Melody
Channel: SABC2
TX Time: 19h30
Genre: Musical, Drama
Musical drama television series about a young and talented penny-whistler from Athlone who uses music as a form of escapism from her impoverished background and abusive father.
When she gets an opportunity to audition for a music scholarship, will she stand up against her tyrannical father and follow her dreams?
Melody (Kim Bowers) is 18-years-old - pretty, insecure, self-conscious and a somewhat introverted young woman. Her dire domestic circumstances and her constant emotional sparring with her tyrannical father Eric are a source of strength, which propels her to perform good deeds.
But this is her biggest hindrance to achieving her goal, which is to escape her abject poverty.
Eric (Abduragman Adams) is 50-something, embittered, poker faced, beer bellied, flippant, extroverted. He wants to be a good father but he fails because his need to drown his sorrow overshadows his want.
In his few sober and guilt ridden moments he promises Melody that he will quit the booze, find a job and provide a respectful home for them both. However, he breaks each promise as consistently as night follows day.
Jack (Moeniel Jacobs) is a gang leader and local shebeen king who has an insatiable need for respect but uses violence and intimidation to achieve his ends.
Aunty Florrie (Celeste Williams) is a kind hearted, friendly and peace-loving spinster who lives on her own with her cats and music instruments. She is the township's source of teaching music and providing entertainment for the young and the old.
Bevan (Riedwaan Damon) is Melody's love interest - the neighbourhood clown who feels he is ready to attain his big break as a professional musician.
Nazli (Aeesha Petersen) is a tall, slender and beautiful final year performing arts student at UCT who is secretly in love with Bevan - but he gives her a cold shoulder because of his "love" for Melody.
Junior (Aya Ngobo) is Melody's younger brother with albinism, who worships her unconditionally.
MORE:
SABC2 capitalises on Cape Town TV craze with two new series
Melody on SABC2: Meet the characters and the actors who play them
TVSA Show Page: Melody
Louis Theroux: Surviving America's Most Hated Family
Channel: BBC Brit (DStv 120)
TX Time: 22h15
Genre: Documentary
Thirteen years since first encountering one of America's most notorious hate groups, Louis Theroux makes a return to Kansas to spend time with the Westboro Baptist Church - a hugely controversial Christian ministry that for years has picketed at military funerals and other high-profile events with deliberately provocative and homophobic placards.
In 2006 - and again in 2011 - Louis uncovered a world of indoctrination, masterminded by church-founder and figurehead Pastor Fred Phelps, known among his congregation as 'Gramps'.
But since his death in 2014 the church has experienced significant changes which have threatened to tear apart what was once a tight-knit family community, and had their relevance challenged in Trump's America, where outrageous statements are par for the course.
As well as a series of allegations about Pastor Phelps' final days, including rumours of mental illness and his excommunication, the church has also been hit by a number of high-profile family defections, including Pastor Phelps's granddaughter Megan - now Westboro's most prominent critic.
Yet despite the unrest, the church has continued to attract new members, including Bradford-born Mathias Holroyd, who sees Westboro's fire-and-brimstone rhetoric as the perfect tonic to his struggle to fit in with modern-day Britain.
Immersing himself in the strange and unpleasant world of Westboro, Louis explores what happens when a hate-group largely populated by one family loses its patriarch.
And, as he discovers, Pastor Phelps' doctrine of divine hate has cast a shadow not only on the church's true believers, but also on those who have managed to escape Westboro's vice-like grip.
MotherFatherSon
Channel: SABC3
TX Time: 21h30
Genre: Drama
An eight-part drama starring Richard Gere (descending from the lofty heights of Film for his first TV role), with Helen McCrory, Billy Howle and Sarah Lancashire.
Max (Gere) owns one of the world's most influential media empires. Information is his trade: he holds dark secrets on everyone, and uses his power ruthlessly.
His son Caden is the youngest ever editor of Max's prized newspaper, The National Reporter. But Caden is crumbling under the pressure of his father's expectations, numbing his pain with drugs and excess.
When Caden suffers a massive stroke, he's left like a helpless child, battling to rebuild his life.
For Kathryn - Max's estranged wife - this is a second chance to be a mother to her son.
A respected former journalist from a wealthy British family, she's determined to reconnect with the sensitive boy Max ripped away from her.
As Max and Kathryn fight for the soul of their son, another fight is about to begin. Caden knows secrets that could bring Max's empire crashing down. And Caden's silence can't be bought.
This is a fight for family, a fight for truth - a fight for the heart of the nation.
The Producers
Channel: Mzansi Wethu (DStv 163)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Documentary Series, Music
A four-part documentary package about South African music producers who have had a huge impact on our music and artists.
The first episode features
Robbie Malinga, who is responsible for shaping the careers of artists like Brown Dash, Kabelo, Arthur Mafokate and Mzekezeke.
The second episode features songwriter, composer and producer
Gabi Le Roux, who has managed to stay relevant for many decades. He is most often recognised for producing Mandoza's Nkalakatha.
Episode 3 focuses on
Zwai Bala. As musical director, composer, arranger and singer, Bala has covered and excelled in many genres, from classical to jazz, hip-hop to gospel and dance to indigenous music.
The final episode features
Thabiso "Thaso" Tsotetsi, who is no stranger to making classic hits with top name artists such as Zola, Tuks, Morafe and HHP.
Emergence
Channel: M-Net City (DStv 115)
TX Time: 20h50
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Drama, Fantasy
Beyond explanation... beyond understanding... lies the truth.
This character-driven genre thriller follows a police chief who takes in a young child she finds near the site of a mysterious accident who has no memory of what has happened.
The investigation draws her into a conspiracy larger than she ever imagined, and the child's identity is at the centre of it all.
In the series premiere, Jo Evans (Allison Tolman, Fargo), a whip-smart police chief, plunges her family into a deepening mystery when she discovers a young girl the night of an inexplicable plane crash in the quiet northeastern town and decides to protect her.
Who is this child? Where did she come from and what does she know?
Benny Gallagher (Owain Yeoman, The Mentalist), an investigative reporter, intrudes into Jo's inquiry with his own take on the shadowy evidence.
Jo must balance her growing, protective relationship with Piper with her love and concern for her own family: her daughter, Mia; her father, Ed; and her ex-husband, Alex.
As the spellbinding mystery unfolds, the family's relationships are tested, unexplained events question reality, and everyone chases the shocking answers.
What happens when a regular family is gripped by unimaginable circumstances?
Chasing Life with Sanjay Gupta
Channel: BBC Earth (DStv 184)
TX Time: 19h00
Genre: Documentary Series
Journalist and practicing neurosurgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta goes on an immersive journey around the globe in search of the secrets to living better.
The six-part docuseries takes Gupta to Japan, India, Bolivia, Norway, Italy and Turkey to explore the unusual traditions and modern practices that constitute a healthy and meaningful life.
Japan
Sanjay goes to Japan to see how inhabitants of Tokyo deal with work induced stress, and to learn why people in Okinawa, the "Land of the Immortals," live such long lives.
India
Sanjay travels to India to find the connection between the reemergence of traditional Indian health techniques, Ayurveda and Yoga and his Western medical training.
Bolivia
Sanjay explores Bolivia to learn new perspectives and to seek answers about heart health, a topic that has directly affected him and his family.
Norway
Sanjay explores the dark, desolate and chilly regions of Northern Norway to find out how Norwegians have unlocked the secret to happiness.
Italy
Sanjay explores how a powerful tradition of food, family, and faith contribute to the surprising health of a country otherwise known for its vices.
Turkey
Sanjay travels to Turkey, a cultural crossroads where science and mysticism coexist, to find alternative ways of managing health and fighting disease.
Jamie and Jimmy's Food Fight Club 8
Channel: BBC Lifestyle (DStv 174)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Reality, Food
Jamie Oliver and Jimmy Doherty are back in their 'caff' at the end of Southend Pier for the new 10-part season, cooking up feasts for the weekend, helped by some very special guests who'll be getting a cookery lesson of a lifetime.
Guests include global treasure Mary Berry and award-winning duo Ant & Dec.
Across 10 episodes, Jamie and Jimmy track down the recipes that mean the most to their celebrity guests, inspired by some of the profound and special moments in their lives.
Jamie recreates these memorable dishes with his guests – and serves them to a packed café of hungry diners.