BBC Studios has teamed up with the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) to introduce new content block called BBC Primetime. BBC Primetime promising to transform South African television. This collaboration will offer viewers a hand-picked selection of top-tier dramas, factual entertainment, and documentaries from the esteemed BBC Studios catalogue.
A New Era of Primetime Entertainment
Scheduled to debut in May 2024, BBC Primetime will occupy the weeknight slots from 21:00 to 23:00 on SABC 3 (S3), expanding its reach to SABC+. This marks BBC Studios’ most extensive branded service in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa), ensuring an unmatched entertainment experience for millions of South African households.
A Stellar Line-up of Engaging Content
Among the line-up are acclaimed titles such as the psychological crime thriller Luther, featuring the charismatic Idris Elba, the gripping medical drama Critical, the adrenaline-fueled motoring show Top Gear (seasons 14-17), and the delightful romantic comedy Cheaters. Additionally, viewers can follow the compelling documentary series Louis Theroux: Forbidden America, exploring various facets of American entertainment and culture.
Excitement from BBC Studio
Pierre Cloete, the Commercial Director at BBC Studios in Africa, expressed his excitement for this ground-breaking venture, stating, “I am thrilled to unveil our inaugural BBC branded block in Africa in collaboration with SABC. BBC Primetime will cater to S3 audiences with a meticulously curated selection of extraordinary programming from our acclaimed catalogue. From gripping thrillers to poignant documentaries, this marks our debut for free-to-air audiences in South Africa, granting access to BBC Studios’ stellar shows to 13 million homes. I eagerly anticipate the 2024 launch”.
Anticipation from SABC
Echoing Cloete’s sentiments, Sane Zondi, Programming Manager at SABC, highlighted the significance of this partnership in delivering premium international content to viewers.
“This partnership with BBC Studios is born out of the need for us to fulfil our commitment to delivering high-quality international content to our viewers. We are excited to have access to a vast catalogue from the BBC, and the unlimited world-class entertainment our viewers will be able to enjoy through BBC Primetime on S3. The deal allows us to bring back some of the iconic BBC titles to our viewers which formed weekly habitual viewing, with Top Gear being the most notable one. I know our viewers will be delighted for the return to their screens and I know it will form their weekly engagements with us. There is a range of new content which we are keen for our audiences to watch. We look forward to seeing some of the sentiments and reactions across our social media platforms on this great new era on our channel”.
As the countdown to May 2024 begins, the collaboration between BBC Studios and SABC highlights a new era in South African television. It is also offering redefining primetime entertainment in the region.
