SA: e.tv cancels Club 808 music show

“The show will conclude with a special episode showcasing the talent and hosts that have graced the show since its premiere," e.tv publicist Michael Pocock said.

He said the decision was influenced by a change in content direction that would take effect at the broadcaster next month and that Club 808 had enjoyed positive ratings as well as a healthy social media following since it first aired in 2010.

“The channel’s content direction from April onwards is to provide quality content from South Africa and abroad that resonates with our viewers by giving them more of what they want,” Pocock told Music In Africa.

He said e.tv would not replace Club 808 with a similar programme because the channel already boasted a variety of music content.

“Music on e.tv is showcased on various properties such as Sunrise and Craze so the channel will continue to support the local music industry in shows that lend themselves to music,” Pocock said.

Club 808 presenter Bontle Modiselle took to Twitter to say goodbye to her fans.

“News is out. After serving great music and entertainment for seven years, Club 808 is coming to end officially on 30 March 2018,” she wrote.

“It’s been an absolute pleasure entertaining those who watched, and I’ll do so for the remainder of the season, and hereafter. Thank you for your support!”

Club 808 has changed time slots on various occasions since it first aired on e.tv almost eight years ago. It was first broadcast at 7.30pm on Fridays to about 1 million prime-time viewers but was moved to Saturdays to make space for an extra episode of popular TV soapie Scandal!

The show then went to eKasi+, a channel on e.tv’s paid satellite service OpenView HD, where it assumed its original time slot. In September 2014 it was brought back to e.tv where it once again changed slots, finally settling at 4.30pm outside prime time.

"We would like to thank the presenters of Club 808, all the talent that have featured on the show and Red Pepper Pictures for an entertaining seven years on e.tv," Pocock said.