The 2018 e.tv summer screening was a glitzy red carpet affair held at Monte Casino in Fourways, Johannesburg. Celebrities, TV and film stars, and industry heavyweights were treated to a sneak peak of what’s to come from the channel for the next year.
The stars of the international soapie Days of our Lives – which recently moved from SABC3 to its new home on e.tv – welcomed the audience to the showcase. Actors and actresses of the soapie gave viewers some insight to their characters and expressed their excitement in now being part of the e.tv family.
Viewers were also treated to an exclusive screening of some of the upcoming international action and drama television series to the channel. These include MacGyver, Lethal Weapon as well as the Greenleaf series which will be aired in South Africa for the very first time on the free-to-air channel.
Managing director, Marlon Davids had only positive and encouraging words to say about his e.tv team and their commitment in pushing forward the vision for the brand. Furthermore, he gave a round-up of recent changes which took place on the various channels as well as reflecting upon business ventures and events that were brought to life this year.
Snippets of e.tv’s much-loved local shows were shown in between numerous interviews and discussions that were given by various heads within the channel group.
An update was given on the free-to-view satellite TV platform, OpenView HD, which was launched in 2013. Davids shed some light on the brand’s objective to reach more audiences which resulted in OpenView HD introducing four of its channels to the DStv platform.
“We continue to build on what we already established in terms of audiences and we will continue to improve on our current channel offerings,” Davids affirmed.
Davids also pointed out that there have been several changes happening in the market and that it is important to them to react to their viewers’ sentiments and implement change when necessary.
However it was e.tv’s general manager in group content services, Ziyanda Mngomezulu’s interview which gave much insight in terms of the local reach and growth of the channel.
Local trends
Mngomezulu shared that in order to be successful e.tv’s local content is guided by both international references as well as local societal issues. “Family is popular”, said Mngomezulu, and a series that looks at conflicts that arise between families that are competing for something are some of the stories viewers can expect to look forward to.
“Restoration of a pride in culture has also made a great comeback”, she added. This has resulted in more money being spent on shows that showcase our national cultures.
“In 2018 our viewers can look forward to exciting local content that’s coming onto our screens. We are mirroring what’s happening in society where people are having issues around money… as well as the theme of corruption.”
Growth of the industry
Mngomezulu also took a moment to talk about the positive contribution that the channel has made in bringing local talent onto the small screen, as well as in building careers in entertainment. “We have seen young children who have come onto our screens and have started their career with e.tv, and have grown up to be the people that they are today, and now work across channels as well.”
“We have seen production companies that have started on e.tv, where they were given a chance to play their very first production, and they now are the businessmen and businesswomen who are running the industry and creating the best of local TV,” she concluded.
