In South Africa, M-Net has decided to cancel the Tshedza-produced Champions telenovela on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) after just one season. The final episode will air on January 31st.
Despite efforts from Tshedza Pictures, M-Net has opted not to renew the series for another season. Champions, set in a football club, has struggled to capture a substantial audience since its debut on February 5th.
The show, airing in a 19:00 timeslot, faced challenges due to minimal marketing efforts and lack of media attention. The telenovela failed to resonate with viewers despite featuring notable actors, including Jo-anne Reynecke, Sello Maake ka-Ncube, Tumisho Masha, and Kgomotso Christopher.
Champions continuously failed to make DStv’s list of top 30 most-watched shows each month, and efforts to increase its viewership were not implemented. Viewers struggled to connect with the storyline and characters, leading to dissatisfaction.
M-Net’s Mzansi Magic division now focuses on developing new show concepts and reevaluating its telenovela content. Shirley Adonisi, M-Net’s director for local entertainment channels, thanked the cast, Tshedza Pictures, sponsors, and advertisers for their support while emphasising the network’s commitment to staying current with television trends.
As they move forward, Mzansi Magic is exploring new show formats beyond telenovelas and refining existing programs to ensure an engaging prime-time lineup for viewers.
