2021 has come with a lot of TV changes. SABC 2 in particular Muvhango will see the brunt of a lot of changes. The SABC 2 soapie’s airing days have been cut as it will now air on Monday to Wednesday at 9pm as reported.
Taking its Thursday and Friday 9pm slot is Giyani, Mzansi’s first Xitsonga telenovela. The telenovela which is produced by Tshedza Pictures, written by Phathutshedzo Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon has been renewed and is returning for a second season.
Muvhango has without doubt been struggling to bag a viewership to sustain it for 5 days. While the show peaked at 5 million viewers at the beginning of lockdown, by December it had lost almost half of those viewers. The high turnover of actors and actresses has been a contributor to the show’s dwindling viewership. It does come as a relief to many that the show is not being canceled as earlier speculated. However, the show’s producers have done their level best to keep the show going. Earlier this month, Sho Madjozi graced our screens on the soapie. New actors and actresses have been added to give the show life and the plot has seen very unpredictable twists and turns.
Muvhango airing days cut
The show has become a platform to launch Mzansi’s talent. The producer highlighted the show’s direction in boosting young talent. He said, “2021 will also mark the debut of a number of fresh faced newbies hoping to carve a niche for themselves in the industry. We want Muvhango to be a platform of endless opportunity for young and ambitious actors, ”. While we might not get to see the soapie as often as we want to, we can definitely expect to see more talent.
Muvhango is not the only soapie that was shaken by dwindling viewership. While Muvhango’s days are only being cut, Mzansi Magic’s Isibaya is due for cancelation in the second half of the year. Replacing it is a new series, Diepsloot which will star, Uzalo’s Thandeka Dawn King.
Trick or treat? Whichever way it goes, one can’t help but wonder what other TV surprises 2021 has up it’s sleeves.
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