Zenoyise Madikwa

Zenoyise Madikwa

SABC 3's lifestyle talk show, 3 Talk, has been moved to 4pm to make way for the more popular Oprah Winfrey Show that will be flighted in prime time at 5.45pm.

Sources close to the show say the move was made because 3 Talk has lost viewers to Oprah. A source said there were many complaints that the show was dull and that its host. Noeleen Maholwana-Sangqu, pictured, followed the same sequence every time.

"Producers want to revamp the show. They want to stop it from being a studio-based show," the informant said. "They want Noleen to go out there and meet people instead of sitting in the studio."

But SABC 3 communication manager Gesh Conco said the adjustment was made "in order to stay current and to meet viewer demands and expectations".

"This move is also part of SABC 3's re-branding and repositioning campaign, which started earlier in 2008," Conco said. "SABC 3 has always adopted the policy of giving the viewers what they want and we believe this move is in line with that thinking."

Conco apologised to viewers for any inconvenience.

"We acknowledge that these changes could disrupt some viewers' schedules but we urge them to bear with us as we continue to look for ways to provide them with a programming schedule that's in line with current broadcast trends."

Maholwana-Sangquwa could not be reached on her cellphone for comment.