The Walking Dead seen on FOX cancelled, will end with an extended season 11 in 2022 as more spinoffs are planned.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Walking Dead on FOX (DStv 125  /StarSat 131) has been cancelled after 11 seasons with the AMC-produced zombie drama series that will end with an extended season.

The Walking Dead will end with an 11th season that will play out over an extended 24-episode season, with 12 episodes set to be broadcast in 2021, and the final 12 episodes in 2022.

The 11th season of The Walking Dead was supposed to broadcast this year but was delayed because of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic that shut down film and television production globally.

Besides the end of The Walking Dead, AMC will also produce another two Walking Dead spinoff series - one revolving around Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) that will debut in 2023; as well as an anthology zombie-series currently entitled Tales of The Walking Dead, bringing the number of new spinoffs to 4 series.

Meanwhile the 10th season of The Walking Dead will start on 4 October, followed by 6 bonus episodes before the 11th season's first half starts later in 2021.

"It’s been 10 years 'gone bye', what lies ahead are 2 more to come and stories to tell beyond that" says Scott M. Gimple, former The Walking Dead showrunner and chief content officer of the franchise, in a statement.

"What’s clear is that this show has been about the living, made by a passionate cast, team of writer/producers, producers, and crew, bringing to life the vision put forth by Robert Kirkman in his brilliant comic - and supported by the best fans in the world."

"We have a lot of thrilling story left to tell on The Walking Dead and then, this end will be a beginning of more Walking Dead - brand new stories and characters, familiar faces and places, new voices, and new mythologies."

"This will be a grand finale that will lead to new premieres. Evolution is upon us. The Walking Dead lives."

Angela Kang, The Walking Dead showrunner, says "I look forward to digging in with our brilliant writers, producers, directors, cast and crew to bring this epic final chapter of Robert Kirkman’s story to life for our fans over the next two years."

"The Walking Dead flagship series has been my creative home for a decade and so it’s bittersweet to bring it to an end, but I could not be more excited to be working with Scott Gimple and AMC to develop a new series for Daryl and Carol."

"Working with Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride has been a highlight of my career and I'm thrilled that we get to keep telling stories together."

Ed Carroll, chief operating officer at AMC Networks, says "The Walking Dead made television history, and is one of those rare creative works that has given life to an entire content universe that is still in the early stages of growing and entertaining both new and established fans".

"We can’t wait to bring viewers this expanded final season of The Walking Dead over the next two years, and launch the fourth series in the history of the franchise, focused on the beloved Daryl and Carol characters, with the incredibly talented Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Angela Kang and Scott M. Gimple."

"There really is so much 'walking' ahead, in a number of very exciting directions, for this extraordinary creative universe we call The Walking Dead."

The 6th season of the spinoff series Fear the Walking Dead will start in October.

The other spinoff series, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, following the "first generation" to grow up during the zombie apocalypse, will start on the dame day in the United States. A South African TV channel and date for The Walking Dead: World Beyond has not yet been announced.

TV NEWS ROUND-UP. Today's interesting TV stories to read - 9 September 2020.

Here's the latest news about TV that I read and that you should read too:  

■ "Is this the best you can do for R900?"
DStv Premium subscribers continue to complain about the lack of value and quality content as BBC Studios' BBC First channel is also ripped away and subscribers say they have had enough of "junk viewing".

■ Another reader angry about the axing of ITV Choice and now BBC First, says DStv hasn't bothered to reply while having to pay R1000 monthly to watch repeats.
"What led MultiChoice to the belief thatno-one watched BBC First on channel 119?" asks the reader that wants to move from DStv to Netflix.


■ The disturbing photos from Ghana's trash-bad imitation TV version of M-Net and MultiChoice's Big Brother Naija.
Horrific production values as the so-called Biggy 237 trash show is marred by technical problems; contestant housemates sleeping in dirty, unkept room on student matrasses on the floor; organisers lied about the show being part of MultiChoice Ghana.


■ New BBC director-general Tim Davie against a switch to subscription.

■ New BBC boss Tim Davie to crack down on BBC staff posting their personal views on social media.
- Won't hesitate to shut down BBC TV channels if they no longer offer enough value.
- Says BBC has reached end of linear TV expansion.
- "There is still too much bureaucracy."

■ Star Wars actor John Boyega slams Disney and says he was pushed to the side.

■ How Netflix reinvented entertainment as well as corporate culture.

■ Covid-19 has wiped out 2020's new TV schedule in the United States.

■ Hollywood is filled with fear and loathing over the new stranglehold over cinema of video streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

■ Andrew Lloyd Webber warns that the arts is "at the point of no return".

■ Away on Netflix is another mission-to-Mars TV drama that doesn't achieve liftoff.

■ Reporters from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation and Australian Financial Review flee China after media crackdown.


■ "Shame on you Unilever! Shame on you TRESemmé!"
eNCA (DStv 403) continues its slide into activism and blended in-news commentary, blurring the line between just reporting the facts in TV news bulletins and giving personal opinion.
- EFF political party harasses eNCA reporter Nobusuthu Hejana.
- EFF political party harasses eNCA reporter AGAIN.


■ South Africa's auditor-general (AG) questions the SABC's R63 million contract with 5 international news agencies - BBC, Reuters, Feature Stories, Associated Press (AP), and AFP awarded in 2017.

■ Ellen DeGeneres will address the behind-the-scenes scandal at her talk show on the air when the new 18th season starts.

■ Global pirate viewing will start on 30 October when the second season of Star Wars' The Mandalorian is released on Disney+ that hasn't yet launched or announced any launch date for Disney's video streaming service in South Africa or Africa.


■ What the end of Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E! (DStv 124) says about the changing TV industry in America.
- The internet today would not be what it is without the Kardashian influence.
- The influencer/creator culture we have today would not exist without Keeping Up with the Kardashians and The Hills and The Simple Life.


■ "Very bad form": Prince Harry and Meghan Markle pull out of a fundraiser linked to a video streaming rival to Netlifx after they had already said yes but are now producers for Netflix (subscription required).

- Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's "money panic" played amajor role in their decision to sign a production deal with Netflix.
- Netflix viewers cancel their subscriptions after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announce their Netflix production deal.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E! cancelled after 14 years.

by Thinus Ferreira

After 14 years and 20 seasons Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E! (DStv 124) has been cancelled with the famous Kardashian clan of Calabasas in California who has decided to end their reality show in 2021.

"After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and several spin-off shows, we've decided as a family to end this very special journey," says Kris Jenner, Kourtney Kardashian, Kim Kardashian West, Khloé Kardashian, Rob Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kylie Jenner and Scott Disick in a statement.

"We are beyond grateful to all of you who've watched us for all of these years - through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children. We'll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we've met along the way."

Keeping Up with the Kardashians, produced by Bunim-Murray Productions and executive produced by Ryan Seacrest, started in 2007 with its 19th season that will start later this month on E!, followed by a final 20th season in 2021.

Keeping Up with the Kardashians became the channel's flagship reality TV show, leading to spin-offs like Kourtney and Kim Take Miami, Kourtney and Kim Take New York, Khloé & Lamar, Kourtney and Khloé Take the Hamptons, Dash Dolls, Rob & Chyna, I am Cait, Life of Kylie, Revenge Body with Khloé Kardashian and Flip It Like Disick.

On her Instagram account on social media Kim Kardashian wrote: "To our amazing fans, It is with heavy hearts that we’ve made the difficult decision as a family to say goodbye to Keeping Up with the Kardashians".

"After what will be 14 years, 20 seasons, hundreds of episodes and numerous spin-off shows, we are beyond grateful to all of you who’ve watched us for all of these years – through the good times, the bad times, the happiness, the tears, and the many relationships and children. We’ll forever cherish the wonderful memories and countless people we’ve met along the way.

"Thank you to the thousands of individuals and businesses that have been a part of this experience and, most importantly, a very special thank you to Ryan Seacrest for believing in us, E! for being our partner, and our production team at Bunim/Murray, who’ve spent countless hours documenting our lives."

"Our last season will air early next year in 2021."

"Without Keeping Up with The Kardashians, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am so incredibly grateful to everyone who has watched and supported me and my family these past 14 incredible years. This show made us who we are and I will be forever in debt to everyone who played a role in shaping our careers and changing our lives forever."

"With Love and Gratitude, Kim"

E! in its own statement says "E! has been the home and extended family to the Kardashian-Jenners for what will be 14 years, featuring the lives of this empowering family".

"Along with all of you, we have enjoyed following the intimate moments the family so bravely shared by letting us into their daily lives. While it has been an absolute privilege and we will miss them wholeheartedly, we respect the family’s decision to live their lives without our cameras."

"It is not our final goodbye yet, we are excited to have the new season of Keeping Up with the Kardashians launching on September 17 with the final season airing in 2021."

"We thank the entire extended family and our production partners, Bunim Murray and Ryan Seacrest Productions for embarking on this global phenomenon together."

Last month E! cancelled its longrunning E! News, with NBCUniversal that signalled that it's moving its focus away from producing expensive programming for most of its traditional linear pay-TV channels and strongly pivoting towards a video streaming content strategy along with the other major Hollywood players.

Prolific South African actor David Clatworthy loses his battle against cancer. He was 60.

by Thinus Ferreira

The prolific South African actor David Geoffrey Clatworthy has died after he lost his battle with cancer. He was 60.

The actor whose numerous roles spanned television, more than 100 radio dramas, theatre and internationally released film and series like Neill Blomkamp's District 9 and the first season of Netflix's The Crown, had throat cancer and he passed away on Tuesday.

He was married to Wilmien Rossouw and they had two children and later he was in a relationship with Michelle Botha and they had a son together..

He currently worked as a director at kykNET's weekday Afrikaans soap Getroud met Rugby where he previously appeared in the on-air role of Gerald Richter.

Michelle Nortje, Getroud met Rugby publicist, tells TVwithThinus that "David was at Getroud met Rugby until June. The last few episodes that he worked as director will be broadcast towards the end of September. His passing comes as a big loss for the entire Getroud family and we all will miss his calm presence and humanity".

David Clatworthy studied speech and drama at the University of Cape Town between 1980 and 1983, after which numerous roles followed.

He appeared in The King and I, Life Is a Pitch, Macbeth, Revamp (musical), The Boys Next Door, Beyond Therapy, Homeland, Toering, Koning, Going Up, Isidingo, Zero Tolerance, Hard Copy, Meester, Iemand Om Lief Te Hê, Scoop Schoombie, Die Laksman, Carpe Diem, Tarzan: The Epic Adventures, The Lab, 7de Laan and Justice For All.

Other on-screen appearances included Bloedbroers, Erfsondes, Fallen, Generations, High Rollers, Konsternasie Oppie Stasie, Mzansi Magic's Mshika-shika, On the Couch, Roer Jou Voete, Safe as Hauser's, e.tv's Scandal!, Soul Buddyz, The Mating Game, The Wild, Charlie Jade, Wild at Heart and Those Who Can't.

His voice was heard in over 100 radio dramas.

He appeared in films like 2018's Mia and the White Lion, Harry's Game, Young Ones, Everyman's Taxi, Lunar Cop, Verraaiers, Platteland, and 2011's Winnie Mandela.

He was also in Mrs Mandela, White Lion, Hitchhiker, Merlin: The Return, The One That Got Away, Cry The Beloved Country and Return to Justice.

David Clatworthy won the Fleur Du Cap Award for best supporting actor for his role as Jamie in Long Day’s Journey Into Night and for his role as Eddie in Greek.

He was also nominated for a Fleur Du Cap Award in 1989 and the Dalro award in 1989. David has also appeared in over 100 radio dramas.

MultiChoice South Africa CEO Mark Rayner resigns after almost 14 years with the pay-TV operator.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice South Africa CEO Mark Rayner has resigned after almost 14 years with the pay-TV operator.

"It is with great regret that today we announced the departure of Mark Rayner from MultiChoice, effective 30 November 2020," says MultiChoice in a statement.

"Having been part of the MultiChoice family for the past 14 years leading in various parts of the group, Mark Rayner has now decided to further his journey outside the group. Over the years Mark has been a key part of driving growth, championing product innovation and pushing customer focus," says MultiChoice.

"We wish him well in the future. An announcement on Mark’s successor will be made in the near future."

MultiChoice didn't announce any temporary acting MultiChoice SA CEO.

Mark Rayner joined MultiChoice in March 2007 as DStv Mobile chief financial officer (CFO) after which he became CEO of DStv Mobile, progressed to chief operating officer (COO) of MultiChoice South Africa and became MultiChoice South Africa CEO in May 2016.

The exit of the highly-respected Mark Rayner, a chartered accountant who joined the Randburg-based pay-TV operator, comes just under 2 months since the abrupt resignation of Niclas Ekdahl in mid-June as MultiChoiceConnected Video CEO.

Going dark on DStv: Disney's FOX Life and Disney XD the next TV channels leaving MultiChoice's pay-TV service at the end of September 2020.

by Thinus Ferreira

The Disney-run TV channels FOX Life (DStv 126 / StarSat 133) after 4 years and Disney XD (DStv 304) after 9 years are both ending on MultiChoice's DStv at the end of September when DStv subscribers will lose another two TV channels on the pay-TV service.

FOX Life will also exit the StarTimes pay-TV service operating under the StarSat brand in South Africa. StarSat told TVwithThinus that "due to FOX's channel strategy change, FOX will soon cease production of FOX Life" and that "FOX Life will be taken offline on 30 September 2020".

The channels' termination is most likely because of Disney's ongoing global corporate brand realignment efforts after acquiring 21st Century Fox, as well as Disney's big new emphasis to prioritise and shift its focus to its own video streaming endeavours.

With less than a month to go before DStv subscribers lose access to FOX Life and Disney XD MultiChoice has not issued any statement to its customers yet. MultiChoice hasn't responded with any statement or provided answers to questions posed by TVwithThinus about FOX Life and Disney XD by the time of publishing this report.

However, in a note to DStv subscribers who also asked about it, MultiChoice - without giving specifics - said that "as of 30 September Disney XD and FOX Life will stop airing on the DStv platform. The change is as a result of an ongoing review of channels by content providers and platform partners".


UPDATE Monday 7 September 2020 12:22: MultiChoice in a statement to TVwithThinus says that the "MultiChoice Group confirms that as of 30 September 2020 at 23:59 Disney XD (channel 304) and Fox Life (channel 126) will stop airing on the DStv platform".

"The change is as a result of ongoing review of channels by content providers and platform partners."

"Favourite Disney XD content will migrate to the Disney Channel (channel 303). Retained programming will include live-action, animation and key franchise series, movies and stunts." Current shows like Phineas and Ferb, DuckTales, Big City Greens, Supa Strikas, Disney 11, Lab Rats, Marvel’s Spider-Man, Gravity Falls and Big Hero 6 will continue, as well as a host of new series which will be announced in the coming months."

MultiChoice says that it "and its content providers and partners continue to review their channels and viewer consumption to ensure the freshest and best-available content from around the globe. This process sometimes results in the termination of channels, but it also ensures the best possible experience for its customers."

Publicity executives at The Walt Disney Company Africa respectively responsible for communication about the Disney XD and FOX Life channels and who were also asked, didn't respond to individual media enquiries about the termination of FOX Life and Disney XD at the time of publication of this report on Monday.


UPDATE Monday 7 September 2020, 12:00: "We can now now confirm that the Disney XD and Fox Life channels will close at midnight on Wednesday 30 September," The Walt Disney Company Africa told TVwithThinus on Monday afternoon in a statement.

"As the television landscape and viewer consumption evolves, we continue to develop and review our products and services - including with our platform partners - to ensure we are offering the best possible experience for consumers."

"Whilst Disney XD will no longer air, some of the channels most popular and iconic animated and live action series will be brought to Disney Channel, expanding the channel’s programming offer to viewers. 

"Whilst Fox Life will no longer air, we are excited to continue to entertain DStv viewers with world-class series and programming from Fox Channel. We are excited to continue to bring our viewers popular and iconic programming from our extensive media networks channels."

In late-August when TVwithThinus asked Disney Africa if Disney XD is shutting down and why content that was on Disney XD is being moved over and duplicated on The Disney Channel (DStv 303), Jared Stokes, senior communications manager at Disney Africa, said that "we are currently going through some schedule and programming changes as per our ongoing review of our channel offering".

He said that Disney will share more details in coming weeks.

Disney XD meanwhile has continued to move over and duplicate existing Disney XD specific shows on The Disney Channel, effectively rendering Disney XD redundant. Disney XD has also not shown any noteworthy new content.

The demise of Disney XD that launched in May 2011 on MultiChoice in South Africa with shows like Phineas & Ferb after the channel started in 2009 globally and that MultiChoice and Disney at its South African launch on DStv called "a phenomenal success", leaves The Disney Channel and Disney Junior (DStv 309) as its two remaining linear Disney TV channels for children available on DStv.

FOX Life started on DStv and StarSat in September 2016 with Fox Networks Group Africa and DStv that at the time promised hundreds of hours of "fresh new programming for the schedule, focused on localised storytelling, created specifically for African viewers". Very little of that came to pass.

In October 2017 FOX Africa did a "refresh" for FOX Life with a new on-air look and more promises of new and localised content.

The past few months FOX Life has been on virtual life-support with a schedule that suddenly became stacked with reruns and old content.

DStv and StarSat subscribers noticed, complained, and it led them to speculate that FOX Life is on its way out given the lack of attention and the stacking of rerun content on the channel.

In addition, very little to no new international of locally-produced series were made or appeared on FOX Life recently, despite FOX channel executives once promising an ongoing slate of exciting new South American and Turkish telenovelas.

The termination of FOX Life comes 19 months after Disney's billion dollars takeover of 21st Century Fox that included the Fox Networks Group.

At MultiChoice's 2020 DStv Showcase media event in August the pay-TV operator's executives made no announcement to the media that Disney XD and FOX Life will be ending a month later on DStv.

Interestingly, it is shaping up to be a record year over the past year for TV channels going dark on DStv, with the past year that has seen the loss of channels ranging from A+E Networks UK's Crime+Investigation channel to SundanceTV, ITV Choice, SABC Encore and Fashion One to BBC First on DStv, as well as a reduction to fewer M-Net Movies channels.


The likely reasons
Two different reasons are likely driving the shuttering of the FOX Life and Disney XD channels.

Firstly, Disney wants to phase out and get rid of  the "Fox" name everywhere it is used. Disney has been busy and slowly ramping up its strategic global makeover of the legacy-acquired "Fox" brands that have become part of the bigger Disney brand. 

Last month Disney Television Studios rebranded its acquired 20th Century Fox as 20th Television, and Fox 21 TV Studios that is becoming Touchstone Television.

Before that the FOX Sports channels were rebranded as Disney's ESPN channels, effectively returning ESPN to Africa not because ESPN really wanted to return to Africa but because of a corporate takeover change. ESPN dumped Africa and got out of the continent 6 years ago in July 2013.

Regarding the full-on Supa Strikas kick to the curb of Disney XD, it has become very clear that Disney is basically done with putting the amount of energy and focus behind its legacy linear international Disney pay-TV channels as it had done for decades.

Shifting its own importance away from its Disney TV channels, Disney has dramatically realigned its focus the past year towards video streaming and particularly its own Disney+ subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) endeavours like Disney+.

Disney however hasn't yet made any announcement about when it will make Disney+ available in South Africa or Africa.

Over the past few months Disney has abruptly ended carriage agreements of its linear Disney pay-TV channels in big and comparable markets like the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand all because of video streaming.

It's very likely that the decision to end Disney XD in the South African and African markets are as a result of this bigger corporate sea change around Disney's TV channels.

Actress Thandeka Mdeliswa known as Khanya in SABC1's iKani shot and killed at her family home. She was 34.

by Thinus Ferreira

The iKani actress Thandeka Mdeliswa has died after she was shot and killed at her family home in Evander, Mpumalanga. She was 34.

Thandeka Mdeliswa was most known for her role of Khanya in SABC1's iKani drama series of 2018 which was her first TV role as a lead character as part of the main cast.

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS) Thandeka Mdeliswa died on Saturday 2 days after she was shot on Thursday when two men came to her family home and started a violent argument with her brother.

Thandeka Mdeliswa tried to intervene after which shots were fired and she was killed. The police is looking for the alleged killer who shot her.

The Mdeliswa family in a statement on Sunday said that "it is with great sorrow that we inform you of the passing of our dearest daughter".

"She was shot in Evander, Mpumalanga, on Thursday 3 September. She was immediately rushed to the Evander hospital, stabilised and then airlifted to Witbank after which she was transferred to Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria as her condition was critical but stable."

"She passed on the morning of of 5 September, Saturday. She was a young, talented and inspirational actress which her family and community were looking forward to see flourish. We had a lot of expectations from her."

"The brutality which was inflicted on our daughter has left us deeply hurt. This is another incident of violence against women (gender-based violence) which our country has to fight against. We believe that justice will be served."

The SABC in a statement on Sunday afternoon said that "The SABC is saddened by the untimely passing ofThandeka Mdeliswa".

"The SABC is even more disturbed that her death came as a result of gunshot wounds in an apparent gender-based violence incident. The South African television industry has indeed been robbed of a young, talented and promising life, violently and senselessly taken away from our society in her prime."

Thandeka Mdeliswa studied acting at Brumilda's Acting Academy and appeared in an episode of eKasi: Our Stories on e.tv in 2013, and later played another character of the same series.

In 2014 she made a guest appearance in the SABC1 docu-drama series Ngempela and followed it up with a role in Mzansi Magic's (DStv 161) made-for-TV movie, The Contract in 2015.

She also had a guest appearance in Generations: The Legacy on SABC1 in 2016. In 2018 she appeared in Imoto Kokufa, another made-for-TV movie on Mzansi Magic.

SABC2's Muvhango cast and crew again unpaid as producer Word of Mouth Pictures blames the SABC for failure to pay the production company on time.

by Thinus Ferreira

At the end of August the cast and crew of SABC2's Venda weekday drama series Muvhango - many with families and small and hungry children to feed - once again went unpaid, with the producer, Word of Mouth Pictures that directly blamed the SABC over its failure to pay the production company on time.

In December 2019 production on SABC2's most-watched TV show and South Africa's 4th most-watched TV series abruptly shut down after the SABC failed to pay the cast and crew after 2 months.

Several insiders told TVwithThinus earlier this week that Muvhango is on a 2-week production break but that they were collectively planning to strike if production were to resume since they have yet again not been paid.

A source this week said that "the production has not paid us and they're not saying anything to the cast and crew", and a source said that "people are planning to down tools when we come back because this is honestly unfair".

Another insider said: "How do I tell my hungry, small child that I work for SABC2's biggest show but there's no money to eat or to buy food? Muvhango isn't paying us, saying the SABC didn't pay them".

In an internal memo that Fortune Sithole, CEO at Word of Mouth Pictures, send to staffers on Wednesday and that TVwithThinus has seen, Fortune Sithole said that the production company "extend our apologies for the late communication regarding the payment of salaries".

"Unfortunately our client (SABC) did not pay us for invoices that were due for payment on 31 August 2020 as expected. We have since been in communication with them to resolve the matter and they have promised to do an emergency payment".

"At this stage we are unable to give a definitive timeline, however all salaries will be paid in real-time once payment is received," Fortune Sithole wrote.

On Friday afternoon at 16:10 the SABC in response to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus said that the SABC has now paid Muvhango again on Friday.

"The SABC can confirm that  payment to Word of Mouth production was effected today," said Mmoni Seapolelo, SABC spokesperson.

"The corporation has been using relevant channels to communicate with the production house to address this matter and is not in a position to divulge further details on this process, in the public domain."

TVwithThinus asked the SABC earlier why Muvhango wasn't paid when it was supposed to, and asked again after the public broadcaster's response, if it can please say why Word of Mouth was only paid on Friday and why the production company was not paid when it was supposed to.

The SABC didn't respond to the specific question by the time of publication of this report.


ALSO READ: Production shuts down on SABC2's Muvhango after crew and cast goes unpaid by the SABC for 2 months.

Failure in its back-up power system knocked multiple SABC radio stations off air after Eskom loadshedding on Thursday night.

by Thinus Ferreira

A failure in the SABC's back-up power system and a power surge knocked multiple radio stations of the South African public broadcaster off the air for over an hour on Thursday night.

Thursday night's SABC radio stations blackout occured when Eskom loadshedding kicked in in Johannesburg, after which the SABC's back-up power system failed to work properly.

Presenters, crew and listeners of several SABC radio stations were shocked and confused on Thursday night over the unexplained SABC radio broadcast blackout that led to dead air on Metro FM, 5FM, Radio 2000, SAfm, RSG and the SABC's Channel Africa radio station.

In response to a media enquiry, Mmoni Seapolelo, SABC spokesperson, told TVwithThinus on Friday that "The SABC can confirm that at 20:20 last night, there was a disruption of broadcast services to our Johannesburg-based radio stations, due to a surge of our back up power systems caused by load shedding".

"The services were restored at approximately 21:30. The affected radio stations included Metro FM, 5FM, Radio 2000, SAfm and RSG, as well as Channel Africa. The SABC apologises for any inconvenience this may have caused."