Often when we look at SABC3 we hold a dedicated believe that the channel is without subterfuge towards it’s broadcasting decisions. When you look at how it manages to disappoint at superior levels whilst convinced its the best. How can we be expected to "Stay With" rubbish. It seems with every management of the channel comes with it a new pay-off line. Don't get me started on the presenters. They did a whole event with their introduction but some of these presenters are BAD. Maybe they should hire that former SABC1 presenter "Steve" or Stevovo" as he used to refer to himself. Maybe he would bring some good old fun. If you want to turn the whole station into THE TOP BILLING CHANNEL, what with your choice of programming especially magazine and variety programs which all look like a long extension of Top Billing. Inform us first!
However, it seems the channel has adopted a nihilistic approach to its television strategy especially when it comes to its “Side Track” segment which seams to be side tracking local music and videos.
I am not saying that they should play Mandoza, because he is so not SABC3 material. But as much as the channel invests its efforts in scheduling foreign artist videos (because Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Mariam Makeba are international artists, so the use of the words “international artists” should be done carefully) they should find local artists who fit the SABC3 brand much like the foreign videos they have on.
I refuse to believe that this channel can be as demented as to think that what SABC1 plays on its music lounge service is enough to satisfy every music need in South Africa more especially the SABC3 audience. Let’s face it, you need to be very desperate to enjoy music lounge (my observations coming soon).
What is clear thou, is that we do not have enough Michael Buble’s to satisfy SABC3’s hunger, but we have your Lira’s and other artists who may very well provide satisfaction. I cannot handle another Mariah Carey and that performance by Celine anymore. We have enough talent for the station to develop a great opportunity to showcase alternative artists who are not Kwaito, Gospel and the other popular crap. They could introduce a segment under their side track which will encourage local artists to be showcased. The problem with that, amongst other things, is that they will also discriminate on the actual artists and end up providing viewers with horrible and disgusting Playlists. So, one could actually say the foreign stuff could be our best bet if only they where schedule very well.
They should also try just a tad, to schedule such videos to be played on time to avoid the 2-to-4 minute delays on our regular programming line-up whilst they bore us to death and back. Just a thought SABC3, it’s not a cool trip. At some point I thought someone was paying some serious payola for the channel to air these videos, but the scheduling is so horrible that you need to be out of your mind to pay for such crap!
The most dreadful are those electronic press kits which air forever on the channel and we are yet to see a local EPK. Those artists will be going on-and-on about their music, their videos, director this and producer than. All the while you are thinking, “If you don’t stop this, I am going go Columbine on your ass”
What about those “SABC Presents” promotions. They have been running for so long that they are now part of the channel. C’mon, you want me to support an already lucrative foreign music business whilst endorsing your notion that local is crap. Have you ever thought that you are contributing, on a national scale, to the continued underdevelopment of the local music industry.
Another interesting factor is that those playlists actually enrich the foreign artists because the SABC has to pay royalties for music to the publishers of such music as featured on the videos. This is sick…very sick!!
We have a lot of artists and bands who are not necessarily Kwaito and those hectic type musicians. The channel can very easily contribute to their exposure and aid in getting the country to support them, instead of shoving promos of foreign artists in order to edge viewers to buy foreign music just because the channel decided to enter into some deal with its brand on the CD sleeve. Sad!
Question… how many American, British, Australian even Chinese or German broadcasters play South African music on-and-on during their broadcasts, 24hrs a day, on every available filler? Whilst their national artists are battling to get airplay!
We have a national broadcaster who does not even respect national artists. I guess the channel including others have mastered the art of promoting artists when they are dead not when they are alive. Shame on you!
To believe that the channel will ever do something about side track would be crazy to say the least. So to help ourselves, we should continue to subscribe to Dstv since we can get a good dose of music videos on all the available music satellite channels.
On the other hand shows Like Everwood and Jericho are finally retuning to the line-up but my question is where is BONES?
This was a great prime-time show, something different and the dialogue was unbelievable. Its now on its 4th season and no sign of its return. Maybe it will come back to SABC3 in 2015. Who knows!
SABC3 has become an insufferable exercise in watching television. Viewers are more loyal to thier choice of shows than the actual brand or channel. We watch these shows on their channel because we have no choice. Its like prisoners and food in jail. They eat because they don't have a choice. Hunger is a mother! I guess that makes good business sense for SABC3.
This marks the final in the two part series.
By The Observer
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