Avid watchers of e.TV’s The Morning Show (TMS), are outraged over eNCA’s shocking decision to pull the show from eNCA, on Thursday evening.
Last week, Cheeky Media, announced that media personality Faith Mangope and former goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo will host the show. The duo was expected to join Nelisiwe Mmape, Kgosi Rankhumise, and Bolele Polisa as hosts on The Morning Show.
An insider told ZAlebs that eNCA approached The Morning Show because of its lifestyle content and high viewership as a replacement for The South African Morning on eNCA, which was set to air simultaneously on e.TV and eNCA weekdays starting in May 2023.
But, in a twist of events, the channel has dumped the show. According to our insider, it seems the decision comes after Journalist Thinus Ferreira reported on TV Thinus that eNCA viewers have expressed dissatisfaction with eNCA's decision to replace The South African Morning with e.tv's free-to-air program.
"Useless rubbish' and 'a huge disaster': Shocked and angry DStv subscribers slam eNCA saying they're switching to Newzroom Afrika and SABC's Morning Live over decision to simulcast e.tv's 'totally poor and amateurish' The Morning Show," reads a headline on TV with Thinus.
Thinus's report has been deemed "racist" and the insider has accused Thinus of continuously crushing black creatives with his "biased blog" and "bad journalism". The insider told ZAlebs that eNCA allegedly removed The Morning Show due to TV with Thinus's "racist" report.
“Racism has led eNCA to pause The Morning Show simulcast. Even when they advertise they use Gareth's face not Boitumelo The South African Morning on eNCA is presented by 2 people a white guy and a black lady but they are promoting it with a white presenter without the black presenter proving that they are racist,” said an insider.
"They knew that the show is being watched by a black audience. Thinus cannot call black people poor, are we still poor in 2023? He said people for eating KFC," said the insider.
On Thursday evening, eNCA announced that The South African Morning will return to its slot with Gareth Edwards. The announcement has left viewers in the dark regarding Tumelo Mothotoane's whereabouts, as she used to co-host the show with Gareth.
In a statement sent to ZAlebs, Cheeky Media PR Team said "Unfortunately, we cannot engage media on this matter as we are dealing with the matter internally. We will release a statement in due time," said Lolo Morapeli.
In a statement released by Cheeky Media last week, Yusuf Stevens, The Morning Show’s Executive Producer and CEO of Cheeky Media, said they were extremely honored to be part of the eNCA family, a brand that is established and has strong credibility.
He promised to deliver world-class news content in a palatable format and content pieces that add value to our viewers and followers.
“Seven days a week is a massive testament to the hard work and dedication of the Cheeky Media Team. We’ve always committed to superior quality work and it’s not going to be any different this time around. We promise to deliver world-class news content in a palatable format and content pieces that add value to our viewers and followers,” said Stevens adding that “we have a responsibility to ensure everyone wakes up and gets the most relevant
content to prepare them for their day”.
Image Cred: Supplied