TVSA can confirm that the Mzansi Magic/Wethu soapie Zabalaza has been cancelled and will breathe its last breath in April next year.
No official reason has been given but it's clear that it's because of its struggle in the ratings.
The soapie consistently finds itself at the bottom of the pile on Mzansi Magic when it comes to the numbers. If you follow
TVSA's TAMS coverage you'll know that it is always at the bottom of the channel's Top 10s - if it makes it.
Most recently it dropped off the list completely.
Over the past two months, its average weekly viewership on Mzansi Magic has ranged between 115 000 and 180 000 viewers, hundreds of thousands less than for its sister soapie isiBaya.
Its demise opens up the 21h00 timeslot for something new which has the challenge of getting noticed in the increasingly competitive timeslot. It currently faces Muvhango (the #4 show in the country) as well as e.tv's Matatiele and Umlilo, which have garnered themselves a loyal following.
There's no word from Mzansi Magic on what will replace it but whatever it is, it needs to be phresh if it hopes to attract eyeballs.
What's their best move?
We recommend that they stay away from another soapie or telenovela and fill the slot with a different show each night for viewers who don't want to commit to a nightly series.