Generations returns, Skeem Saam booted out

Less than two weeks to go and all hands are on deck for the return of the ‘all new’ Generations.

Producers of the popular soapie have their hands full juggling between auditions and recording new episodes for the much anticipated return of the revamped storyline.
The new Generations will see some of the old timers which includes Rapulane Seiphemo (Tau Mogale), and Connie Ferguson (Karabo Moroka) returning to save the day.
Generations ran out of shows in September after 16 main actors were fired following a wage dispute - and had to replaced by Skeem Saam.


SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said that they are happy about the return of the show.
“We can confirm that Generations is coming back to our screens on the 1st of December.
“Look it’s not a matter of a relief. There was a contractual obligation between SABC and MMSV Production to have Generations at 8pm and now that will be happening,” said Kganyago.

He said that they were not happy with the fact that Generations had to run out of recorded show and subsequently be pulled off air but they understood the reasons that were given by the production company and were therefore compelled to agree to pull it out of air since there was nothing to show from Generations.
Asked if viewers will not be confused by the frivolous changing of shows during the 8pm slot, Kganyago said he does not believe they would, because they knew that Skeem Saam will only play at 8pm for just two months.

“When we announced that Generations will be going off air, we did announce that it will be replaced by Skeem Saam until end of November and that Generations will return to its usual slot from the 1st of December,” explained Kganyago.

Skeem Saam has managed to surpass the 7.4 million viewers Generations had in just the first week after managing to attract 7.7 million viewers.
Kganyago said that the increase in viewership on Skeem Saam was inevitable because people are accustomed to watching SABC 1 at 8pm.

“By 8 o’clock people are done whatever they're doing for the day and are able to sit and watch tv. So the increase in viewership is determined by the prime slot itself as well as the storyline.
“Skeem Saam’s storyline did not change, only the time slot changed and it was averaging 3.5 million viewers when it played at 6:30pm. It increased a lot when it was moved to 8pm. It is now averaging between 7 and 8 million,” he said.