Paramount Africa ramps up and expands its Nickelodeon 'Nick in your language' South African dubbing plan with more shows in isiZulu and Afrikaans

by Thinus Ferreira

Paramount Africa that has found success and has been able to bring new DStv subscribers and viewers into its fold, is ramping up and expanding its dubbing initiative of Nickelodeon shows in other South African languages and will roll out even more programming given Afrikaans and isiZulu soundtracks.

Paramount Africa's growing offering of language-localised Nickelodeon content follows after its tremendous success - now duplicated by BBC Studios Africa with CBeebies - of PAW Patrol and SpongeBob SquarePants in Afrikaans and isiZulu.

Nickelodeon is now expanding its "Nick in Your Language" initiative and will roll out further fan-favourite titles in local South African languages.

Since September some of Nickelodeon's most popular series are now available in both Afrikaans and isiZulu on NickToons (DStv 308), which Paramount Africa says allows "younger viewers to connect with their favourite heroes in their home language".

The upcoming line-up includes Dora the Explorer, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Rubble and Crew, SpongeBob SquarePants, and others.

Dora the Explorer's first season is now in Afrikaans and isiZulu on NickToons at 08:00 since 16 September, while the first season of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles will be in Afrikaans and isiZulu on NickToons from 29 September at 17:00.

The first season of Rubble and Crew will premiere in Afrikaans and isiZulu on NickToons from 4 November at 08:30, while season 13 of SpongeBob SquarePants will premiere in Afrikaans and isiZulu on 4 November on NickToons at 8:30.

The second season of PAW Patrol will premiere in Afrikaans and isiZulu on NickToons on 25 November at 08:00.

Dillon Khan, vice president of Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Studios & Creative Services for Africa), says "We're incredibly proud to bring some of Nickelodeon's biggest shows to South Africa in Afrikaans and isiZulu, furthering our commitment to making kids' entertainment more accessible and inclusive".

"This project is all about celebrating the diverse languages and cultures of our audience while giving kids the chance to engage with their favourite shows in a way that resonates with them."

Nickelodeon says as it continues to broaden its "Nick in Your Language" initiative, viewers can look forward to more titles and content "that reflects South Africa's rich cultural landscape and serves as a testament to our beloved rainbow nation".

Trying to lower Gayton McKenzie threats on sports rights, MultiChoice's SuperSport sublicense under a quarter of PSL matches to SABC.

by Thinus Ferreira

Trying to lower pressure from South Africa's sports minister Gayton McKenzie who wants more South African viewers to have access to national sports, MultiChoice and SuperSport have grudgingly sublicensed a quarter of the current season's Premier Soccer League football matches to South Africa's public broadcaster.

MultiChoice will allow the SABC to broadcast 51 out of over 300 PSL matches which include 23 Betway Premiership matches, 12 Nedbank Cup matches, 10 Carling Black Label Cup matches and 6 National First Division games.

League matches will be broadcast on SABC1 on Saturdays. SuperSport will broadcast all 240 Betway Premiership games live on DStv and MultiChoice's streamer Showmax.

In a joint statement MultiChoice and the SABC say SuperSport and the SABC "have reached an agreement on the sub-licensing of Premier Soccer League (PSL) broadcast rights for the new Betway Premiership season".

MultiChoice and the SABC note that the sub-licensing deal "comes on the back of strong relations developing between the two broadcasters".

Besides being able to lower the pressure South Africa's new sports minister has put on the pay-TV operator and the South African public broadcaster, their strengthened relationship also serves both in an ongoing case against eMedia's e.tv when it comes to sports rights.

Rendani Ramovha, SuperSport CEO, says "The latest sub-licence agreement with the SABC is another step towards a strong relationship with the public broadcaster, for the benefit of football lovers across the country and the African continent".

"The PSL has proven itself time and again to be the most coveted football product among South Africans and we look forward to delivering another outstanding season of football action on SuperSport."

Nomsa Chabeli, SABC CEO, says "We are pleased with this acquisition, which is another demonstration of our commitment to delivering exceptional support content to our diverse audiences."

SABC hunts ghost workers using selfies

by Thinus Ferreira

The South African public broadcaster's SABC News division is on the hunt for further ghost workers and is rooting out non-existent workers through a verification process using selfies.

Insiders told me that the SABC has embarked on another ghost worker eradication process that started yesterday and will last a week with all workers in Gauteng who have to present themselves in person and those elsewhere who have to appear on a video call and also hold up a photo of themselves.

Mmoni Seapolelo, SABC manager for media relations, confirmed the broadcaster's latest ghost worker hunt in its news division and told me in response to a media query "The SABC can confirm that an audit of the verification process for independent contractors within the news and current affairs division has commenced".

"This is a standard procedure conducted by SABC's group internal audit, based on the results of their risk assessment processes".

According to SABC insiders, the process started on 19 September and will continue for a week until 26 September.

SABC freelancers were told that all independent contractors in Gauteng must "present themselves" physically to the broadcaster's internal audit office on the 11th floor of the Radio Park building in Auckland Park, while those not living and working within Gauteng will be verified through a video call on Microsoft Teams.

In addition, workers must submit proof of identity like a South African ID smart card, a bank account confirmation letter not older than two months, and even hold up a clear photo holding proof of identity when this verification is done through the Microsoft Teams video call.

The salary bill of the bloated SABC is the public broadcaster's single biggest expense with the broadcaster that this week in parliament again asked the government for additional state funding, as well as for an overhaul of its outdated SABC TV Licence system which less than 13% of South African TV households on its database still bother to pay annually.

South Africa's highest court orders famously matricless Hlaudi Motsoeneng to pay back R18 million 'SABC success fee' bonus

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's Constitutional Court has confirmed what multiple lower courts have already ordered: That the famously matricless former SABC boss Hlaudi Motsoeneng must pay back over R11.5 million plus interest amounting to R18 million to the embattled South African public broadcaster which he received as a so-called "success fee" bonus.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng lost his expensive fourth court bid to have the pay-back-the-money order overturned and has finally run out of all legal options.

The SABC, which Hlaudi Motsoeneng helped to destroy further through multiple disastrous decisions as COO and acting CEO, paid him R11.5 million seven years ago in September 2016 as part of a so-called "success fee" over an extremely controversial deal between the broadcaster and the private pay-TV company MultiChoice.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng was fired in 2017 after a SABC disciplinary hearing which found him guilty of misconduct.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng's "success fee" was not approved by the SABC board, with the broadcaster that in fact didn't even have any policy for the paying of any bonus or "success fee" related to transactions or deals with other companies.

The "success fee" was paid on top of Hlaudi Motsoeneng's annual R3.6 million salary, who was appointed at the SABC after he faked a matric certificate for a school grade he never completed.

Hlaudi Motsoeneng went to the Constitutional Court, seeking to appeal the 23 January 2023 decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal which had dismissed his application with costs.

This week South Africa's Constitutional Court flat out refused to hear Hlaudi Motsoeneng's appeal against the previous court orders compelling him to pay back the R11.5 million with interest amounting to over R18 million.

In a short note, the Constitutional Court said "The Constitutional Court has considered the application for condonation and the application for leave to appeal and has concluded that the application for leave to appeal does not engage its jurisdiction".

"Consequently, leave to appeal must be refused with costs and the Court need not decide the application for condonation,” said acting registrar of the Constitutional Court Mpilo Hlongwane.

The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg declared Hlaudi Motsoeneng's "success fee" bonus unlawful in December 2021 and ordered him to pay back the money within seven days. 

The Gauteng High Court in December 2021 in its judgment noted that Hlaudi Motsoeneng "was not an innocent bystander in all of this, he set out to obtain a benefit that he was not entitled to, knowing full well that his employment contract did not allow for bonuses".

"The only reasonable inference to be drawn is that he received payment of the success fee in circumstances that he knew, or ought to have known, that he was not entitled to it, this was unlawful."

The Court noted that Hlaudi Motsoeneng as a top executive at the SABC should have been aware that he can't be paid a "success fee" bonus.

The same case was also being investigated by South Africa's Special Investigating Unit (SIU). 

"The Special Investigating Unit has already recovered R6 476 515 from his pension benefits," the SIU said on Thursday in a statement.

"The SIU welcomes and sees the constitutional court's decision of 18 September 2024 as a positive step as it clears the way to pursue the outstanding amount from Hlaudi Motsoeneng."

kykNET's Die Brug and SABC2's Takalani Sesame get 2024 International Emmy Awards nods

by Thinus Ferreira

The reality show Die Brug on kykNET as well as the educational children's show Takalani Sesame both got 2024 International Emmy nominations.

It means that South Africa got two International Emmy Awards nods this year, compared to three last year and is also kykNET's first International Emmy Awards nomination ever.

The two South African shows are part of 56 International Emmy nominees across 14 categories that are competing in the 2024 International Emmy Awards taking place on 25 November in New York.

South Africa's two nominees are part of this year's nominees coming from Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Poland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye and the United Kingdom.

"Every year the international television community competes to be recognized on the International Emmys' much-coveted global stage," says Bruce L. Paisner, International Academy president and CEO, in a statement.

"We congratulate the nominees for their outstanding programs and performances, they are once again a testament to the universal appeal of great storytelling across all genres, countries and cultures."

Die Brug, produced by Red Pepper Pictures for M-Net's kykNET (DStv 144) channel on MultiChoice's DStv has been renewed for a second season and is a nominee in the category for Best non-scripted entertainment.

Die Brug, produced by Frederick Louw and Lindi Lucouw, is also a contender in the Best International format category for this year's 18th South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) organised by the National Film and Television Foundation (NFVF) taking place in October in Johannesburg.

In its International Emmy Awards category Die Brug is up against Me Caigo De Risa [Anything Goes] from TelevisaUnivision in Mexico, Restaurant Misverstand [The Restaurant That Makes Mistakes] from Roses Are Blue in Belgium, as well as The Summit from Endemol Shine Australia in Australia.

"Die Brug is a very special format and somewhat of an enigma to produce,” says Cecil Barry, CEO of Red Pepper.

"Working with kykNET on this wonderful format was indeed a great adventure and privilege. We are proud and excited about this Emmy nomination, especially because it brings international recognition to kykNET and Red Pepper."

Waldimar Pelser, M-Net director of premium channels, says "When Marguerite Albrecht, one of the commissioning producers at kykNET, suggested in May 2022 that kykNET adapt the international format Die Brug for our viewers, we knew something exciting was coming".

"The end product, produced by Red Pepper, provided our viewers with immense enjoyment. To receive international recognition for an Afrikaans production filmed near the picturesque Swellendam in the Southern Cape is immensely gratifying. And the second season will be airing on kykNET next year."

Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice CEO for general entertainment, says "Die Brug is one of those rare reality shows that come along from time to time that turn the genre on its head".

"We’re proud to have been able to adapt a top-notch international format for our local market – and produce such an amazing local version. Congratulations to our talented crew on bringing a uniquely South African flavour to Die Brug, which stands comfortably alongside versions produced anywhere else in the world."

The first season of Die Brug is currently available on MultiChoice's Showmax streamer.

Takalani Sesame which was also a nominee in the 2023 International Emmy Awards is again a nominee in the Kids: factual category.

Takalani Sesame on the South African public broadcaster's SABC2 and produced by the Sesame Workshop and Ochre Moving Pictures, is nominated for its Takalani Sesame Big Feelings special.

In the category, Takalani Sesame competes against De Mensenbieb [Living Library] from Skyhigh TV in the Netherlands, La Vida Secreta de tu Mente [The Secret Life of Your Mind] from Warner Bros. Discovery in Mexico, as well as My Life: Eva's Having a Ball from Fresh Start Media in the United Kingdom.

M-Net cancels Mzansi Magic's troubled and low-rated Gqeberha: The Empire produced by Tshedza Pictures after 2 seasons and 520 episodes.

by Thinus Ferreira

M-Net has cancelled the troubled and low-rated isiXhosa Gqeberha: The Empire telenovela on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), produced by Tshedza Pictures, after two seasons and 520 episodes.

Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, confirmed that Gqeberha: The Empire has been cancelled, with the show filmed in the Eastern Cape province that was beset by production problems and issued when it launched two years ago.

According to Shirley Adonisi, Mzansi Magic is "preparing to close the chapter" on Gqeberha: The Empire.

"We extend our heartfelt thanks to the producers, cast and crew of Gqeberha: The Empire," Shirley Adonisi says in a cancellation announcement.

"Their unwavering dedication and exceptional talent have delivered spellbinding storylines in one of the most fiercely competitive primetime slots. As we approach the grand finale, we eagerly anticipate witnessing the culmination of this extraordinary journey."

Gqeberha: The Empire drew at most 570 793 viewers in August to Mzansi Magic and was renewed for a second season late in 2023.

From before its launch to now two years later Mzansi Magic publicity and PR for Gqeberha: The Empire was basically non-existent, with little to no effort from M-Net to market and promo the show under the media.

That led to little attention and coverage in the press and DStv subscribers who didn't seem to care for it, similar to the cancelled Champions telenovela - co-incidentally also produced by Tshedza Pictures.

TV RATINGS AUGUST 2024. SABC2's Muvhango plunges, Bonang Matheba's B'dazzled a SABC3 flop while The Lion King roars for e.tv

by Thinus Ferreira

The SABC's struggling Muvhango lost close to a quarter million viewers and a further fifth of its SABC2 audience when it resumed in August, and while Bonang Matheba's B'dazzled attempt at a reality TV return on SABC3 was a flop, The Lion King roared for e.tv.

Following the break between season 25 and the delayed start of season 26 of a "new" Muvhango, the Word of Mouth Pictures show shed over 241 000 viewers after it fell from an already low 1.32 million viewers on SABC2 in July to just 1 084 399 viewers at most in August after it returned.

The SABC announced that it signed a new contract with Word of Mouth Pictures and that Muvhango would return on 5 August, but it then didn't and only resumed a week later on 12 August and without the SABC's promised new opening sequence and updated logo. 

Only two weeks later on 27 August did Muvhango notch its highest viewership of last month at just over a million viewers - a loss of a further 18% of its viewers and another fifth of its total audience gone.

More concerning is that although SABC2 is publicly available, it has now become the SABC's second of its three TV channels (following SABC3) where its most-watched regular show has fewer viewers than a pay-TV channel like Mzansi Wethu's Sibongile & the Dlaminis.

Bonang Matheba's little publicised reality TV return was a flop for SABC where B'dazzled eeked out a meagre 331 238 viewers at most in August - less than the umpteenth repeat at 12pm of the 1980's American series The A-Team and Knight Rider, and even fewer viewers than repeat episodes of SABC3's Deal or No Deal SA.

The 2024 Miss South Africa pageant on Saturday 10 August at 18:00 - co-incidentally hosted by Bonang Matheba as well, however lifted SABC3 to 1 032 596 viewers. 

Although her reality show flopped, Bonang did bring SABC3 for the month very close to SABC2's  Muvhango viewership numbers.

Top soaps largely steady

SABC1's Uzalo dropped from 5.63 million viewers in July to 4.93 million - a loss of over 600 000 viewers, although it remains the most watched show on SABC1 and the whole of South African television.

Generations - The Legacy remained in second place and dropped from 4.75 million to 4.42 million viewers in August. 

Skeem Saam was slightly up from 4.31 million to 4.37 million viewers in August as South Africa's third most-watched show in South Africa, followed by e.tv's House of Zwide in fourth place which sagged from 4.66 million to 4.15million viewers in August.

Scandal! on e.tv lost further ratings ground from 3.68 million to 3.45 million viewers in August opposite Skeem Saam in the same timeslot.

The Lion King roars for e.tv

The Zulu TV news bulletin on SABC1 held steady with 2.49 million viewers as South Africa's most-watched newscast.

The rugby match between the Springboks and New Zealand on 31 August which SuperSport simulcast on SABC2, led to it being SABC2's most-watched content during last month with 1.38 million viewers.

Morning Live grew from 454 293 to 480 663 viewers in August on SABC2, while the Afrikaans TV news when it was suddenly placed back on SABC2 over weekends, drew 479 914 viewers.

On SABC3 the latest season of MasterChef SA fell to 325 191 viewers at most, and the English TV news bulletin had 681 408 viewers. 

On e.tv the English News @ 8 had 1.69 million viewers, Isitha - The Enemy dropped from 3.73 million to 3.36 million viewers, while Isiphetho held steady at 2.68 million viewers. 

An umpteenth reshowing of Leon Schuster's Mr Bones netted e.tv a big 2.57 million viewers, while a special reshowing of Disney's The Lion King for its 30th anniversary lured a handsome 2.5 million viewers on 17 August.

On MultiChoice's DStv Sibongile & the Dlaminis had 1.344 million viewers - more viewers than Muvhango on SABC2 although Sibongile & the Dlaminis is on Mzansi Wethu as a pay-TV channel.

Umkhokha The Curse lured 847 169 DStv subscribers, while Isencane Lengane on Moja Love (DStv 157) lured 684 716 viewers in August and X-Repo 602 758.

Veteran actor Paul Lückhoff dead at 71 after short illness

by Thinus Ferreira

The veteran South African film, stage and TV actor Paul Lückhoff died Tuesday morning after a short illness. He was 71. His cause of death is not yet known.

With a storied acting career, Paul Lückhoff was recently most well-known among Afrikaans TV viewers for his role as Wimpie du Toit in the soap Binnelanders on kykNET (DStv 144).

Fellow Binnelanders actor Germandt Geldenhuys on Tuesday in a statement said "Paul leaves a big gap not just in South Africa's entertainment industry but also in the hearts of his friends, colleagues and viewers who supported him over the years". 

Paul Lückhoff started his career on stage in the late 1970s in Stryd met Engele, Atlantis, Atlantis!, Die Vasvat van 'n feeks, Die leeu in die winter, Ek, Anna van Wyk and Die Koggelaar. 

On South African television Paul Lückhoff appeared in multiple TV shows over decades, ranging from SABC2's Arsenaal and Dryfsand, Fynbos, Meisie van Suidwes, Moord op die Lug, Reccie, Erfsondes, Feast of the Uninvited, Hopeville, Kooperasiestories, Moeggeploeg, Begeertes, Onder Draai die Duiwel Rond and Ietermago, as well as kykNET's Plek van die Vleisvreters, and Siende Blind. 

He also had a role in M-Net's Egoli as cult leader Menasse. In The Visual Bible: Acts he played Simon.

In film Paul Lückhoff starred in 1983's The Skull, Verraaiers, Platteland, Stargazer, Broer Matie 2003's Stander, 2011's Roepman and Triomf. 

Anele Mdoda on why South Africa needs the SABC to not fail and be successful

by Thinus Ferreira

The multi-hyphenate producer-presenter Anele Mdoda says South Africa's TV and film industry requires a strong South African public broadcaster that doesn't fail and an SABC that is successful.

Anele Mdoda spoke at the Primedia Studios-sponsored Women in Entertainment breakfast held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC) where she was the keynote speaker and addressed a room of women who attended the MIP Africa 2024 TV market.

"We need a SABC. We need to work together to ensure that the SABC not fail, survives, works and is successful," she noted. 

"The BBC in the United Kingdom - the national anything - the vehicle through which we speak to the most people in South Africa - it is our job as creatives and as women in this industry to ensure its success. Regardless of whether anyone or anything is in competition with the SABC or not," she said.

Through her Rose and Oaks Media production company, Anele Mdoda in partnership with Primedia Studios is producing a localised format version of The Masked Singer SA as well as Ready, Steady, Cook for SABC3. 

Primedia Studios is also doing Wheel of Fortune SA, Deal or No Deal SA, and a new season of MasterChef SA through Homebrew Films for the SABC TV channels. 

"The people and places at the top are not competing. They are collaborating," Anele Mdoda said.

"This is how Primedia Studios gets into a deal with the SABC. Everyone was 'How is Primedia Studios there with SABC which is the enemy?"

"Jonathan Procter who is our CEO, simply said 'We are going to make content as Primedia Studios and we are going to give it to the SABC and we're going to sell it, and we're going to make money and we're going to help get the SABC out of its rut because if the SABC collapses then all of us are also done."

"Look at MultiChoice - who can we talk to over there? We've got this thing. Can we do this there? Give us that and we'll do it there or here. This whole thing of 'We don't talk to each other' - it won't take any of us anywhere," Anele Mdoda remarked.

"Put your hands up if you've worked at one media place your entire career. Put your hand up if you've worked at more than one media place in your career," she said as many hands went up.

"If you do things where you block people from doing something, you're cutting yourself off. Do not worry about what you're not. Surround yourself with the people who do it the best. It's an orchestra. It's an ensemble."

"We're all good. We are all playing different instruments. Pick up your instrument and shine at that. Don't worry about the harp if you're not the harp. Don't worry if you're not the violinist. Go where you are skilled and piece it all together and then everyone is going to succeed."