Is TV worth watching?

TV is not as it was several years ago. Remember the shows that would get the whole family into the living room between 7 and 8 pm? Remember the shows such as The A-Team, Airwolf, Major Dad, MacGyver and Telefun-Quiz?

South African broadcasters have lost the quality of its international content. Perhaps the revenue they generate is not enough for good, entertaining programming. Local TV is seriously suffering due to a lack imagination and creativity especially in the Reality TV genre. There are no new concepts it seems, which will bring the viewers coming back for more.

The first season of a local ‘rip off’ show seems to do relatively well – look at Survivor South Africa, Big Brother South Africa and The Apprentice – all did relatively well in the first season.

Series’ such as Lost, Desperate Housewives and Greys Anatomy all seem to do well, so much so that SABC is now airing the first season of Desperate Housewives as their rivals MNET did some years before them.

Locally produced documentaries, 3rd degree, Carte Blanche and Special Assignment, are worth watching - our investigative journalism still pulls in the few that are dedicated to local content.

I see a great opportunity for those adventurous enough to give us some new Reality TV, some new soapies and some new talk shows – locally ‘manufactured’ of course.