Miracle Rising: South Africa becomes highest rated documentary o
Miracle Rising: South Africa becomes highest rated documentary o
Miracle Rising: South Africa, a documentary of untold stories of the four years leading up to the first democratic elections, from 1990 to 1994, and which has been sponsored by Dimension Data, became the most watched show on the History channel during its broadcast on DStv.
The initial broadcast drew a peak audience of 113 000, up 495% above the slot average, making it the highest rated documentary on History, the second highest rated show ever for the channel and the highest rated day for History ever. An additional screening on the same night drew an additional 45 000 adult viewers.
Total broadcasts of the documentary bring the combined reach in South Africa alone, to 604 000 viewers. According to Adam MacDonald, VP of programming at A+E Networks UK, “The impressive viewership figures, which are only the start, prove that we were right in believing that this momentous documentary will be truly inspirational for our global audiences.”
Michele Sparkes and Thys Botha, producers for Combined Artists the makers of the documentary said, “The response to Miracle Rising: South Africa shows that it does represent hope and inspiration. And, we believe South Africans can learn from our past to help direct our future.”
Jeremy Ord, chairperson of Dimension Data, the sponsors for Miracle Rising: South Africa added: “No-one who watched this documentary can fail to have been moved by the struggles and achievements of those people who brought us our democracy and turned us away from plunging downhill into violence. It is a true miracle.”
“Dimension Data is honoured to be involved in this moving documentary. When we became involved in this initiative over two years ago, the philosophy and principle behind the Group’s commitment was, and today still remains, nation building. We wanted to remind the people of South Africa, and indeed the world about how far South Africa has come. I believe this documentary will resonate in the minds and hearts of people for a long time.”