Free-to-air TV channel, e.tv has cancelled the filming of daily soapies and dramas at Sasani Studios, adhering to the president's call for a national lockdown from midnight on Thursday.
The local dramas and soapies including "Scandal!", "Rhythm City" and "Imbewu: The Seed", which brings together the nation for prime time viewing on weeknights, has been brought to a halt due to the announcement from president Cyril Ramaphosa on Monday.
In a statement from e.tv managing director, Marlon Davids, he said that production companies will not be filming during the lockdown, but the shows will continue to air during this time.
It is believed that there are enough episodes filmed to last until working procedures go back to normal - so viewing will not be interrupted.
“All production companies who work on our daily dramas/soaps will not be filming during the national lockdown. However, the shows will continue on-air during this time. e.tv will continue to deliver news and entertainment programming during the nationwide lockdown," said Davids.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/etvImbewu?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@etvImbewu9:30PM. pic.twitter.com/N4T5qeWOst
— e.tv South Africa (@etv)
Aside from the soapies and dramas, e.tv has added documentaries to their lineup which will keep viewers entertained during the lockdown.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/LockdownSA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LockdownSAevenings mean that now you’ll have the leisure of following your favourite series and documentaries.
Catch the thrilling documentary about the disappearance of Crystal Rogers on #eReality, #Openview channel 108. https://t.co/hJsiIzyv8L pic.twitter.com/luKKncDZ9E
— e.tv South Africa (@etv)
You can put your feet up and binge on drama series, don’t sweat it our content has you covered. https://t.co/6zFEiGtQrt
— @etv (@etv) March 24, 2020
Which local drama will you be binging on? pic.twitter.com/Kh7oZEGF99