The news follows the public broadcaster’s reveal of Content Festival 2024 held on Wednesday, at Prison Break Market, Kyalami.
The brand-new content block for S3, features a hand-picked selection of award-winning dramas, factual entertainment and documentaries from BBC Studios’ award-winning catalogue.
BBC Primetime has been hand-crafted by BBC Studios, offering S3 viewers access to globally recognized content Monday-Friday.
BBC Primetime will be available to watch on S3 and SABC+ from May 2024.
During the media launch on Wednesday, the BBC brand could be seen inside the activation room, were guests tried various playing games, alongside celebrities, influencers, TV presenters, award winning Skeem Saam actors, and SABC executives.
To my surprise there were competitors from DStv headhonchos who also graced the event, that danced to the multiple award winner Sjava’s live performance, throughout the night.
The content block will include a range of shows including psychological crime thriller starring Idris Elba, Luther, intense medical drama, Critical, gripping factual motoring show, Top Gear (season 14-17), and romantic comedy, Cheaters. Documentary series, Louis Theroux: Forbidden America, exploring three controversial corners of American entertainment and culture.
Sane Zondi, Programming Manager at SABC says “This partnership with BBC Studios is born out of the need for us to fulfil our commitment in 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 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.”
The BBCs- Pierre Cloete, Commercial Director at BBC Studios in Africa says, “I am so excited to launch our first BBC branded block in Africa with SABC.
BBC Primetime will be hand-picked for S3 audiences, packed with a selection of incredible programming from our award-winning catalogue. From intense thrillers, crime dramas and inspiring documentaries, this marks our first block for free to air audiences in South Africa, giving 13 million homes access to BBC Studios’ shows.
I can’t wait for the 2024 launch,” says Cloete.
Both SABC 1 and 2 also made new changes to their programming.
Dichaba Phalatse- SABC head of Video Entertainment Marketing, says they’re extremely proud to unveil a feast of content from all channels, also noting the fest was a reflection of the hardwork, new zeil and energy at the SABC to gain audiences and continue building brands.
“The support from the advertising industry, media and broadcasting industry was incredible. Another talking from the SABC VE Content fest was experiential where attendees touched and felt our shows.
We’re excited to see the response from audience when the shows launch.”
Image (SABC presenter Nomalanga Shozi and Metro FMs Tbo Touch, recorded at the SABC Content festival 2024 launch held at Prison Break Market, Kyalami on Wednesday).
