Cell C’s new online reality show Hangman looking for SA’s next top innovator

Cellular provider Cell C yesterday opened entries for Hangman, a new online reality show which aims to uncover South Africa’s top innovator, with R1-million in prize money.

“Cell C’s strategic focus is around bringing relevance to the South African market through service offerings,” said Cell C CEO Jose Dos Santos, in a press release.

“A key focus is providing value-added services and segmented content that is being consumed daily online. Customers are hungry for new, unique, fresh and entertaining content,” he said.

With this in mind, Cell C embarked on producing the 10-part Hangman series which represents a new genre in unscripted entertainment and follows on Cell C’s first online Break the Net reality talent show which streamed on the service provider’s Cell C Reality App last year.

The show puts viewers in the driver’s seat. By “investing” in a virtual stock exchange, viewers can help determine the outcome of the show, while standing in line to win viewer prizes including a car.

‘It’s breakneck entertainment that sees contestants put their bodies on the line in the pressure cooker of innovation’

Hangman consists of two different content streams. The first is the actual reality online series which is streamed live online.

Contestants will have to prove their mettle through a series of challenges, while having to win the approval of “Backers” — captains of industry and investment. These include businesswoman Phuti Mahanyele, economist Iraj Abedian, self-made billionaire Quinton van der Burgh and Bonang Mohale, chairman of Shell SA.

“It’s breakneck entertainment that sees contestants put their bodies on the line in the pressure cooker of innovation and turns viewers into real-time investors,” says Bl!nk Pictures director Odette Schwegler who was commissioned by Cell C to produce Hangman.

“We are not seeking out a great businessman looking for an investment for a daily run-of-the-mill business or the sharp up-and-coming exec looking for a six-figure salary. It’s all about the innovators,” she adds.

Hangman is open to anyone who lives and works in South Africa. To participates viewers must download the Cell C Reality App on Android or iOS to access the shows and to register for the competition. Access within the App will be zero rated for Cell C customers. Any breakout from the app will be charged as per current data depletion.

The Cell C Reality App is designed with a built-in points programme where points are awarded when customers download and interact within the app. Points are awarded for every week customers are active in the app, every time a video is viewed, when they create a profile, and more.

The second stream comes in the form of a stock exchange called “The Exchange”. Viewers can immerse themselves in the show, meet the Backers, be inspired by successful innovators and get expert business insights. To take part in the outcome of the show, win prizes and rewards, viewers can become virtual investors by trading on The Exchange.

All customers who download the Cell C Reality App automatically receive 100 000 points which they can use to participate in the ‘The Exchange’. Points are allocated to play the game. Customers can win a variety of prizes by playing the game. Prizes include a car, smartphones, data, cash and vouchers.

The innovator who succeeds in garnering the support of the backers, while rallying viewer or investor sentiment, stands the chance of walking away with a R1-million cash prize.

Entries close on 21 July with the show streaming online between 9 October and 11 December. Contestants and viewers do not need to be a Cell C customers to play or download the app. Cell C customers will however receive bonuses for participating and viewing the show.

Featured image: Hangman backer billionaire Quinton van der Burgh with the show’s host Maps Maponyane (Yolanda van der Stoep)