It was the SABC Unfronts in Cape Town today and TVSA was in the action and blogged live.
The focus of the Upfronts was to deliver news on the SABC's plans once the World Cup ends - for SABC1,2 and 3 and radio.
The event took place at the One & Only in the Waterfront. The host: Michael Mol.
Here's a live account of proceedings and the news shared:
09h15: Breakfast
Breakfast is served before proceedings begin.
10h00: Tribute to Eddie Zondi
The event begins with a tribute to Eddie. RIP Eddie.
10h15: A new approach
SABC: "We know the landscape is changing and we have a new approach".
"We tell the nation's story."
Wanele Mngomezulu (General Manager: SABC Business Intelligence) is the first speaker, tells guests that the SABC aims to improve the country's socio-economic challenges to stimulate the economy.
"We're passionate about restoring human dignity."
Wanele unpacks the markets that the SABC caters to, specifically for advertisers and their representatives who are at the event.
10h30: Radio
Eugene Zwane (
SABC radio sales General Manager): "We're all about delivering public value. Informing, educating and entertaining. Also supporting and developing culture."
SABC radio has had a growth of 2 million listeners in the past year.
Zoli Mapipa (
General Manager for SABC radio stations): "We decided not to lose our talent to the competition. We gave them three-year contracts. " - contracts used to be for a year.
Now playing: a screener featuring radio awards ceremonies (i.e. the Metros) with an overview of the listeners who listen to the different SABC radio stations.
11h45: TV
General Manager of TV Leo Manne on the panel to talk about SABC1, 2 and 3.
Leo reveals that the SABC will launch a second channel with DStv later this year - a general entertainment channel (joins the SABC News Channel as the second SABC channel on DStv).
12h00: Intro. to updates on SABC1, 2, and 3
Sporting highlights confirmed:
1. The Durban July - coming up in early JUly
2. ODI cricket (at Christmas)
Jam Sandwich and 50/50 to move to SABC3. Leo: "It's part of our plan for more local content on SABC3. We're committed to investing more in local content."
12h15: Changes on SABC1
Big changes coming after the World Cup:
- SABC1 won't be the same from July. The schedule has changed completely. The introduction of
Skeem Saam as a soapie.
- News bulletins to move to 19h00.
- Generations stays at 20h00.
12h20: Changes on SABC2
Changes coming to SABC2 after the World Cup:
- Afrikaans news to move from SABC2 to SABC3.
- The channel to introduce local and international telenovelas. Will be introducing game shows too. One of these is titled What's Behind the Wall? To air two days a week.
- The channel will also introduce a new documentary called Bakai (Where are they?). A series about famous sports stars, celebs etc who are out of the limelight now. Where are they? What's happened to them?
- A new local sitcom coming at 20h00 on Saturdays.
12h25 Changes to SABC3
Changes coming to SABC3 (also after the Cup):
- SABC3 head of channel
Aisha Mohamed: "There's a focus on good local entertainment. We're looking at it as an evolution."
- Channel to increase local content.
- Look and feel of the channel to change too.
- Aisha: "By February next year you'll have a totally different SABC3."
- Aisha on Strictly Come Dancing: "We want to bring it back to it's heyday."