Numbers Count

With renewal season in full swing overseas, here’s a look at how shows get renewed or cancelled.

- Craig Falck

Remember when your maths teacher told you to pay attention “because you will use this in life”? If you’re in the television commissioning game, your teacher wasn’t lying. But don’t worry: there’s no algebra or trigonometry to decide if a show gets another season or if the axe falls. “It’s basic maths – if the numbers are there, the show gets another season. If not, well…” explains Ziyanda Mngomezulu, e.tv’s head of local productions.

TEAMWORK

“It’s not just one person who makes the decisions,” adds Ziyanda. “We run a review process during and after the season once we have all the data.” That includes audience tracking, viewer response on social media, as well the revenue stream. “Marketing, production and publicity teams have a panel meeting and give input, then the sums get done,” says Ziyanda. “If it makes sense on paper, then we take it to the MD and present to them.”