According to reports seen by this platform, MultiChoice’s M-Net is in line to cancel the long-running “Idols”, – which started 21 years ago in 2002 on the M-Net channel!

The upcoming 19th season is being reported as the last for the reality singing competition, with Gavin Wratten as director and executive producer calling it – its “farewell season”, meaning that the public will have one last chance to enter and audition for the show.

“Idols” became a simulcast show on M-Net and Mzansi Magic in 2013 from the 9th season, and a Mzansi Magic-only show in 2016 from season 12 onwards after M-Net decided to migrate the show to open it up to a bigger DStv audience on lower-tiered packages.

The cancellation of the South African version of the Fremantle format follows a dramatic rating plunge for Idols in season 17.

According to media reports, Idols started its 17th season in the South African media markets in July 2021 with 1 018 607 viewers as the 4th most-watched show on all of DStv for the month; it plunged to 10th place on DStv’s most-watched list with 693 760 viewers at most in August 2021, shedding 32 per cent or a third of its viewers.

In October 2021, the show fell to a season-low of just 683 814 viewers and finished the season in November 2021 with 753 367 viewers at most.

Speaking about the show revamps attempt, Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice CEO for general entertainment, indicated that ahead of the 18th season last year, “To have such longevity in such a fast-changing industry is no small feat, and we’re proud to keep giving our viewers what they love. Evolution is one of the key components in staying power, and our new-look panel is part of that”.

Philiso added, “Adding new faces on the show was done, in part, to get the ratings back and attract new audiences. So, you would know that from around 2017, we started seeing some level of viewer fatigue in Idols. So, part of us refreshing the judges is also us trying to say that we’re going to give you guys a much bigger and better Idols”.

Following the conclusion of Idols’ 18th season, Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, said that “Idols is a brand that we believe in and is a brand that connects us to our youth in the country. It promotes nationalism and healthy competition while it gives young people a stage to showcase their talent”.