M-Net’s most watched series

MultiChoice-owned SuperSport has revealed that Chasing the Sun 2, the series showcasing the Springbok’s journey to their fourth Rugby World Cup title, was the most-watched series on M-Net in 2024.

The series premiered in March 2024, and episodes were broadcast on Sundays at 20:00 on DStv channel 101 in the traditional M-Net movie night slot.

According to MultiChoice, the M-Net Sunday night movie slot has been a staple for DStv viewers for decades and is considered a family tradition in many South African households.

“South Africans voted with their eyes and attention, making it clear that there was no better viewing experience on the traditional M-Net movie night slot for a series than watching captain Siya Kolisi and the Springboks doing it all over again in France,” said SuperSport.

“Throughout the year, viewers made the docuseries one of their chosen means of entertainment, with the show outperforming popular blockbuster Hollywood productions and shows like Fast Charlie, Chicago PD, and The Rookie.”

In its category, Chasing the Sun 2 also surpassed International hits like White Lies, The Day of the Jackal, Penguin, and FBI.

The series came to fruition through a partnership between SuperSport and SA Rugby. It was directed by Gareth Whittaker, produced by T&W, and sponsored by Toyota, Betway, and Spur.

“Much like its predecessor, the sequel has gone on to achieve critical acclaim and boasts multiple awards,” said SuperSport.

The MultiChoice-owned sports network said it was given unprecedented access to the Springbok locker room and training sessions.

SuperSport said this drew excitement as fans tuned in to see how then-head coach Jacques Neinaber and Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus engineered the back-to-back success.

“It has been an honour, to say the least, as SuperSport, to contribute so markedly to the storytelling that immortalised such a seismic moment in South African sporting history,” said SuperSport CEO Rendani Ramovha.

“This only serves as encouragement to not only keep doing what we are doing but also to consistently raise the bar just as our heroes did when they returned from France with the Webb Ellis Trophy once again, which they won in Japan four years earlier.”

SA Rugby president Mark Alexander described the response to Chasing the Sun 2 as “truly heart-warming”.

“As we observed in 2019, the Boks united ordinary South Africans once again,” he added.

“However, the script was entirely different this time, with the playoffs brimming with drama, culminating in three consecutive one-point victories.”

The series also successfully generated engagement globally, generating more than 40 million digital impressions and 598 million cumulative social media impressions.

“It’s a very special thing when entertainment meets meaning,” said Whittaker.

“What people saw in Chasing the Sun was a country believing that we can be the best in the world – not just in rugby, but the best in the world at filmmaking, engineering, art and business,” he added.

“That’s why the series did so well. South Africans watched and saw that they can also be the best in the world.”