SA’S TOP 5 LOCAL SHOWS

RHYTHM CITY

GENERATIONS: THE LEGACY

UZALO

SCANDAL

RHYTHM CITY

KEDIBONE MODISE

SOAPIES/ Telenovelas are a big deal for viewers. They offer a wonderful form of escapism thanks to the melodramatic storylines, which leave audiences yearning for more.

While many may argue that all the shows are popular because they are on free-to-air channels, the truth is South Africans enjoy a good story.

Even though DStv channels trail behind free-to-air, their shows still get respectable ratings. There are just over 1.1 million viewers for Mzansi Magic’s popular soapies Gomora and The Queen. 1Magic’s The River comes second with over 780 000 viewers, while Mzansi Magic’s Isibaya comes third with over 720 000 viewers. Here are the top five shows that keep South Africans glued to their screen. Uzalo

Uzalo became a hit when it debuted on the small screen in 2015. It initially centred on two families from KwaMashu: the Mdletshe family, who play a significant role in the management of the KwaMashu Kingdom Church; and the Xulu family, who run a car hijacking syndicate. The families are connected by their eldest sons who were switched at birth. As the show progressed, the storylines have changed dramatically. Uzalo, on SABC1 on weekdays at 8.30pm, has remained the most-watched South African soapie for three years, with over 8.9 million viewers.

Generations: The Legacy

Previously known as Generations, it is the second most-watched television show in South Africa, with over 7,5 million viewers. It focuses on the transfer of wealth, knowledge and culture.

With the advertising industry as its backdrop, the storylines explore the dreams and aspirations of its characters, from different social backgrounds. Rivalry, treachery and blackmail between siblings, friends and foes are common. Suspense, intrigue and tension are the order of the day. Generations: The Legacy, airs on SABC1 at 8pm on weekdays.

UZALO SCANDAL SKEEM SAAM

Skeem Saam

At number three, with over 6.7 million viewers, this show is set in the rural area of Turfloop outside Polokwane. The captures the ups and downs of a group of teenagers trying to navigate their way through life.

The ground-breaking youth drama follows their journey as they finish high school and head off to university, leaving Turfloop and venturing into the bright lights of Johannesburg. The show is now in its seventh season. Skeem Saam airs on SABC 1 at 6.30pm on weekdays. Scandal!

This daily drama was built around a fictional media company, Nyathi Family Holdings (NFH), in Newtown, Johannesburg, which produces the newspaper The Voice and the gossip magazine Scandal.

The show follows the lives of the people working there and those in their inner circle. It also tells the story of socio-economic divides of township and suburban life.

The show shines a spotlight on how villains and heroes play out the complex twists and turns of their lives in their home, business and recreational environments. Scandal! airs on e.tv at 7.30pm and recently garnered over 4.7 million viewers. Rhythm City

This soap explores two family empires in the entertainment space: the Genaros and the Ndlovus, and how their heirs want to dominate the scene. The characters lead affluent lives while exploring the complexity of living in the city.

Past rivalries, industry conflicts, infidelity, backstabbing, sexuality, love and good and evil, are the order of the day as the story shifts from the township to the suburbs.

Rhythm City airs on e.tv at 7pm, weekdays and has 3.8 million viewers.

GENERATIONS: The Legacy