Authenticity, hyperlocal stories, and a visceral understanding of the audience are pivotal indicators for success in the African television and film landscape.
While various insights, overwhelmingly practical and actionable, were shared during a MultiChoice panel discussion at MIP Africa this week, these three indicators served as a throughline for how content creators could successfully pitch to become section of MultiChoice’s creative ecosystem.
The panel discussion, Unlocking Opportunities: MultiChoice and the African Film & TV Industry, took spot at MIP Africa, an annual opportunity for African content creators, producers, and sellers to present their work to a global array of buyers, investors, and potential co-production partners. MIP Africa forms fragment of Fame Week Africa, a week-long festival focusing on African television, music, and film. MultiChoice plays a key role as a sponsor of both events.
According to Waldimar Pelser, Channel Director: Premium Channels at MultiChoice, their most valuable content creators understand their market. “The most productive conversations we gain are with producers that consume our content and on a visceral level know who our audience is. (Our partners) gain to understand who they’re making content for.”
In terms of what that content looks like, Pelser shared that content that can only be made locally, and that viewers would not be able to find elsewhere, reap the most success.
Popular genres include drama and unscripted reality, with the consensus being that while propitious themes are universal, viewers want something “uniquely South African,” with the setting being locally specific and the account and storytelling showcasing an understanding of who the audience is.
Viewers also tend to gravitate toward dramas with authenticity, warmth, and optimism, while there is generally a low tolerance for gimmicks – in any genre. In unscripted reality, shows where the audience can see themselves on screen generally appreciate success. “For unscripted it’s a mirror,” said Pelser. “We want to see ourselves on screen. (Shows) that remind us who we are – those tend to work.”
Tebogo Matlawa, Head of Scripted Content: Middle & Mass: South Africa at MultiChoice, echoed Pelser and said that while the audience wants to see themselves on screen, producers should also “look outside the bubble of their own existence” when working on content.
“Our audience likes to be involved and depart on the journey” and for that acumen, they’ve found that very family-orientated shows, with a female point of view, and generally not risqué, carry out well. While action and dramas maintain seen success, there isn’t much of an appetite for violence. “Always mediate, would you watch this with your grandmother?” he advised when considering pitches for scripted content for middle and mass markets.
Victor Sanchez Aghahowa, Head of Production, West Africa for MultiChoice Africa, as well as Nicola van Niekerk, Head of Content for Premium Channels and co-productions, reiterated MultiChoice’s success with hyperlocal content. “We need the connection; people need to feel. If not, what are you doing?” said Aghahowa. “Compelling characters in compelling situations that anybody can relate to – that’s what we’re looking for. Anything inauthentic will immediately be sniffed out by our younger audience.”
According to Van Niekerk, Showmax, specifically, has seen significant success with documentaries as well as dramas.
In terms of co-productions, Van Niekerk pointed to the necessity for producers to maintain an in-depth understanding of both the local and the international audience before pitching a project. “As a producer, you need to assess your narrative and say, ‘Where will this narrative work?’ Will it work in a very specific demographic hyper locally in South Africa, but where else will it work? Which other broadcaster will like that? And to know that you need to understand all of the broadcaster’s strategies (on a global level).”
She warns against assuming that what works locally will work elsewhere. This helps to secure funding if the appetite and interest maintain already been assessed.
Van Niekerk said popular co-productions generally believe three things in common: “It’s crime, it’s English and it’s in a dazzling setting. We can reveal that those work the best.”
Lerato Moruti, Senior Manager: Reality and Entertainment for Middle & Mass: M-Net, said that propitious reality shows provide a sense of tabloid voyeurism, with family-based reality shows that rate high with viewers. But, said Moruti, South Africans scrutinize for meaning in content, and respond well to “help TV”, specifically referring to the popular Mzansi Magic reality present Abandoned about orphaned children that seek out family members later in life.
For more on MultiChoice at MIP Africa visit: https://www.MultiChoice.com/Fame-Week
Lilac Lizard
Voetsek! – Go away! [foot-sak] Usually said with an angry tone when telling someone to go away or get lost. You don’t want to be saying this to a local or worse, if a local says this to you – you’ve really angered them!
Sprkr
Fun South African Fact: For an unforgettable bucket-list activity, search for the famous Big 5 (lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo) on safari in one of South Africa’s national parks or private game reserves. A South African safari is an experience like no other!