South Africa has achieved a historic milestone in television, securing four nominations at the 2025 International Emmy® Awards, the most ever for an African country in a single year. A fifth nomination, Play Room Live, adds to the nation’s growing international acclaim.
The nominations place South Africa third globally, behind only the UK and Brazil, highlighting the country’s growing influence in global storytelling.
The nominated productions cover a range of genres:
Chasing the Sun 2 (SuperSport), a Rugby World Cup documentary capturing the Springboks’ 2023 victory.
Koek (Showmax), an Afrikaans crime drama recognised for its suspenseful storytelling.
School Ties (M-Net), a documentary addressing previously silenced stories of learners.
Catch Me a Killer (Showmax), a psychological thriller featuring Charlotte Hope as South Africa’s first serial-killer profiler.
Play Room Live (DStv Channel 300), nominated in the Kids: Factual and Entertainment category.
This marks the fourth consecutive year MultiChoice content has reached the International Emmy shortlist, bringing the company’s total to 11 nominations in eight years.
Nomsa Philiso, Director of Content at MultiChoice, praised the achievement, saying: “These nominations mark a significant milestone for our industry – a moment where local stories, crafted with care and cultural depth, are being recognised on a global stage like never before.”
The Emmy winners will be announced in New York City on 24 November 2025. Regardless of the outcome, South Africa’s record nominations underscore the global appeal of African storytelling and the country’s growing cultural impact on the international stage.
Source: MultiChoice
