Long running lifestyle television program " Top Billing" has been cancelled reportedly. This comes after the show aired on SABC 3 for 23 years.
According to the Sowetan, the cash-strapped public broadcaster did not renew the show's contract four months ago because it was too costly to produce. The SABC's money problems have led them to asking for a bailout from parliament.
The iconic show that has adapted over the years since it was started by Patience Stevens, become known for showing viewers "the best of the good life", Over the years " Top Billing" created many stars in their presenters who were usually hand picked by producers.
One such star is Basetsana Kumalo who also went on to co-executive produce the show and was a vital player in ensuring Bonang Matheba joined the show.
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A post shared by Basetsana Kumalo(@basetsanakumalo) on Oct 17, 2019 at 12:50am PDT
Presenters have included Lorna Maseko, Joanne Strauss, Nico Panagio, Michael Mol, Maps Maponyane, Ayanda Thabethe and Simba Mhere.
Top Billing presenters. Picture: Facebook
The show became so huge in South African popular culture that people started referring to mega-mansions as "a Top Billing house" or over the top weddings as a "Top Billing wedding". This was in reference to the weekly mansions and over-the-top weddings that the show profiled, many of them being on local celebrities and sportsmen.
Many social media users have expressed their disappointment that their weddings and dream homes won't be featured on the show.
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/TopBilling?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" style="font-size: 12pt;">#TopBilling💔 pic.twitter.com/m8PfoHPxvs
— Zamani Khethelo (@ZamaniNKhethelo)
— #SidebarWithSindi (@sindivanzyl) October 17, 2019
I can’t believe Top Billing it’s cancelled before showing my future house 🏡 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/CWorxuNJvY
— Mmadikgosi Matshego (@Mmadikgosi_23) October 17, 2019
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/topbilling?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#topbilling pic.twitter.com/tsi4mgeENn
Sabc dumped top billing
— seeare_t (@Seeare_T)
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/TopBilling?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TopBilling
— Dj Lloyda-vico (@lloyd_senior)
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/TopBilling?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TopBillingthis year has been a lot makuvalwe hle, ayikho le pic.twitter.com/PPhUzzEu8A
— Landile Nkomba (@LNkomba)
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/TopBilling?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#TopBilling...what now? 😒😒
— Kara B👑💐 (@kara_segooa)