SA version of UK show is not half-baked

Published Apr 13, 2015

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IT’S confirmed. The Great South African Bake Off is the new locally-formatted series to succeed Come Dine With Me South Africa.

Kully Kaur Bains, the Head of Programming Africa of BBC Worldwide, confirmed the news: “The UK version of The Great British Bake Off has been doing phenomenally well. It’s attracting audiences by the millions. The trend is huge.”

It was in April last year when BBC Worldwide announced that there would not be a fourth season of the Safta-winning homegrown series, which amassed five million viewers and frequently trended on Twitter.

Joel Churcher, the then newly appointed Vice-President and General Manager Africa, said: “Come Dine With Me South Africa was a huge hit for BBC Entertainment and we are very proud of the series. We feel the time is right to… seek new opportunities for a fresh, innovative local format for audiences to enjoy.”

At the time, however, BBC Worldwide decided, given the plethora of reality TV offerings saturating the market, to create a buzz with a format that is both refreshing and exciting.

But they couldn’t confirm if the new show would be in keeping with a food theme or not… until now.

Kaur Bains says the UK format has already been sold to 18 countries, South Africa included.

The UK version, which features Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood as the judges and is hosted by Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins, also won two British Academy of Film and Television Arts (Bafta) awards (2012 and 2013) and like most successful shows, attracted its share of controversy over the seasons.

The Head of Programming Africa adds: “We have been working on the call to entry; telling people how they can apply to the show and that goes live today. We go into filming in early August, with a view of having the show delivered in the quarter fall of the year.”

And once again, renowned local production house, Rapid Blue, will be at the helm of this project.

Kaur Bains says they are looking for two judges: one from the UK and one locally. Only after finding them will they look to cast the presenters to ensure the dynamics work.

She notes: “We are looking at a lot of people in the market; they must epitomise a sense of humour, be lots of fun and, of course, knowledgeable.”

The formats with the signature challenge, technical challenge and showstopper challenge will remain. However, they will be tapered to whet local appetites.

Kaur Bains adds: “I’m sure there will be some tweaks in the format and so on. I think viewers are going to love it. It will be filmed in Joburg. And I’m sure it will feature the local favourites: koeksisters, malva pudding, milk tart and so on.”

With the British series already being lapped up on BBC Lifestyle, Kaur Bains reveals: “Looking at the trend in South Africa and the show doubling its audience share, this new series is expected to do very well.”

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