Whether it is the drama surrounding the glamorous advertising industry or the antics of a large mine and its community, Africa cannot get enough of local soaps Generations and Isidingo. So there is little surprise that the Africa Magic Entertainment channel on pay-tv Multichoice has signed deals to broadcast the two shows in other countries, specifically Botswana.

The move comes after a court decided local transmitter company Sentech is responsible for the high levels of TV piracy outside South Africa. e-Botswana, a Botswanian broadcaster, had taken the signal provider to court for not properly encrypting free-to-air SABC channels, which are watched illegally by millions of viewers. Consequently those free signals, which can be picked up by certain decoders, will become inaccessible for those living outside SA.

South African soaps are particularly popular, which is why the satellite channel bought the rights to broadcast Generations and Isidingo in other countries. It is not clear if there are plans to sign up other popular local soaps, but viewers in Botswana can expect more aggressive marketing of eTV’s soapies, which is a part-owner of e-Botswana.

Viewers in Botswana can catch both soapies every weekday on Dstv Channel 128.

By James Francis