The UK version of the massive hit music talent show The Voice is coming to South African television in January next year and will be shown exclusively on ITV Choice (DStv 123). Even more exciting is the news that the show will be broadcast less than 24-hours after its UK transmission.
Says Katherine Wen, Channel Director for ITV Choice: “We are very excited to be bringing The Voice UK 2018 to South Africa and even more delighted that the ITV Choice audience will be able to watch the show so close to its UK premiere.
“It will be shown exclusively on ITV Choice in Africa and is the perfect family entertainment,” adds Wen.
Adds Aletta Alberts, General Manager of Content at Multichoice South Africa: “This is something really special for both DStv and fans of the The Voice UK and we are thrilled that ITV Choice has pulled off such an exciting acquisition. We are also delighted that it will be screened so close to the UK transmission as it further enhances our commitment to bring international hit shows as quickly as possible to our subscribers.”
While a start date has yet to be confirmed, the series will premiere sometime in early January 2018 and will go out on Sunday evenings.
ITV is currently holding auditions across the UK for 2018 contestants and has recently confirmed that pop sensation Olly Murs is set to join Tom Jones, Will.i.am and Jennifer Hudson as the fourth judge for the new series, following the departure of Gavin Rossdale who left the show earlier this year.
In related news, ITV Choice is also very pleased to announce that it has acquired the rights to broadcast The Voice Kids UK 2018 in South Africa. Aimed at children between the ages of 7-14 years old, the series – now in its second outing – sees the winner receiving a substantial cash prize as well as a family trip to Disneyland Paris. Unlike the adult version, there are no knockout rounds. The Voice Kids UK 2018 looks set to start transmission in the UK in mid-2018.
Broadcast of The Voice UK and The Voice Kids UK on ITV Choice next year is proof of the channel’s ongoing commitment to bring the best of British entertainment to South Africa and Wen has hinted of further exciting programme announcements within the next fortnight.
Stay tuned …Hit music talent show to be broadcast within 24-hours after UK