Portia Hlubi is the founder of Milk & Honey TV, the company that produced shows such as “LaSizwe” and “Celebrity Mystery Box.”
Reality shows can be over-the-top, uncomfortable, and unrealistic. However, the genre is widely loved by people as diverse as the types of reality shows.
“The reality TV genre is growing rapidly in this country,” says reality TV producer Portia Hruby. citizen.
Television channels Moja Love and Mzansi Magic have been on the air for less than 20 years, but it's hard to see how they would have gained viewership without their reality shows.
“I think we're really finding our voice and when we see people who look like us on TV and we see people who look like us and we love ourselves… , you don't want to start trying new things. That's what reality shows are supposed to do, which is reflect society back to us, and I think we're doing a good job of that,” Hlubi said. Ta.
Hlubi started his career as a commissioning editor, but built a reputation as one of the influential figures in the reality TV genre.
Hruby, who served as the director for the second season. real housewives of johannesburgHe is the inventor and director of. uTando Nesthembu's 4th season.
she's behind too Lasizwe and celebrity mystery box.
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taste of south africa
South African viewers seem to be drawn to reality shows that focus on relationships and family relationships.
The popularity of programs such as Ranaka family and rose family shows this clearly, but a program like date with family has found a winning formula when it comes to understanding people's interest in relationships.
“We're really honest, honest people. One, no matter who you are or where you're from, you've experienced heartbreak in some way, or you've had feelings related to love and romantic things. It's something that you go through, so we can empathize with that,” says Hlubi.
“The most popular programs are the ones that the whole family can watch. Financially, not every household can afford five decoders. [Extra View ]. Therefore, from now on he will have to sit in one lounge and enjoy one program,” Hlubi asserted.
The experienced television creator said she still faces challenges in running her own company, Milk & Honey TV.
“When I work on a show like this, Ezomushadif we are dealing with a lower LSM we try [to] “It was very difficult to introduce black people to therapy and other ways to repair relationship and marital problems,” she said.
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the money part
Hlubi said “lucrative” would be too strong a word to describe the economic benefits of the reality TV industry.
“Unfortunately, we don't have a big budget, because I think reality shows have to be in the context of the show,” she said.
“Imagine that you are photographing a Nkandla family living a very interesting life on a farm, and now… Shaka Ilembe It just doesn’t fit the budget,” Hlubi says.
She was quick to assert that she was not implying that TV crews should be exploited, but said: TV dramas and movies are likely to be profitable. Because they are large-scale works. ”
Spin-offs are very popular on television, and the reality show genre has enjoyed some success in this regard.
Mseleku family reality show, Usando Nesembu A spin-off has been created, featuring Musa Mseleku's descendants as main characters. The title is Isingane Zesembu.
However, TV producers believe the spin-off will be more popular overseas than in South Africa.
Hlubi says reality shows with ensemble casts are not doing well in South Africa. housewifea variety of individuals come together to create a show.
“When one or two characters become so popular that they get a spin-off, that means a lot of things. , can it be as strong?'' Hruby asked about the questions that arise when you want to launch a spin-off.
“Remember, a reality show has to look at family, love, pain, and triumph. So are you going to carry it alone?” Hlubi mentioned. Dineo's diary As an example. Dineo's diary What first attracted viewers was the Ranaka family has been released.
“It was so big and so popular. By the time we saw Ranaka family, has already been sold. I like spin-offs, but be careful when you decide to go for one. ”
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Who benefits?
Hlubi advocates for talent to benefit more from reality TV, but warns against misconceptions about the money that can be made in the genre.
“You can’t risk your life, your triumphs, your sufferings and make money off of it,” she said.
“There’s not a lot of money to be made, but I definitely think talent should be compensated accordingly.”
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