South African television is experiencing a boom in local reality and documentary programming, with fresh releases gaining attention across DStv, Showmax, and the History Channel.
Leading the pack is Dating #NoFilter South Africa (Season 2) a witty take on blind dating featuring celebrity commentators who roast participants’ awkward moments. The show returns this October with more comedic flair and unscripted drama.
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Also generating buzz is Great African Crimes with Mandy Wiener, which revisits some of the country’s most notorious criminal cases, blending historical research with investigative storytelling. Meanwhile, Alone: South Africa continues to attract survival enthusiasts as contestants battle extreme conditions for a cash prize.
Industry observers say the surge of reality formats reflects a growing appetite for authentic, locally rooted entertainment. DStv’s head of local content, Nomsa Philiso, noted that South Africans “love seeing themselves and their humour reflected on screen.”
With high audience engagement and sponsorship growth, networks are betting on reality and documentary hybrids as the future of South African entertainment.