SABC Responds to 7de Laan Petition, Aims to Diversify Programming

Friday, January 29, 2021 at 7:29 AM by Kelly Lippke

- SABC has released a statement in response to a petition that has been circulating regarding the programming of the TV show 7de Laan

- The petition itself was pushing against the network's decision to reduce the show's airing from 5 to 3 days a week

- SABC's statement clarified that its aim is to provide diverse programming and that the airtime needs to be available for other shows

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SABC has responded to a petition that has been circulating online regarding 7de Laan and its new programming slots.

7de Laan is one of the network's shows that has had its airing time slots limited. 7de Laan was moved from its usual airing of every weekday to a reduced number of only three days per week.

The petition circulating online is pushing against this decision and has fans campaigning for the show to remain in its usual slot, five days a week.

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SABC Responds to 7de Laan Petition, Aims to Diversify Programming — SABC responded to a petition regarding 7de Laan being limited to 3 days a week. Image: @officialsabc2
Source: Instagram

The network's response explained that the show's times had to be limited in order to make room for new content. SABC said that it planned on diversifying its drama offering and that new shows need opportunities to show off different South African stories.

The statement also said that the management was aware of the petition but was committed to fulfilling the mandate of showing content that represents the viewers watching it.

Celebrity and entertainment industry commentator Phil Mphela shared the news to his social media profile and added his thoughts on the scenario.

He wrote:

"REACTION: As one would expect, the SABC has stated the obvious. TV is a numbers game, if you are not watching the channel has to make changes. Basically, you want more episodes of Muvhango or 7de Laan? Watch. The introduction of Giyani and Die Sentrum to diversify makes sense"

Check out the statement and Phil Mphela's response below:

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Briefly.co.za reported on SABC's decision when it was announced and confirmed by the network as well as the shows it would be impacting.

SABC 2 is tightening its belt and cutting back on some of its most popular shows, reducing episodes from 5 per week down to just 3.

The two series which have fallen under the knife are 7de Laan, an Afrikaans soapie and Muvhango, a Venda series. This comes as the state broadcaster is cutting back on its wage bill by retrenching 303 employees according to News24.

7de Laan has been a weekly staple on South African television screens recently aired its 5000th episode. From the 5th of April, 7de Laan will air on Mondays, Tuesday and Wednesdays and Thursday and Friday's slot will be replaced by another Afrikaans drama called Die Sentrum.