First Dates SA set to premiere on BBC Lifestyle this October

Production of BBC Lifestyle’s latest local commission First Dates SA officially wrapped this week. Fans are in for a treat when the series premieres on Wednesday 16 October 2019 at 8PM on BBC Lifestyle (DStv channel 174).

ALSO READ: BBC Lifestyle to bring local version of global dating hit FIRST DATES to South Africa

The successful and global dating format which brings together single people from a variety of backgrounds on a blind date, has already created a stir by receiving the highest number of applicants ever for a BBC commission. In the end 120 single contestants were selected, matched up with their ideal partner and met for the very first time at the First Dates pop-up restaurant in Greenside, Johannesburg.

Using discreetly hidden cameras, this dating show will lay bare the real-life anatomy of a first date – from first impressions to parting thoughts at the end of the night. Expect to see every awkward, funny and romantic moments while the couples try and put their best selves forward in the hopes of igniting a spark and securing that all important second date, highlighting emotions and experiences that we can all relate to.

If you can’t wait until the 16th of October to see what went down in the First Dates SA restaurant, BBC Lifestyle is offering viewers the chance to see how potential couplings fared in the First Dates restaurant down under and in the UK. First Dates Australia Series 2 airs from 28 July at 20:00. First Dates UK airs daily from 7 October at 17:00.

The series will also be available for 30 days on both DStv Catch Up and DStv Now.

The production team from Rapid Blue has shared some detail around what it takes to produce a show of this magnitude:

  • It took a team of 20 people, 4 weeks to design, build and make-over the First Dates SA restaurant, previously known as the Shadow Boxer in Greenside.
  • It took 4 days to strike the set.
  • There are 30 cameras placed discreetly in the First Dates restaurant to capture every detail of each couples first date.
  • A total of 60 dates were filmed for this series. Each one taking on average 2 hours.
  • It takes on average 140 hours to edit one episode
  • Each episode aims to showcase 4 to 5 dates
  • 2.5 kilometres of cabling was used to install the cameras in the restaurant
  • 70 people were needed on set every day to film the series. These included chaperones, logistics, technical crew, medic, health & safety, catering and production team.

To stay up to date on all the recent and upcoming shows on BBC Lifestyle (DStv channel 174), featuring the very best in dating and romance, visit BBC official website here.

Image Courtesy: Supplied 

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