This comes as Generations executive producer Mfundi Vundla blasted the SABC at the media launch of Generations’ new social media networking website for not having done enough to capitalise on the soap’s ongoing popularity as a primetime TV property shown on weekdays at 20:00 on SABC1.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng, the acting chief operating officer (COO) at the SABC, announced at the event that Generations, which includes the cast, will now be getting renewal contracts from the SABC in three year increments instead of the annual renewal process.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng also warned the Generations stars to behave. “If you’re famous, live responsibly,” he said.
Mfundi Vundla is meanwhile not happy with the lack of SABC initiative to make more of Generations and the show’s pulling power on SABC1. He is criticising the SABC for the public broadcaster’s lack of imagination when it comes to leveraging the powerhouse soap’s pulling power for the SABC1 schedule and other TV properties as well as for the show itself. “They haven’t led with shows,” says Mfundi Vundla.
The www.generations.co.za website is being relaunched to attract fans and viewers beyond the daily Generations episode. Mfundi Vundla says Generations’ bigger social media and cyber presence is part of greater social television engagement with the audience.
Generations viewers can now get updates from the cast, interact with characters, download photos, win a day on set and even offer story ideas. It’s being done as online and smartphone use in South Africa is growing and Generations expands its online presence beyond the traditional TV screen.
