Cape Town – Die Stem for kykNET? After the conclusion of the first season of The Voice South Africa on M-Net (DStv 101) insiders buzzed that kykNET (DStv 144) is considering an all-Afrikaans version of The Voice SA for M-Net's Afrikaans language channel on MultiChoice's DStv, however kykNET denies that it's currently considering it.
M-Net hasn't yet announced a second season of The Voice South Africa produced by African Media & Production Network (AMPN) although the format reality singing competition from Talpa International will likely be back on the Randburg-based pay-TV broadcaster's schedule for another run despite a voting scandal that marred the first season finale.
Separately from the M-Net decision, rumours started swirling that its Afrikaans sister channel kykNET is looking to get in on The Voice SA action, wanting to do its own Afrikaans version and even keeping the two popular Afrikaans coaches, Bobby van Jaarsveld and Karen Zoid.
"At this stage the concept of an Afrikaans The Voice is not yet on the table," Maryke Allers, kykNET spokesperson, tells Channel24 in response to a media enquiry asking whether kykNET is considering an Afrikaans version.
Looking to lure viewers, kykNET is however adding a repeat of the first season of The Voice SA to the schedule of its kykNET & kie (DStv 145) channel.
The Voice SA will start on 12 June on kykNET & kie.
Before M-Net announced The Voice SA it took over the American version of The Voice from SABC3 to acclamatise its pay-TV audience and to test viewership.
Besides localised English version in several countries, numerous vernacular versions of The Voice exist, ranging from Hlas Cesko Slovenska in the Czech Republic, Største Stemme in Denmark to Golos in Russia, a version for the Arab world, and many more.