. "Imbewu focuses on the ties that bind families through blood and spirit, asking sobering and controversial questions that are relevant to all South African cultures," says e.tv.

"A deep and unspoken truth, representing the cultural legacy between two brothers, is at the centre of the series’ captivating plot," says e.tv that says brand-new talent are part of the cast, alongside veteran actors.

“One of e.tv's commitments in 2018 is to invest in provinces beyond Gauteng. KwaZulu-Natal is the country’s fastest-growing province with a strong focus on the entertainment industry,” says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, general manager of e.tv's local content division.

“We are honoured to be partnering with film, television and theatre greats in Anant Singh, Duma Ndlovu and Leleti Khumalo, from the newly formed Grapevine Productions, and look forward to presenting viewers with a fresh reflection of KZN that is all encompassing”.

Anant Singh says that Imbewu: The Seed will “reflect the multi-cultural environment which makes Durban and the province of KwaZulu-Natal unique.”

“The show has the ability to cross the cultural divide and promote social cohesion in South Africa, showcasing a hybrid of cultures in South Africa today. We are extremely excited to be embarking on this amazing television series in KwaZulu-Natal with our partners, e.tv”. 

Duma Ndlovu says he is “very excited for this opportunity to tell an authentic South African story. I am excited to be partnering with Anant Singh and Leleti Khumalo as we prepare to give South Africans a new and unique story.”

“In South Africa, we have not yet had the opportunity to see Indians and Africans come together to tell a story with a social cohesion message and Imbewu: The Seed will deliver this to audiences.”

e.tv adds a new 13-episode South African crime investigation series, Case Closed: Justice Served, looking at how horrific local crimes were solved.

e.tv is adding Case Closed: Justice Served from Monday 15 January at 22:00 as a new local crime and investigation series of 13 episodes exploring real-life South African crime cases.

The 13-episode Case Closed: Justice Served will give viewers insight into local crime-solving and investigation stories.

Case Closed: Justice Served will unpack chilling real-life crime stories from across South Africa, tackling crimes including murder, heists, robbery, rape, financial crimes and drug trafficking. 

The show will take viewers through the step-by-step examination of each crime, how the case unfolded, how the perpetrator was captured and its conclusion. 

Viewers will hear the horrific tale of each case from the perspective of those affected by and involved in the crime. 

According to e.tv each case is meticulously re-enacted – in some cases, by those who were directly involved, including the investigating officers from the South African Police Service. 

The actual presiding judges and legal teams from both the defence and the prosecution also weigh in on the show giving viewers the most accurate representation of the case at hand.

“The channel made a conscious decision to ensure that through the exploration of the harsh realities of crimes committed in our society, there is a silver lining in that each case examined throughout the series has been concluded, with the perpetrators arrested, found guilty and sentenced,” says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, the general manager of e.tv local content.

“The show emphases the successes of our criminal justice system to help restore faith where much has been eroded in South Africans”.

e.tv's prime time soap, Scandal!, notches a new highwater mark viewership of over 5 million viewers, as its most watched show continues its ratings growth.

e.tv's prime time weekday soap Scandal!, the red letter free-to-air broadcaster's highest rated show, notched a new highwater mark, pulling over 5 million viewers for the first time on 23 November.

With an audience rating (AR) of 14.4 that equates to 5 007 428 viewers older than 15 who tuned in, the Ochre Moving Pictures produced local soap hit a new top viewership record for the show, as well as for e.tv as the storylines continue to resonate with viewers.

Scandal!'s monthly ratings have been climbing every month throughout 2017 making it the most-watched show in the 19:30 timeslot across all channels since it moved timeslots on the schedule from its 20:00 berth.

e.tv says the channel is impressed and proud of Scandal!'s ratings performance with the show that will kick off its 13th year of production in January 2018 with three of the cast members having been ever-present: Joyce Skefu (who plays Maletsatsi Khumalo), Sandy Mokwena (as Eddie Khumalo) and Kagiso Modupe (as Mangi Nyathi).

"Scandal! has been one of the most watched shows on e.tv and we are thrilled with what they have accomplished," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, e.tv's general manager of local content.

"This milestone of over 5 million viewers adds to the many highlights the eFamily of channels has had this year and we are looking forward to many more in 2018."

"Rhythm City which leads into Scandal! at 19:00 also drew higher than usual viewers in November compared to previous Novembers with 3.1 million viewers; the highest number reached this year," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu.

Platco Digital's free-to-air satellite service, OpenView HD, adds BBC World News as a TV news channel.

OpenView HD (OVHD) has added the TV news channel BBC World News to the free-to-air satellite platform from today, Monday 4 September 2017.

BBC World News is available on OpenView HD channel 112. BBC World News is already carried on MultiChoice's DStv and on StarTimes South Africa and On Digital Media's StarSat satellite pay-TV platforms.

Platco Digital's OpenView HD says that the addition of a dedicated news channel will see OpenView HD continuing to grow its premium content offering.

"The addition of a news channel speaks to the needs of our growing audience and we believe it will position OpenView HD as South Africa's digital platform of choice," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, OpenView HD general manager of channel acquisitions.

"BBC World News' reputation for global breaking news is a huge drawcard for us and we're delighted to be able to offer our viewers a window to the world of quality and integrity".

OpenView HD dumps under-performing channels ASTV, Spirit Word, Ekurhuleni TV and Wild TV Africa; will add a new channel in October.

OpenView HD (OVHD) is dumping 4 TV channels from its service that it says is under-performing - ASTV, Spirit Word, Wild TV Africa and Ekurhuleni TV - and says it will add a new TV channel in October.

Following the news that OpenView HD is done with ASTV - a channel it actually acquired a shareholding in in mid-2014 but failed to grow as a partner - the free-to-air satellite platform run by eMedia Investment's Platco Digital says it is also getting rid of the Spirit Word, Wild TV Africa and Ekurhuleni TV channels.

ASTV will go dark on OpenView HD on 14 October with Spirit Word, Wild TV Africa and Ekurhuleni TV getting cut from the end of September through to mid-October.

Wild TV Africa that was added to OpenView HD in August 2015 lasted just a year since OpenView HD said in July 2015 its "excited" about adding it.

ASTV that will continue to be seen on On Digital Media (ODM) and StarTimes Media SA's StarSat platform, willgo dark three years after it was picked up by OpenView HD in October 2013. The community TV station, Ekurhuleni TV was added to OpenView HD in January 2014.

OpenView HD says it will add a new TV channel in October.

"The decision to terminate the 4 channels' contracts came after careful consideration of their performance and the overall OpenView HD strategy going forward," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, OpenView HD's channel and acquisitions executive.

Ziyanda Mngomezulu says OpenView HD's overall audience and business objectives mean that the available channels on OpenView HD require constant reassessment.

OpenView HD dumps its former Afrikaans channel ASTV; will go dark on 14 October for failure to meet 'content and performance criteria'.

OpenView HD has dumped ASTV, with the Afrikaans TV channel that didn't meet its content and performance criteria that will go dark on 14 October on the OpenView HD platform just three years after it was added in October 2013.

ASTV will remain available on StarTimes Media SA and On Digital Media's (ODM) StarSat satellite pay-TV platform.

ASTV's culling from Platco Digital's OpenView HD is however a big set-back and an embarrassment - especially since it was actually acquired by Sabido Investments (now eMedia Investments) in mid-2014 with big fanfare and the news launched with a media event.

While the former CEO of e.tv, Marcel Golding saw potential in ASTV, ASTV says the channel's contract was ended with eMedia early in 2015.

The contract was ended just a few months after Mark Rosin and Antonio Lee took over following the ugly and acrimonious corporate ousting of Marcel Golding and his wife, Bronwyn Keene-Young as COO.

ASTV's channel head, Jaco Ferreira, in a statement, says despite "talks of a new Afrikaans TV channel with which ASTV would have merged, nothing came of it after months of meetings".

"Due to unsuccessful negotiations, ASTV was sold back to the original shareholders during November 2015. ASTV was however still given the opportunity to continue broadcasting on the OVHD platform".

ASTV was told on 2 August that the channel is getting dumped from OpenView HD.

ASTV says that after a meeting on 10 August with OpenView HD's group channel and acquisitions executive, Ziyanda Mngomezulu, ASTV still tried in vain to persuade OpenView HD to keep ASTV on the platform, but according to ASTV, OpenView HD kept to its decision to kick the channel off.

"ASTV has always had a great relationship with OpenView HD, Platco Digital and e.tv. It was especially the case during the time when Marcel Golding was still involved," says ASTV in its statement.

"Unfortunately OpenView HD no longer sees a place for ASTV on their decoder," says ASTV, adding that "during the time of carriage on OpenView HD, ASTV advertised the company [OpenView] and lured thousands of customers to the platform".

"These days there is however an obstacle from OpenView HD's side in terms of the availability of decoder stock in stores," says ASTV.

"Currently disheartened customers must return home empty handed since there's not enough stock available. It's therefore with big regret that we have to end our broadcast on OpenView HD from 14 October because of the aforementioned reasons," says ASTV.

ASTV says it will remain available on OpenView HD competitor StarSat, and that a big benefit is that "there's exists no costs to broadcast on StarSat".

"StarSat is also willing to make the necessary investments in ASTV that will ensure more better quality entertainment".

In response to a media enquiry, Ziyanda Mngomezulu of OpenView HD confirms to TVwithThinus that "ASTV will be coming off OpenView HD. The channel did not meet our content and performance criteria. OpenView is continually looking at refreshing its channel offering".

Platco Digital's OpenView HD adds the Trace Sport Stars channel from Trace from Friday 3 June; channel already available on DStv and StarSat.

The Trace Sport Stars that's available on MultiChoice's DStv (188) and on StarTimes Media SA and On Digital Media's (ODM) StarSat (250) hasn't been on my radar for a long while.

It isn't a channel I personally like for various reasons, but news to report is that Trace Sport Stars will be added to Platco Digital's OpenView HD from Friday 3 June.

Trace Sport Stars - a version of "E! meets sport celebrities" - will be carried on OpenView HD on channel 154 from 12:00 midday on Friday.

While as a non-premium channel Trace Sport Stars makes less sense on DStv and StarSat, its addition does make a difference on OpenView HD.

Put another way: its existence or absence doesn't enhance or detract from DStv or StarSat, but its existence on OpenView HD given its existing set of channels does make OpenView HD better.

"Trace Sport Stars will take a unique view on sport stars, giving our viewers access to content that is not currently available on the OpenView HD offering," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, Platco Digital channel acquisitions executive.

Leo Manne, Trace senior vice president for Southern Africa says Trace is "delighted about the new partnership with OpenView HD. Viewers will get the opportunity to know the real stories behind the sport stars they admire".

Trace Sport Stars shows include Star Rated that rates sport stars, and Lisa Raleigh and Maps Maponyane presenting 101 World Cups and 101 Excercises to Do Before You Die.

Will Best presents The Ultimate Sport Survival Guide featuring home video clips of exercise enthusiasts.

OpenView HD adds the new South African outdoor and adventure lifestyle channel, Wild TV Africa, from 31 July.

Platco Digital's OpenView HD is adding the new outdoor and adventure lifestyle channel Wild TV Africa (OVHD 153) to the satellite platform's channel line-up from Friday, 31 July at 12:00.

Wild TV Africa, developed by Dewald Visser, will bring viewers outdoor and adventure programming focusing on camping, mountain-biking, fishing, 4X4 trails, scuba diving, conservation, mountain climbing, hunting, sport shooting, skydiving and big wave surfing.

The addition of Wild TV Africa is part of an additional investment of R245 million by Seardel into the still loss-making OpenView HD.

Asked about Wild TV Africa last week, e.tv responded to a media enquiry with a press release confirming the launch of the channel this week.

"We recognised the gap in the TV landscape presented by the Wild TV Africa team and were quite excited about partnering with the channel to provide for the demand," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, the head of channel acquisitions at OpenView HD.

Wild TV Africa will run for 24-hours per day and is promising viewers 9 locally produced weekly magazine and talk shows. The Wild TV Africa schedule is themed, with Mountain Mondays, Target Tuesdays, Wet Wednesdays, Turbo Thursdays, Fishing Fridays and Wild Weekends.

Wild TV Africa also aims to find the "Adventure Town of the Year", highlighting smaller towns around South Africa which are enticing visitors with a variety of outdoor and adventure activities.

"Our key content focus is on providing family entertainment with shows about camping, braai and outdoor cooking as well as kiddie outdoor fun activities," says Dewald Visser, the managing director of Wild TV Africa in a statement.

"South Africa is a mecca for outdoor pursuits with amazing weather and incredible natural beauty. This is not a sports channel but rather a channel that focuses on content that makes you feel alive, while exploring the essence of Africa and its wide-open spaces. Although some of the activities are not for the faint-hearted, it makes for great viewing," says Dewald Visser.

"With the Wild TV Africa addition to OpenView HD, we look forward to attracting a new audience that makes up a great part of the South African active outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu.

Platco Digital adds African religion channel, Shembe Unyazi TV, to OpenView HD from 19 July on channel 254.

Platco Digital's free-to-air OpenView HD (OVHD) satellite TV-platform is adding the African religion channel Shembe Unyazi TV (OVHD 254) as a new TV channel from 19 July.

Platco Digital says there's now 155 000 South African TV households watching TV through OpenView HD.

Platco Digital which sells OpenView HD decoders for R399, which excludes installation costs, says it plans to launch more TV channels on OpenView HD during the year.

Earlier this year OpenView HD lost the Christian TV channel Relevant TV; the community TV station Alex TV disappeared abruptly after its broadcasting licence expired; and previously Bi-Cars TV wasl also quietly canned.

Shembe Unyazi TV will show viewers programming around the African relgiion founded by Prophet Isaiah Mloyiswa Shembe, known as Bombela, in 1910 and which has 8 million followers in Southern Africa.

The religion is currently under the leadership of iNkosi M.D. Shembe, known as Unyaziwezulu, who claims to have the same healing and prophetic power as his forefather.

"We are thrilled to be the first platform to bring the followers of Shembe Unyazi a TV station and introduce the Shembe culture and practices to the greater South African population," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu, channels acquisitions executive at Platco Digital.

"Shembe Unyazi now allows their followers to get the Shembe message on a more regular basis. We believe that this is a positive addition to the OpenView HD platform," says Ziyanda Mngomezulu.

Half hour shows on Shembe Unyazi TV will include Uthini UShembe Emhlabeni, the channel's flagship show with the preachings of uNyazi, Vuzeleleka Moya Wami (preaching of the elders), Umgidi Wonyazi (spiritual dance by men, women and maidens), Umyakazo Wonyazi (one day trips of Unyazi), Ushembe Namasiko (presented by Sizwe Majola about traditions and culture), and Ushembe Nomuntu Omusha (youth programme).

Siyamudumisa will deal with artists' performances and poets at different temples when preachers are inaugurated and Imicimbi will cover weddings, imemulo and traditional events.

Vukanathi Sokhanyiso is a morning service, Lalanathi is an evening service, and Sisuka eNtabazwe is a documentary that will trace the footprints of the founder of this religion and discuss his prophecies.