eNCA Experiment with 4pm "General News" Slot

eNCA seems to be doing some experimenting with its 4pm-6pm generic news bulletin anchored by Gareth Edwards.

What was initially through the years just a standard news anchor in seat reading the news bulletin is becoming increasingly a more interesting and exciting bulletin to watch now that Gareth Edwards anchors it. Gareth follows in the steps of the likes of current News Night anchor Iman Rappetti,current Morning News Todday and SA news legend Dan Moyane, Mid Morning presenter (and a former prime time anchor at SABC3) JoAnne Joseph and former prime time anchor Nikiwe Bikitsha in carrying the slot. By just looking at those names, one can see that the 4pm slot has historically been anchored by either people that have had great things happen in their career before taking the slot, or were promoted to greater things following their stint in the slot. It seems as if Gareth is destined for the latter.

(c) eNCA

But back on topic. Unlike the anchors before him, Gareth no longer just sits in the corner set reading the news, he actually walks across the whole studio, starting at the main desk, where he reads the headlines and previews what is to come, before moving to the larger screen behind him, all shown with more-dramatic-than-usual camera work.

(c) eNCA

Consistently throughout the two-hour bulletin he referred to the show as Afternoon News (On Twitter, #AfternoonNews), which is interesting because, other than the channels three 'main' news bulletins (Morning News Today, News Day and News Night), no other slot on the channel is referred to by a name, only labelled 'General News' on the DStv i-Plate and as eNCA by the anchors. Could the bulletin's name officially be renamed Afternoon News? We will wait and see.

One thing that has always stood out about the 4pm slot was its ability to attract guests to discuss stories, often guests of a high caliber. With all the changes taking place, this is the one part of the show that has stayed true to its legacy. Friday they had both Nickolaus Bauer ( who discussed the harrassment he went through at the hands of SAPS police officers at a rally. This story eventually crept its way to the top of the headlines later during prime time) and Toby Shapshack( who discussed a new patent of Apple's. Interestingly enough, he has a tech show on another channel, CNBC Africa, but appeared on a competitor instead).

The bulletin also had a business report in its last half hour presented by prime time business anchor Arabile Gumede, who has received a considerable amount of criticism since joining the channel.