NO different to most countries, the TV landscape in South Africa is a cut-throat one. On the one hand, we have Pay TV – with MultiChoice dominating that arena – which has been reinforced with platforms like StarSat, OpenView HD and VIDI entering the market. Then there are the free-to-air offerings on SABC1, 2 and 3 and e.tv.
Of these options, SABC has been trending – not in a flattering light, mind you. Like our country’s notorious service provider that’s sparked the nations rage with a dim future, SABC has accumulated a legacy of upsets with its content: from the canning of the lead actors in one of its flagship soaps to the mind-numbing repeats and dated offerings.
We will not delve much into whether a recent guest smoked weed while being interviewed on TV, or Eben Jansen’s melt-down during his interview with Economic Freedom Fighters spokesperson, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi. Honestly, it was some of the best unscripted entertainment to be seen.
Just last month, there was an uproar over the SABC selling some of its top shows to MultiChoice. However, they merely sold the licensing rights of shows that have aired to expand their fan base.
From a business perspective, that was a savvy move. Surprisingly. But the same cannot be said of SABC: Encore, which recently launched on DStv channel 156.
According to the statement of Hlaudi Motsoeneng, SABC’s beleaguered Chief Operations Officer, the undertaking was strategic as they want to have a voice on many platforms.
He said: “As the competition for audience heightens, the SABC needs to ensure that it provides a variety of new services on as many platforms as possible to maintain its competitive position in a market of increasing choice.”
As a TV critic I have more questions than assurances from that statement.
Content, home-grown and of the international stable, are constantly pushing the envelope while giving birth to a more discerning audience. Any stride made by a network/corporation has to be pioneering given the dog-eat-dog market environment.
SABC: Encore is not the first channel to assume that taking viewers down a nostalgic path would be a huge success. Fox tried it with reruns of Magnum P.I. as did CBS Drama with Walker Texas Ranger.
But Fox has realised its folly and now rebranded the channel with ground-breaking shows à la The Strain, Empire, Tyrant and Wayward Pines.
Attempts to get official comment on how the SABC plan on having this competitive edge – not addressed in the press release – were in vain. I imagine the spokespeople are too busy trawling through the SABC archives and revelling in the nostalgia. Those were the good ol’ days for the SABC. There was lots more commissioning of content with coffers that were overflowing.
So forgive me my sceptic disposition about getting as excited as the SABC about watching reruns of shows from the ’80s and ’90s. But, hey, if Agter Elke Man, Noot vir Noot, Kideo, Take 5, Molo Fish, Wielie Walie or Bophelo Ke Sempekgo appeal to you instead of Game of Thrones, The Blacklist or Katch It With Khanyi, tune in.
• SABC: Encore airs on DStv from 5pm to 11pm on weekdays.