These are the hit shows from our catalogue that not only introduced fresh African stories, but also broke viewership records on their debut platforms in 2023!
If you haven’t already, make sure you check these out.
Shaka iLembe
The long-anticipated drama epic lived up to expectations by becoming MultiChoice’s best-performing drama series in its history. The show recorded 3.6 million viewers in its first week and reached the top spot on the DStv app in multiple African countries.
“That audiences have bought into this storytelling universe is deeply affirming because it aligns with our understanding of the market appetite for this type of content,” MultiChoice CEO for general entertainment, Nomsa Philiso.
The series scored a very impressive rating of 9.1 on the popular platform IMDb and also received rave reviews from multiple media outlets:
“The set and world building is out of this world. The CGI is on point. The actors are amazing. The dialogue is even more intriguing, storyline is on point. The casting is on point. As a Zulu, I am especially proud of this one...” – IMDb User Review
“An incredible warrior journey showcased in prestige TV perfection.” – News24
“Talk about goosebumps. That’s what I felt when I watched the first episode of Mzansi Magic’s hugely-anticipated historical drama, Shaka iLembe.” – IOL
Sibongile & The Dlaminis
Sibongile & The Dlaminis reached over 1 million viewers for the first time in 2023, becoming the most popular show in its prized time slot.
Incredibly, viewership increased by 341% from the year before in the same timeslot as the show managed to connect with its audience in new and exciting ways.
“The show is more than a telenovela, it's a blend of dreams, love, sacrifices, and complex family relationships. Rhythm World Productions has developed a story that’s both engaging and highly relatable, making Sibongile & The Dlaminis an important part of our viewers' daily lives.” Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net, Shirley Adonisi.
The show has also sparked several exciting and hilarious conversations on X:
If you enjoy Sibongile & The Dlaminis, we have other exciting telenovelas and soaps such as Legacy, Gqeberha: The Empire, My Brother’s Keeper and much more to check out on our official webpage.
Rosemary’s Hitlist
Following the success of true crime hits like Devilsdorp and Steinheist, Rosemary’s Hitlist reached new heights by breaking the record for the most first-day views on Showmax of any docuseries to launch on the platform, beating out not only its local predecessors, but also several international docuseries.
This true-crime documentary series about cop-turned-serial-killer Nomia Rosemary Ndlovu will have viewers hooked from the very first episode. It’s definitely a you-can’t-make-this-up, must-watch series.
“‘Rosemary’s Hitlist’ is a true-crime documentary that will make your blood run cold.” – IOL
“Easily the most gripping crime story since Devilsdorp…” – Cape Talk
Explore more of the top-class content in the MultiChoice Studios online catalogue. Contact our sales team at sales@multichoicestudios.com to find out how you can add these shows and more to your schedule.
