18:30 and 20:30 have been viewed as cursed timeslots for the broadcaster as the shows in question struggled to garner traction from the likes of Uzalo and Skeem Saam on SABC 1. By adding Uzozisola - Regrets, it's basically no competitor to that offering but rather to VIU and Zee Zonke.
VIU which Canal+ maintains a 36% stake and may look to acquire a controlling stake by 2026% is in the process of acquiring MultiChoice. The streamer has dubbed various telenovelas from Asia and Turkey into local languages so don't be surprised if more of those suddenly appear on DStv.
Following its inclusion on DStv in 2023, Zee Zonke has proved to be resounding success after garnering over 200,000 viewers. With e.tv having more reach, Uzozisola - Regrets viewership will most definitely double or quadruple Zee Zonke and lead to further additions.
But I think the question many should ask is how it may affect eExtra.
eExtra is home to these type of content alongside those from Asia, Turkey and various parts of Europe. With eMedia Investments dubbing Bollywood dramas, how long do you suppose it will be till eExtra only offers Zulu dubbed Bollywood series I mean that's how Kuiertyd started out.
If I'm being honest, eExtra has aired a lot of these shows in English and if eMedia Investments were to all of a sudden pull a Zee Zonke they could risk alienating viewers. My presumed guess would be that maybe they'll try to balance these shows but if I had to be honest I wouldn't be shocked if the latter became Zulu.
eExtra has been pumping the breaks on these shows every now and then while Kuiertyd continues to grow its catalogue. It wouldn't be shocking if eMedia Investments shifted all its Bollywood dramas to e.tv but in Zulu as eExtra is being repositioned as the KykNet of their stable.
Synopsis for Uzozisola - Regrets
Mauli Srivastav and Nandini Verma are best friends who grew up together. Nandini chooses Rajdeep Thakur over Mauli's friendship despite her of warning Nandini of his bad character which leads to a fallout between the two and they part ways.
Mauli, who is now a gynaecologist is married to Dr. Kunal Malhotra who is a pediatrician. Married to Rajdeep, Nandini is a victim of domestic violence. An ambitious businessman and a dominating husband, Rajdeep often abuses Nandini, both physically and mentally.
Kunal sees Nandini at a medical conference and saves her from a major accident. He discovers she is the friend Mauli reminisces about. He discusses it with Mauli. She meets Nandini after seven years. Nandini informs Mauli of her pregnancy. Rajdeep beats Nandini upon hearing about her pregnancy and leaves her on a road. Kunal finds her and takes her to the hospital. Nandini miscarries.
With the support of Mauli & Kunal, she gets Rajdeep arrested on domestic abuse charges and begins to live in Mauli & Kunal's home. He starts falling for her; he reminds himself about Mauli but is unable to stop thinking about Nandini. Slowly, she begins to feel the same for Kunal and decides to leave town due to her inability to control her romantic feelings for him.
When Kunal learns this, he stops her and confesses his own feelings. Nandini and Kunal start to love each other secretly. Mauli is heartbroken upon knowing this and wants to move out his house. Kunal's mother stops her from leaving and forces Kunal to leave instead as he's the one who's wrong. Kunal accepts his mistake and gets out of house. Mauli files for a divorce. After Kunal and Mauli part ways, Kunal and Nandini plan to get married. Mauli finds out that she is pregnant. Kunal discovers this, but accuses her of false pregnancy after a misunderstanding. He marries Nandini and they move out while Mauli decides to go on by herself.
