While the country is in lockdown and battling with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the television industry is also faced with challenges.
Currently, production has been suspended for most-watched SABC soapies such as Generations, Skeem Saam, Uzalo and Muvhango amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
While most soapies have episodes that are shot upfront for scheduling, it is not certain if those will be enough to air until the storm is over.
A report by Sunday World reveals that most soapies have enough episodes to last till end of April (when the current lockdown ends). However, should the lockdown be extended, the SABC might have to serve viewers with repeats on all major soapies.
The report also reveals that SABC plans to apply for permission to let a number of productions resume with work.
“The organisation has sufficient material on its content offering for soapies which will cover the duration of the lockdown period. The organisation has also ensured that there are measures in place to ensure business continuity during this period, should there be another extension. These measures include repeats of select popular soapies, crucial engagements with relevant stakeholders concerning the organisation’s delivery on the set local content quotas as well as possible essential service permission for certain productions.” SABC spokeswoman, Mmoni Seapolelo said to Sunday World.
