eNCA cancels The Morning Show for not having a white presenter
News channel eNCA has cancelled The Morning Show after some viewers threatened to boycott it for being “too black”.
From May 1st, The Morning Show began airing on both eNCA and eTV simultaneously. It was now airing on eNCA every day of the week and on eTV from Monday to Friday.
It replaced The South African Morning show, which used to be on air every day from 6 am-9 am.
However, The Citizen reported that this move angered viewers, who threatened to switch to Newzroom Afrika and SABC News.
ZiMoja spoke to insiders at e.tv, who revealed that eNCA became difficult, and the show had to be switched off after four days of simulcasting.
The presenters were instructed to avoid blending English with their local languages to cater to the white audience of the channel. Additionally, the production company was requested to fulfil several other requirements, including hiring a white presenter.
One revealed the reason why eNCA decided to simulcast The Morning Show:
“The Morning Show, which turns 5 on Sunday, has successfully delivered great content that speaks to its audience without fail. This is why eNCA approached and asked for a simulcast to get more numbers in the morning.”
Another source added that complaints that the show was too black took a toll on eNCA producers and executives:
“They demanded the show to go live from the eNCA studios. Racist comments that the show was too black and catered for poor blacks by blogger and journalist Thinus Ferreira and his Twitter army led the channel to pull off the plug.”
The program had brought in additional hosts. Faith Mangope, a broadcaster, and Brighton Mhlongo, a former goalkeeper for Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates, joined the existing team of presenters, which includes Nelisiwe Mmape, Kgosi Rankhumise, Bolele Polisa, and Obakeng Ngobeni.
It is uncertain whether the two newcomers will remain in the show.
