Centre stage
SABC3’ s got a brand-new tagline, a brand-new logo and a brand-new-ish line-up from this April.
“The stage is yours” – SABC3 fans can expect to see these words a lot over the next few months. The channel’s been given a revamp and “SABC3 is looking forward to launching some great new shows in the prime-time schedule this year,” explains Aisha Mohamed, Head Of Bouquet for the channel. But they’re not just adding new shows to their line-up, they’ve also given their schedule a nip here and a tuck there… including the reintroduction of mega-popular reality show Survivor (2000- current; see more on p53).
THE NUMBERS DON’T LIE
“SABC3 is re-affirming its position as the channel for younger adult audiences who are making life-affirming decisions,” says television group executive Nomsa Philiso. “We’re interested in exciting shows, big shows, local and international shows that will give us the viewership ratings that we want. Because more viewers means that we’re attracting the right audience.”
Nomsa adds that “these decisions aren’t taken lightly. There is research, to make sure that we make the correct choices and that they will impact our viewers in a positive way. And so far, I think that the SABC is making good progress [with channel changes to the SABC1 and 2 line-ups]”. General manager of channels Maijang Mpherwane says that “we feel that we’ve always had a good balance with the shows, but what is ‘good’? Why must our viewers settle for ‘good’ when ‘great’ is available?”
SHIFT OVER A LITTLE
Two of the biggest (and most notice- able) changes are early and late in the evenings and affect soapie fans. Bold & Beautiful (1987- current, see p26) swapped places with the News from Monday 3 April and now airs at 18:30, with the English news at 18:00. “That gives SABC2 and 3 viewers the chance to watch both 7de Laan (2000- current, see p24) and Bold & Beautiful instead of having to choose one or the other,” says Nomsa. Days Of Our Lives (1965- current, see p27) has clawed its way out the nightmare midnight slot too and fans can now tune in at 22:30 to catch the Salem shenanigans. Talkshows Afternoon Express (2015- current) and Real Talk With Anele (2016- current) are also trading place, with Afternoon Express shuffling earlier to 16:00 and Real Talk now a little later at 17:00.
INTRODUCING…
Socialite and businesswoman Uyanda Mbuli is headlining the new faces coming to SABC3 screens with her new behind-the-scenes reality show Uyanda: It’s On (2017- current) on Wednesdays at 21:00. “Uyanda is giving viewers a glimpse at her life from the inside,” says an SABC3 publicist. “She’s expanding her lifestyle and entertainment brand beyond the African continent and audiences are coming with.” Adding to the lifestyle and reality titles are The Good Life (Saturdays at 18:30), The Backstory (Sundays at 21:30) and Driving In Heels ( Tuesdays at 21:00). The Good Life follows talk-radio host Ernest Pillay as he chats with local icons, famous faces and celebs to understand their ideas of “the good life”, while The Backstory digs into celebrities’ careers and the paths (the good, the bad and the ugly) they took to get there. Meanwhile in Driving With Heels, motoring journo Vuyi Mpofu literally goes driving in her heels and pushes cars to their limits.
AND IN CASE YOU’VE MISSED IT!
You’ve been asking for years… and SABC3’s finally listened – the ever-popular Bollywood movies are back on the schedule, airing Sundays at 15:00.