SABC


SABC revives ‘South Africa’s Got Talent’ with Primedia Studios

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has revived South Africa’s Got Talent after a seven-year hiatus. The reality competition format previously aired for two seasons on SABC 2 from 2009, before moving to e.tv for a further six seasons and going off air in 2017. Primedia Studios, the production and distribution division of African entertainment […]

Gary Pudney strikes Small World deal for South Africa format ‘Note For Note’

Hong Kong-based O4 Media has acquired Asian distribution rights to South African show Note For Note (aka Noot vir Noot). The musical gameshow format debuted on SABC in South Africa and is sold elsewhere by Tim Crescenti’s Small World International. Gary Pudney, O4 Media founder, said: “The show’s combination of music, competition, and emotional depth […]

South Africa’s SABC searches for CEO as Madoda Mxakwe after five years

Madoda Mxakwe has stepped down as CEO at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Mxakwe had been in charge of the South African organisation for five years but will depart 30 June when his current conatrct expires. The exec, who is the first SABC Group CEO to complete his contract in over 15 years, was […]

TBI Weekly: What’s next for Africa’s blooming drama business?

From the impact of streamers such as Amazon, Showmax and Netflix, to the acceptance of dubbing/subtitling and the appetite for international coproductions, drama series from Africa are in demand like never before. To explore what this means across the continent and beyond, TBI partnered with The Africa Channel (TAC) and its production division, TAC Studios, […]

Known Associates & RTI ink first-ever SA & Ivory Coast co-pro deal on sci-fi series ‘Ambre’

South Africa’s Known Associates Entertainment is partnering with Ivory Coast pubcaster RTI on sci-fi drama series Ambre, marking the first co-production between the two countries. Filming will take place in South Africa and Ivory Coast and feature actors from both countries, with a script in English and French. South African pubcaster SABC has pre-licensed the […]

‘Drowning in debt’ SABC on brink of collapse

The South African Broadcasting Company (SABC) is “drowning in debt” and requires a Rand 3.2 billion (€1.9bn) injection from the government in order to avoid a shutdown. To make matters worse, the organisation says that it might not be able to pay employee salaries for the month of June. Speaking with the Sunday Times, SABC […]

News brief: African broadcaster enters Jabu’s Jungle

Africa’s Econet Media has bought South African animated kids series Jabu’s Jungle and will broadcast it in 17 territories. Gulli in Africa and South African network SABC have already bought the show from Ireland-based distributor Monster Entertainment. The 4-7-targeted 13x22mins series follows the nine-year-old Jabu and his magic talking drum as they explore the jungle […]

SABC boss resigns, slams ‘corrosive’ b’caster

The acting head of the SABC, Jimi Matthews, has resigned, saying there is a “corrosive atmosphere” at the South African pubcaster and that conditions at the state broadcaster is wrong. The SABC confirmed Matthews’ departure, noting his resignation, tendered on Monday, was effective immediately. Having been head of news at the broadcaster, he became acting CEO […]

Europe’s most valuable formats

The UK is the most lucrative formats market in Europe, while TF1 is the leading broadcaster and Money Drop and Come Dine with Me are the most successful formats in the region, according to new research. Endemol, ITV and FremantleMedia, meanwhile, are Europe’s most successful formats distributors. Knowing the value of your content is a […]

African format first for All3Media

All3Media International has picked up rights to a cooking show from South Africa, the first time it has acquired a format from the country and the wider region. The distributor will sell the Ultimate Braai Master format internationally. The show is produced by from Cape Town based producer Cooked in Africa Films and sees amateur […]