e.tv Turns 28: 28 Years of Stories, Stars and Unforgettable Mzansi Moments
From Backstage to Rhythm City, Scandal! and beyond – e.tv celebrates 28 years of keeping Mzansi entertained, one unforgettable story at a time.
Twenty-eight years. Countless characters. Iconic catchphrases. Dramatic plot twists. Memorable theme songs. And enough television moments to fill a lifetime.
In 2026, e.tv celebrates 28 years on air, marking almost three decades of being part of South African popular culture and the everyday lives of millions of viewers.
Since its establishment in 1998, e.tv has grown into a destination for local and international entertainment, with storytelling at the heart of its offering.
But a celebration of 28 years would not be complete without taking a little trip down memory lane.
Remember when?
For many South Africans, e.tv is more than a channel. It is a collection of memories.
There was a time when Backstage had viewers glued to their screens, introducing audiences to a world of ambition, relationships, friendship and drama while helping launch the careers of some of South Africa's much-loved talent.
Then came Rhythm City, which became a television institution. From the streets of Soweto to the glamour of the music industry, the show delivered unforgettable characters and storylines for more than 14 years before taking its final bow in 2021.
And who could forget the drama of Scandal!? Since its debut in 2005, the soapie has become synonymous with big twists, bigger secrets and characters that became household names. In 2025, Scandal! celebrated its extraordinary 5,000th episode, cementing its place in South African television history.
These are the shows that became part of the rhythm of everyday life – the programmes viewers discussed at work, at school, in taxis, around the braai and, eventually, across social media.
From old favourites to a new generation of stories
The nostalgia is real, but e.tv has never stood still.
Over the years, the channel has continued to reinvent its local offering, introducing audiences to shows including Imbewu, Durban Gen, House of Zwide, Smoke & Mirrors, Isitha: The Enemy, Kelders van Geheime and a new generation of dramas that continue to reflect the many faces and experiences of South Africa.
From fashion and family dynasties to hospitals, high-stakes crime, love, betrayal and secrets, e.tv's stories have continued to evolve with its audience.
And just as viewers have changed the way they consume entertainment, e.tv has expanded beyond the traditional television screen.
Through eVOD and Openview, audiences can continue their favourite stories on their own terms, bringing e.tv's entertainment offering to more screens and more homes.
28 years of Mzansi moments
At the centre of this journey are the people.
The actors who became household names. The writers who kept us guessing. The directors and producers who brought ambitious stories to life. The production teams working behind the scenes. And, most importantly, the viewers who have made these 28 years possible.
Because television is never just about what happens on screen. It is about the memories created around it.
It is remembering where you were when a favourite character left. The family arguments over which channel to watch. The shock of a plot twist. The excitement of a wedding episode. The villain everyone loved to hate. The character whose catchphrase became part of everyday conversation.
That is the e.tv legacy.
The story continues
As e.tv celebrates 28 years, the channel honours everything that came before while looking firmly towards what comes next.
From the nostalgic favourites that helped shape a generation of viewers to the bold new stories capturing the imagination of today's audiences, e.tv remains committed to creating entertainment that speaks to South Africa.
Twenty-eight years later, the screen may look different, the stories may have evolved and the way we watch may have changed – but the love of a great story remains.
28 years. One e.tv. Countless stories.
And Mzansi, we're only getting started.