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Cape Town – Idols on M-Net (DStv 101) and Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) which has already been renewed for an 11th season, has broken a voting record, with the singing reality show set to pass 20 million votes in the historic 10th season which will conclude this coming Sunday with a live finale.
By enabling more voting options, allowing voting through social media platforms and harnessing social media involvement, Idols' voting has spiked by a massive 173% compared to the previous season – one of the reasons which led to the early renewal announcement of the veteran M-Net show.
More than 19 814 684 votes were already cast in this season, making it a sure bet that the final voting tally will surpass 20 million when this week's votes are added – the last week during which viewers can vote and which usually sees an additional voting surge as fans support their choice of the final two contestants.
"Viewer response to the historic 10th season of Idols has been phenomenal, exceeding our wilfest expectations," says Victor Eckard, director of M-Net.
"Week after week we have crushed previous seasons' records and we're waiting with baited breath to see how many votes will be cast leading up to the final on 23 November."
"Traditionally, votes peak in the all-important Top 2 voting period leading up to the finale as everyone wants to make sure that their favourite scoops the Idols title," says Eckard.
The 10th season Idols winner will be Bongi Silinda (24) from Nelspruit or Vincent Bones (30) from Pietermaritzburg who will be performing on Sunday from Carnival City in a live broadcast.
Voting closes on Friday 21 November at 22:00.
This season of Idols ditched the Tuesday elimination and results show, opting to move it into the Sunday evening show at the beginning, and also returning the Sunday programme to a live broadcast to try and lift ratings.
Nkateko Mabaso, director of M-Net's local interest channels says especially younger viewers remain enthralled by the reality format show.
"The inclusion of more voting platforms and the free WeChat voting made it much easier for fans to support their favourites."
