Carte Blanche (TV series)

For other uses, see Carte blanche (disambiguation).

Carte Blanche
Format	Investigative journalism
Presented by	Derek Watts Bongani Bingwa Devi Sankaree Govender
Country of origin	South Africa
Production
Producer(s)	Combined Artists
Broadcast
Original channel	M-Net
Picture format	4:3
Original airing	1988

Carte Blanche, produced by Combined Artists, is the flagship magazine and actuality programme on M-Net, a pay-TV channel broadcasting in Southern Africa. Carte Blanche was launched in 1989 and broadcasts during prime time viewing on Sunday evenings.

To celebrate 22 years on air on 12 September 2010, Carte Blanche allowed their audience to direct the show live via Facebook and Twitter. Viewers could choose which stories went out and in which order, and could also help write the studio script. It was a first for South African television

The programme broadcast a special on 21 September 2008 to celebrate 20 years on air. The Making a difference campaign was launched under the birthday special with the aim of raising funds for paediatric units in public hospitals across South Africa. To date it has raised over R73-million.

The show consistently ranks in the top 10 on M-Net and enjoys a local viewership of about 500 000 people every week.

Carte Blanche has developed a high degree of credibility in South African television journalism and has been awarded over 120 local and international awards.

Stories have included investigations into the abuse of the elderly, the South African Paralympic team, the traumatic journey of a young anorexia sufferer, the tracking and arrest of high profile criminals, and recently uncovering a scandal at Eskom that plunged South Africa into darkness. Carte Blanche has also covered the story of a world champion free diver.

Ruda Landman and Derek Watts have anchored the programme since its first broadcast and were the longest-running anchors on South African television. Landman stepped down from the show on 24 June 2007.

Carte Blanche Extra

Carte Blanche Extra launched on 24 January 2011.

Carte Blanche Medical

Carte Blanche launched Carte Blanche Medical on 18 January 2010, anchored by Bongani Bingwa. The 30 minute show airs in primetime viewing at 7pm every Monday. The show, which ran for four seasons, was replaced by Carte Blanche Extra on 24 January 2011.

Carte Blanche Medical strives to enlighten and empower viewers about medical and health-related issues.

The series throws the spotlight on trailblazing medical breakthroughs, both from South Africa and abroad, and delves deeper into the viewpoints of experts regarding new ways of treating medical and related conditions.

The first two stories that were broadcast were on Baby Hope, thought to be South Africa's smallest prem baby at 390g, and Tasting the light, a story about a device that helps blind people see.

Carte Blanche Consumer

Carte Blanche launched Carte Blanche Consumer on 21 January 2010, anchored by Devi Sankaree Govender. The 30 minute show airs in primetime viewing at 7pm every Thursday. The show, which ran for four seasons, was not recommissioned for 2011.

Carte Blanche Consumer is a South African current affairs television series produced by Combined Artists for M-Net as a spin-off of Carte Blanche, which assumes the role of a consumer rights watchdog that demands accountability and exposes hidden agendas.

It’s a show that aims to not just entertain, but also educate and inform viewers about their rights as South African consumers.

Carte Blanche Africa

Carte Blanche Africa broadcasts to 45 countries in Africa. Broadcasts, which began in 1994, were suspended at the beginning of 2008.

Carte Blanche Interactive

Carte Blanche Interactive is a more recent addition, providing internet, telephony, email and interactive television.

In September 2003, Feb. 5th, an enhanced information service was added for viewers on the digital satellite platform. This allows viewers to get extra information on topics discussed in the show while they are watching. On the web, the digital story library extends to May 1999.

Carte Blanche Interactive provides interactive services such as live web chat, interactive guides, polls and discussion forums. It also serves South Africans living in other countries around the world, as well as foreigners interested in South African issue.

Carte Blanche Interactive, under the handle carteblanchetv, also manages the social media aspects of the programme.

Statistics

Carte Blanche has to date:"Carte Blanche Interactive". http://beta.mnet.co.za/carteblanche/General.aspx 

• Done 2680 stories (over 830 Carte Blanche Domestic broadcasts, 592 Carte Blanche Africa broadcasts)
• Won over 120 awards
• interviewed 19 600 people
• visited 55 countries
• travelled 4 million kilometres
• Shot 9 million metres of footage
• 200 people creating the show every week
• had 4000 questions put to experts in online chats

Recent Awards

Producer	Story	Award (2006)
Joy Summers	DDT Pesticide	SAB 2010 Environmentalist and Environmental Journalists of the Year Award - Merit (Broadcast category)
Eugene Botha	Lotz Murder	SAFTA - Best News & Actuality Programme
George Mazarakis and Karolina Andropoulos	Carte Blanche Making A Difference Trust	Support of Philanthropy in the Media: 4th Annual Inyathelo Philanthropy Awards
Odette Schwegler and Nicola de Chaud	In sheep's clothing	Taco Kuiper - Award for investigative Journalism AND CNN African Journalist Awards - Runners up (Television Category)
Joy Summers	Water in the works	Vodacom Journalist of the Year - National winner (TV Feature) AND Joint Winner, Health Category - Siemens Profile Awards for Excellence in Scientific Journalism
Michael Duffet	Debt Admin	Citadel - Breaking news electronic award

See also

• Combined Artists
• DStv
• Multichoice
• M-Net Literary Awards
• List of South African television series

External links

• Carte Blanche official website
• Carte Blanche extra official website
• Carte Blanche Medical official website
• Carte Blanche Consumer official website
• Combined Artists official website