We take a look at the most popular and successful shows from MultiChoice in the past year.
MultiChoice Studios is the content sales and distribution arm for the MultiChoice Group. The division manages a vast range of categories and genres in the catalogue and brings the best of African programming to the world.
In 2021 MultiChoice has again delivered multiple hit new shows alongside their ever popular telenovelas, many of which have renewed seasons and have won multiple South African awards this year.
First to highlight is the new telenovela The Wife (inspired by Dudu Busani-Dube’s books Hlomu The Wife and its sequels) which has seen an unmatched audience reception since its release in November. The Wife centres around the lives of the eight Zulu brothers and from the outset you are enticed by the impending romantic complications that drive this story. Each episode is a gripping 23 minutes of telenovela at its best.
“We give it a 10/10. South Africa has been bringing out world-class entertainment in the last ten years. The Wife easily excites and leaves you wanting more after the episode ends.” Ling Shepherd, The Daily Vox
The shocking crime documentary Devilsdorp, a four-part docuseries that focuses on the grizzly, bloody and outrageous murders of 11 people over four years, took the crime genre by storm in 2021 with viewership numbers that were testament to its incredible reception.
“… it is both mesmerising and revolting. I have a feeling that this Showmax original is going to be a South African best seller.” Megan Choritz, Weekend Special
Both these titles broke streaming records on the South African online subscription video on demand service Showmax (add link to Showmax URL) in addition to receiving rave reviews on social media and from multiple critics. Make sure you watch the screeners on our site.
“2021 has been an exciting year for MultiChoice Studios with demand for our content on an upward trajectory,” says Mauro Black, Director: Content Sales and Distribution for MultiChoice Studios. “Our proudly African stories are travelling more than ever with titles including Inconceivable, Waterfront, Grassroots and Still Breathing licensed to broadcasters in the USA. Additional new territories such as the Netherlands and Australia will have audiences captivated by our shows such as the eight-part thriller Dam and the spine-chilling docuseries Devilsdorp.”
In the television drama genre, the ones to watch are Lioness, Mzali Wami, and Nêrens, Noord-Kaap which all received an overwhelmingly positive reception from viewers and critics alike and we’re expecting they will make a showing in the 2022 South African awards season.
Reyka was a major co-production this year between M-Net and Fremantle featuring Kim Engelbrecht (Dominion, Bulletproof, The Flash and Raised by Wolves), Iain Glen (Game of Thrones, Downton Abbey), Anna-Mart van der Merwe (Kanarie, Poppie Nongena), Hamilton Dhlamini (Isithembiso), Kenneth Nkosi (District 9, Tsotsi) and Desmond Dube (Impilo: The Scam).
It follows a flawed but brilliant criminal profiler, Reyka Gama (Kim Engelbrecht). Haunted by her past, she investigates a string of brutal murders committed by a serial killer in the sugar cane fields of KwaZulu-Natal.
“Reyka is a gritty offering that meanders into a world that’s dark and dangerous,” Debashine Thangevelo, IOL.co.za
The soap opera and telenovela genres continue to dominate viewer statistics across African broadcasters. When it comes to market popularity, Gomora (2021 SAFTA for Most Popular Telenovela) is the most successful South African show of 2021. This thrilling telenovela took the top spot early in 2021 and remained there throughout the entire year. It also renewed for season 2 much to the delight of its plethora of fans.
Other most watched top telenovela’s to renew seasons in 2021 included The Queen (Season 6) and the international Emmy-nominated hit telenovela The River (Season 4 and has confirmed Season 5 has begun shooting for release in 2022). Legacy (Season 2) was also renewed in 2021 and continues to thrill the audience with its high production value and gripping storyline. The long-running show Selina (Season 6) was also renewed for a new season and remains one of the most popular telenovelas in Africa.
“France and French speaking countries are no strangers to our content and have enjoyed popular shows, The River and Housekeepers, to mention a few for several years now,” says Black. “This year our buyers and distributors have increased their acquisitions and soon hit shows including Legacy, a telenovela that premiered to South African audiences in 2021, and the run-away successful drama The Wife, will be dubbed and available to these local audiences.”
In the drama genre a must-watch title is eHostela (SAFTA winner for Best Actor – TV Drama) which was the most-watched TV drama in 2021. Uthando Nesthembu was the most popular reality show of 2021 while Our Perfect Wedding’s (Kenyan and Zambian versions also available) latest season remained a fan favourite with viewers in 2021.
MultiChoice continued to offer a platform to some of South Africa’s best talent both in front of and behind the camera. The River star Sindi Dlathu was once again one of the standout talents in 2021. She won the SAFTA for Best Actress – Telenovela this year and has cemented her place as one of South Africa’s favourite leading ladies. Legendary actor Frank Opperman delivered one of his best performances to date as the patriarch in the heart-breaking new drama Nêrens, Noord-Kaap while rising star Mbalenhle Mavimbela delivers an eye-catching performance in the new telenovela, The Wife to resounding positive reviews.
Director Jonny Barbuzano (Five SAFTAs for Best Achievement in Directing) had another excellent year with his involvement in hit shows like The River and Still Breathing. Catharine Cooke (The Girl from St. Agnes, iNumber Number) who has taken home awards for Best Achievement in Directing three years in a row was at the helm of the hit new show Reyka alongside Zee Ntuli. We also want to mention multiple SAFTA nominee and winner Mandla Ngcongwane, popularly known as Mandla N. (eHostela, multiple Lokshin movies and director/creator of the hit prison drama Lockdown) who has made serious waves this year after taking the reins for the popular new drama, DiepCity.
During the 2021 South African awards season The River and Legacy were the big winners at this year’s South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) with six awards each including Best Telenovela going to Legacy. Griekwastad was awarded Best Feature Film while the veteran director, Jozua Malherbe, won Best Achievement in Directing – Feature Film. Lastly Still Breathing also impressed at its SAFTAs debut with Kate Liquorish and Brandon Auret winning Best Actress and Best Actor – TV Drama respectively.
“With 65 665 hours in our content library, and growing thanks to ongoing investment from the group in local productions, we are expecting an even bigger and more exciting 2022,” says Black.
With this much incredible talent and so many award winning titles, MultiChoice continues to offer the best African programming to the world. You will definitely find something enticing to suit any schedule and audience amongst the co-produced and commissioned titles in our library. To explore the full MultiChoice Studios catalogue as a buyer, register on the site to get access to all our screeners.
As Africa’s undisputed leader in video entertainment we remain the largest producer of authentic African storytelling. If you have any queries about our incredible offering, register on our site or email Mauro.Black@dstvmedia.com.
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