Popular SABC3 soapie Isidingo has, for the very first in its 14-year OnTV! history, hit a 2 million mark in AR figures. Congratulations to the cast and crew. We are hoping the good work will continue unabated.
TV critics, prestigious awards judges, TVSA bloggers and many other Isidingo viewers have over the years, insisted Isidingo is the best soapie on South African TV by far and large. However, defensive avid viewers of other shows disagreed pointing out that the show wasn’t attracting a significant number of viewers.
Fast forward to 26 July 2012,
latest viewership figures are out and show that the show now has 2 037 000 viewers, making it the most watched show on the channel.
In the period preceding to the
New Isidingo family on the horizon in 2011, the show was only attracting a respectable 900 000 viewers despite its gripping and true to life story lines. Whether the redundant feud between Barker Haines and Cherel de Villiers-Haines-Kumar-Le-Roux-Holmes could be attributed to low figures, it isn’t clear. However, since the introduction of the abrasive and cunning Sibekos on the show, the soapie increased its viewership to 1.3 million until it held a steady figure of just over 1.5 million.
It appears the show is now taking things to another level and the recent storyline of the mighty and stinking rich Sibekos going after Bianca and Ma-Agnes is really resonating so well with viewers. Prior to that, I was tempted to write an opinion piece telling Isidingo exactly where to get off with regards to the so called war between Cherel and Barker. I never got the time to do so and if they ever bore us with it again, I shall be doing so, unless otherwise.
Since this is breaking news, Isidingo hasn’t said anything as yet and I am hoping magazines will be interviewing the show’s producers about this remarkable milestone which is really overdue. If not, the magazines can join Nonhle Thema at a corner somewhere over there and I shall personally get a comment from the show about this achievement.
Early last year,
SABC3 was ready to banish Isidingo to a graveyard 18:00 timeslot until I wrote an
Open Letter to SABC 3: Soapie Blunders putting facts to them and threatening a picketing at the studios where Isidingo is being filmed. In the letter, I demanded the show be aired at 19:30. TVSA bloggers also came out and reiterated their disgust against the decision. Six months later, the channel announced it was permanently moving the show to 19:30 time slot as per our demand. A few days after the announcement, the show held a mini celebratory party somewhere in Joburg, didn’t invite us, despite the move being prompted by my open letter as reliable sources informed me the letter was discussed in a high level meeting at Henley Studios.
Despite the show being aired at 19:30, it failed to increase its ARs dramatically. However, 13 months since the introduction of top class actors and a stinking rich family to the show, the dividends are now starting to show as the 2 million mark is proof enough viewers are really rewarding the show for its hard work which we see in its storylines. TVSA blogger Tzhavile couldn’t contain himself upon realising Isidingo is now reaching a major milestone. “wow. isidingo finally hit the 2 million mark” he commented on the Week 28: 9 - 15 July ARs. Wesbuw shed more light on the matter. “@TZHAVILLE they are back and their move has been gud. Very good storylines also,” he commented.
Last month, the show suffered a major blow as
its studios burnt down and reportedly had to be accommodated in Generations and Muvhango studios. However, this hasn’t stopped viewers from watching their most favourite soapie. In fact, the show received more viewers.
The 2 million mark further means the show has now set the bar very high and it will need to maintain it accordingly. Knowing Isidingo, I trust they will do as such. This also further means the channel can now see more revenue in advertising moolah.
I personally would like to congratulate Isidingo and we wish it will not rest on its laurels. Well done Isidingo. We are always by your side, provided you unapologetically dish out best story lines ever seen on SA television.