First Contact: An Alien Encounter
Channel: BBC Earth (DStv 184)
TX Time: 20h00
Genre: Documentary, Sci-Fi, Docu-Drama
Drama-documentary telling the gripping story of an encounter with an alien object travelling through the solar system.
Many leading scientists believe there's a genuine possibility that the first evidence of extra-terrestrial life may soon be detected.
First Contact: An Alien Encounter offers up an exploration of what might happen in this unprecedented scenario.
Blending cutting-edge scientific fact with fictional podcasts, media feeds and international news programmes, this 21st-century War of the Worlds tells the dramatic story of an encounter with an alien object travelling through the solar system over the course of 12 days and explores how the world could respond.
This feature documentary series boldly breaks new ground on the subject by combining a scientifically informed fictional narrative with interviews featuring some of the world's foremost scientists and thinkers.
These include Dr Jill Tarter, the inspiration for Jodie Foster's character in the film Contact.
This programme not only explores what might be out there in the universe, but also offers a new perspective on humanity here on Earth.
Australian Survivor: Blood v Water
Channel: M-Net (DStv 101)
TX Time: 17h05
Genre: Reality Competition
After Hayley Leake was crowned Sole Survivor in 2021, a whole new batch of castaways will attempt to Outwit, Outplay and Outlast... but this season comes with an almighty twist.
In Blood v Water, players will be competing as pairs, bound by blood.
It's a double-edged sword to play with someone you trust.
Relationships will be tested, bonds will be broken, and new pacts will be forged as these castaways are pushed to their limits playing in the extreme conditions of the Aussie Outback.
Think siblings, married couples, in-laws, twins or cousins fighting the elements together, but at the end of the day, there can only be one Sole Survivor.
So, do these castaways have what it takes to blindside their own blood?
The cast includes two-time American Survivor winner Sandra Diaz-Twine, former NRL player Michael Crocker, former MasterChef Australia contestant Khanh Ong and former Australian Survivor contestants Andy Meldrum, Mark Wales and Samantha Gash.
Professor T 2
Channel: BritBox
TX Time: 00h01
Genre: Drama, Police Procedural
Darkly comic crime drama set in the university town of Cambridge.
Professor T stars Ben Miller (Bridgerton, Death in Paradise) as university academic Jasper Tempest, a master criminologist and amateur sleuth who solves a succession of quirky and baffling cases.
Season 2 sees the brilliant but troubled Professor Tempest continue to help solve unusual crimes, rekindling his relationship with Chief Inspector Christina Brand.
Meanwhile, Professor T's protégé, Inspector Lisa Donckers, begins to regret prioritising her career over her budding relationship with police partner Dan Winters.
In the Season 2 premiere, "Ring of Fire": When a student is left badly burnt and in a coma after a house fire, the CID team overcome their reluctance to call in Professor T as it emerges that the fire was intentional.
The Talk 12
Channel: 1Magic (DStv 103)
TX Time: 18h00
Genre: Talk Show
A variety of co-hosts discuss the day's latest headlines while usually tying in the show's theme of motherhood or at least parenthood, giving their opinions "through the eyes of mothers".
The season premiere will take the energy and fun from inside Stage 16 to the tree-lined neighbourhood street for an epic end-of-summer block party.
The episode features celebrity guests including actor and comedian Lil Rel Howery, who will discuss his summer films Free Guy and Vacation Friends; and rock chart topper Daughtry, who will perform live as the show's house band throughout the premiere episode.
Also, celebrity chef Carla Hall will grill and serve up delicious street food, while visual artist Bianca Ornelas designs signature sidewalk chalk art.
To enjoy the festivities, The Talk will welcome an in-person audience for the first time since March 2020, filled with frontline and essential workers who will receive numerous exclusive giveaways, including round-trip airfare and a luxury hotel getaway, and share in an hour filled with live music, outdoor games and exclusive surprises.
The Talk will also introduce a new look, with the addition of augmented reality graphics.
The set has been outfitted with hundreds of augmented reality sensors, which will completely transform segments by creating a virtual world combining practical and graphic elements.
The Elephant Whisperers
Channel: Netflix South Africa
TX Time: 10h00
Genre: Wildlife, Nature, Documentary
Bomman and Bellie, a couple in south India, devote their lives to caring for an orphaned baby elephant named Raghu, forging a family like no other.
The Rookie 4
Channel: M-Net (DStv 101)
TX Time: 19h00
Genre: Drama, Police Procedural
John Nolan, the oldest rookie in the LAPD, has used his life experience, determination and sense of humour to keep up with rookies 20 years his junior.
Nolan is continually put to the test by a host of new challenges, romantic relationships and deadly criminals, as he looks to figure out what kind of cop he ultimately wants to be.
In the Season 4 premiere, "Life and Death": Officer Nolan and the entire team race against the clock to locate Lopez after she is kidnapped on her wedding day, not only to save her life but her unborn child's.