Low Viewership is the real reason for Isidingo sacking - SABC

After the announcement that Isidingo would be taken off-air, South Africans were disappointed that a show which addressed the social ills with every episode, for 21 years, would end and no reasons given. Distraught fans even started a petition to try and save the show from getting pulled off screens. The ‘Save Isidingo‘ petition garnered 5 000 signatures, but initially was looking to attract at least 2 million. Getting that many signatures proved to be a struggle; considering the low viewership numbers the show has been getting. David Makubyane, the acting group executive of television, confirmed that low viewership numbers resulted in the decision that was taken.

“The decreasing viewership of the show is one of the reasons we decided to end it. This resulted in the show not bringing any money and eventually we are loosing out on a lot of money,” said Makubyane. After careful deliberation we decided to look at the numbers and we all took the same decision to keep the well performing shows,” he continued.

The viewers who indulge in the show will unfortunately watch the final episode in March 2020. Fans of the show have tried to come up with a solution for the issue of low viewership by suggesting that the SABC finds a better time slot as the sudser normally plays on weekdays at 7.30 PM – making eTV’s Scandal its competitor. Changing the time slot will not only attract more viewers, but it will also attract sponsors and advertisers – this according to concerned fans.

The broadcaster has been struggling financially; resulting in the shuffling and canning of shows. Shows such as Top Billing, Real Talk and Giyani: Land Of Blood have all been cancelled due to the financial struggles and the broadcasters inability to pay production companies.