By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
BBC Studios and South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) have announced a new partnership, which will bring a new content block called BBC Primetime to SABC 3 (S3).
The broadcasters said, BBC Primetime was hand-crafted by BBC Studios to offer S3 viewers access to globally recognised-content.
“The content block will include a range of shows including a psychological crime thriller starring Idris Elba, Luther, intense medical drama, Critical, gripping factual motoring show, Top Gear (season 14-17), and romantic comedy, Cheaters,” the broadcasters said.
The broadcasters said, the block will air on the channel weeknights between 21h00 and 23h00 and on SABC+ from May 2024.
“Documentary series Louis Theroux: Forbidden America, exploring three controversial corners of American entertainment and culture, will also be available to watch from launch.”
BBC Studios in Africa commercial director Pierre Cloete said the broadcaster was excited to launch the first BBC-branded block in Africa with SABC.
The offering will be BBC Studios’ widest-reaching branded service in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
“This marks our first block for free-to-air audiences in South Africa, giving 13 million homes access to BBC Studios’ shows,” Cloete said.
SABC programming manager Sane Zondi said the partnership with BBC Studios was born out of the need for the public broadcaster to fulfil its commitment to delivering high-quality international content to its 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,” said Zondi.
“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.”