The Four of Us becomes the first e.tv telenovela to stream on Netflix, marking a new era for local content distribution.

South African storytelling is stepping onto an even bigger stage. eMedia has announced a strategic content licensing partnership between free-to-air broadcaster e.tv and global streaming platform Netflix. This move will see select e.tv original productions reach audiences across the African continent through Netflix’s platform.

Leading the partnership is e.tv’s newest daily drama, The Four of Us, which has become the first e.tv telenovela to stream on Netflix. Following its premiere on e.tv on 29 June 2026, the series launched on Netflix the next day, giving audiences an additional way to experience one of South Africa’s most talked-about new dramas.

Produced by Tshedza Pictures, The Four of Us centres on the powerful Dhlomo family, where buried secrets, unresolved tensions and battles for power threaten to unravel the family’s legacy. The cast is led by acclaimed actors Sindi Dlathu and Sdumo Mtshali, alongside Thembinkosi Mthembu and a talented ensemble of established and emerging South African performers.

The series now occupies e.tv’s coveted 8 PM weekday slot, previously held by the long-running soapie Scandal!, which remained a fixture on South African screens for more than two decades.

Through the agreement, viewers can watch new episodes of The Four of Us on e.tv at 8 PM CAT, with each episode becoming available on Netflix across Africa the following day from 9 AM CAT. The model offers audiences greater flexibility while significantly extending the reach of local content beyond traditional television audiences.

The partnership reflects the evolving African media landscape, where broadcasters and streaming platforms are increasingly working together to amplify local stories and make them accessible to wider audiences. It also highlights growing opportunities for South African productions to travel beyond national borders while maintaining their local identity.

“This is an important milestone for eMedia as we continue to evolve our content strategy and meet audiences wherever they choose to watch,” said Marlon Davids, Chief Content Officer at eMedia. “Working with Netflix enables us to take our content further, while continuing to deliver strong local entertainment to the free-to-air audiences at the centre of what we do.”

For Netflix, the agreement reinforces its ongoing investment in African storytelling and its commitment to showcasing stories created on the continent.

“This licensing agreement with eMedia marks an exciting new chapter in our commitment to bringing the best of South African storytelling to our members,” said Ben Amadasun, VP of Content for the Middle East & Africa at Netflix. “As we celebrate 10 years in Mzansi, we believe that e.tv’s creative ambition and Netflix’s passion for African stories can open a new era for South African content – one that resonates across the continent and beyond for generations to come.”

While The Four of Us is the first title to be announced under the partnership, both companies have indicated that additional opportunities will be explored over time, creating new pathways for locally produced content to reach audiences across Africa.

As the lines between traditional broadcasting and streaming continue to blur, partnerships such as this one signal a promising future for South African content creators, producers and audiences alike, one where local stories can find a home on both national screens and global platforms.