DStv channel M-Net has announced that it will not renew its telenovela Legacy when its second season ends in September 2022.
M-Net made the announcement on Wednesday (1 December), saying it will be “exploring new avenues to entertain its loyal viewers in order to cater to their new and evolving desire for limited series.”
M-Net cancels ‘Legacy’
Production house Tshedza will continue shooting the telenovela’s season two until February 2022. Viewers will still watch the rest of the season until September 2022.
Explaining M-Net’s decision to cancel Legacy, MultiChoice Group’s programming head Nomsa Philiso said, “Our viewership surveys guide us to adapt our content to the evolving needs of our customers.
“Whilst Legacy is a popular show, our M-Net 101 customers have indicated that they now want more limited series rather than long-running telenovelas. The success of our local strategy depends on how well we tune into what our customers would like to see on their screens.”
Tshedza will nevertheless continue working with M-Net, including on The River which has been renewed for season five.
“Working with M-Net channel 101 has always been a dream for us as a company, and we thank the channel for their incredible support and encouragement in bringing Legacy to life,” Tshedza’s co-owners Phathu Makwarela and Gwydion Beynon said.
“All our writers, crew members and actors have poured their hearts and souls into this project. We applaud MultiChoice Group for continuing to support local content and look forward to working on other exciting projects in future.”
Mixed reactions
The announcement has drawn mixed reactions on social media. Some viewers said they were not surprised at the decision not to renew Legacy, while others expressed sadness.
“Honestly, I’m not disappointed. Thoroughly enjoyed Kgomotso Christopher and Mary Ann Barlow on the show. I appreciated the visual aesthetic of the show. Beautiful. BUT … the script was just one storyline being rehashed over and over with different characters,” entertainment reporter Kgopolo Mphela tweeted.
Twitter user Noccy Mzobe added, “Not that it is not good. Legacy is good… pity it was not being viewed by many due to it being on M-Net.”
“I’m so sad. I love Legacy. I will definitely miss it shame. Dineo and Sanele are my favourites. Come to think of it, a lot of people are not watching the show. The storyline was very interesting in the beginning when Price died mysteriously, [but] from then on it was just chaotic,” said Twitter user Kgomotso Thlapane.