TV lovers... prepare for the imminent arrival of a show for TV lovers about TV lovers.
Sony Channel has commissioned their first South African series and they've opted to do a local version of Gogglebox.
It's a British format that features TV fans giving their opinions while watching shows that have aired over the past week. It launched on Channel 4 two years ago and it's done well for them. Last year it won a BAFTA for "Best Reality and Constructed Factual Programme" and it won a National Television Award this year.
As you'll see from the clip below, it stars regular people watching TV in their homes. It's filmed by remote controlled cameras that are operated by a small team who are tucked away in another room in the house.
The TV lovers featured often recur so that viewers watching them get to know them too. In fact, one couple on the UK show have become so popular that they've landed a spin-off show of their own.
I've been snooping for goss on how they'll be choosing our TV lovers and word from Sony is that the producers and directors will be going out on the streets to find avid TV fans for it. From the sounds of it it's going to be more of a spontaneous casting process than a casting call, which sucks for those who really want to be on it but aren't in the right place at the right time. I'll keep you posted when I hear more about this.
The other question still up-in-the-air is which shows will be covered on it. You know how possessive channels get over things. Will everyone only speak about Sony Channel shows or DStv shows or will it cover all South African shows? There's no confirm on this yet - will let you know when there is.
In the meantime, here's a trailer from the UK one that gives an idea of what it's like: