BBC Studios and SABC launch BBC Primetime in South Africa

BBC Studios and South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) have launched a new content block, BBC Primetime, available on free-to-air channel S3.

Top Gear (Source: BBC)

BBC Primetime will feature a curated selection of dramas, factual entertainment and documentaries from the BBC Studios’ catalogue. Titles include Idris Elba’s Luther, medical drama, Critical, factual motoring show, Top Gear, romantic comedy, Cheaters, and documentary series, Louis Theroux: Forbidden America. 

It will be available to watch on weeknights on S3 and on SABC+ from May, which according to the group is BBC Studios’ widest reaching branded service in EMEA.

 Pierre Cloete, the commercial director at BBC Studios in Africa said: “I am so excited to launch our first BBC branded block in Africa with SABC. BBCPrimetime will be hand-picked for S3 audiences, packed with a selection of incredible programming from our award-winning catalogue. From intense thrillers, crime dramas and inspiring documentaries, this marks our first block for free to air audiences in South Africa, giving 13 million homes access to BBC Studios’ shows. I can’t wait for the 2024 launch.”

Sane Zondi, programming manager at SABC said: “This partnership with BBCStudios is born out of the need for us to fulfil our commitment in delivering high quality international content to our viewers. We are excited to have access to a vast catalogue from the BBC, and the unlimited world-class entertainment our viewers will be able to enjoy through BBC Primetime on S3.  The deal allows us to bring back some of the iconic BBC titles to our viewers which formed weekly habitual viewing, with Top Gear being the most notable one. I know our viewers will be delighted for the return to their screens and I know it will form their weekly engagements with us. There is a range of new content which we are keen for our audiences watch. We look forward to seeing some of the sentiments and reactions across our social media platforms on this great new era on our channel.”