The iconic lifestyle show partners with Corona to celebrate 100 Years Under the Sun and spotlight South Africa’s most beautiful beaches

Cape Town, November 5^th, 2025 – South Africa’s most beloved lifestyle television show, Top Billing, made a glamorous return to the spotlight this week with an exclusive reunion event held at the breathtaking Tintswalo Atlantic hotel in Hout Bay. Hosted against the backdrop of ocean waves and golden light, the evening celebrated Top Billing’s legacy – and a new chapter that will see the show back on air with a Reunion Special on 27 November at 19h00 on S3, followed by weekly episodes from March 2026.

Presented in partnership with Corona, the event marked a shared moment of optimism and nostalgia as both brands celebrated milestones – Top Billing’s highly anticipated return and Corona’s global centenary: 100 Years Under the Sun. The collaboration also unveiled the Corona Beach 100, a global initiative spotlighting the world’s most breathtaking coastlines.

Four South African beaches have proudly earned their place on this prestigious list: Nature’s Valley, Kraal Baai, Boulders Beach, and Camps Bay. These destinations will feature prominently in the Top Billing Reunion Special, as the presenters set out to rediscover the country’s coastal treasures – a fitting tribute to the show’s hallmark blend of travel, lifestyle, and inspiration.

The evening brought together Top Billing Reunion Special presenters Ryle De Morny, Jonathan Boynton-Lee, and Fezile Mkhize, alongside former hosts Basetsana Kumalo and Michael Mol, Executive Producer Patience Stevens, and other distinguished guests from South Africa’s entertainment and creative industries.

Until its final episode in 2019, Top Billing was the longest-running entertainment and lifestyle television programme in South Africa, airing for 27 years from 1992. It was considered a flagship show for S3 and became synonymous with excellence, elegance, and aspirational living.

Patience Stevens, Executive Producer and CEO at Cardova, reflected on the journey that brought Top Billing to this milestone moment: “Top Billing came so far from the very first broadcast done in a tiny edit suite at the SABC to filming in the most magnificent houses in the country – and indeed the world – reflecting the best of South African talent in design, architecture, art, fashion, travel, entertainment, and sport. TV audiences were inspired to excel, and we often hear top achievers say how watching Top Billing gave them the vision and courage to make their own dreams come true. It is wonderful to be back and to once again promote South Africa and South Africans to the world – to show that we truly have the best of the best.”

Building on that reflection, COO at Cardova, Bradley van den Berg shared how the revival of Top Billing also represents a modern reimagining of how South Africans consume media: “Top Billing’s return is only made possible by the strong interest from advertising partners and brands that see the power of having an association with Top Billing and with S3. We’re looking forward to bringing the brand back not only on TV but also digitally – expanding on the show’s strong social media presence and connecting with audiences wherever and however they consume content. We are excited to be working with Corona on this project now and into 2026.”

The Top Billing x Corona partnership symbolises more than a content collaboration – it’s a meeting of values: both brands celebrate beauty, craftsmanship, and the joy of living meaningfully in harmony with nature.

Melanie Nicholson, Head of Brand at Corona South Africa, reflected on that shared philosophy: “Top Billing has always celebrated the beauty of South Africa – its landscapes, its people, and its sense of possibility. As Corona marks 100 Years Under the Sun, this partnership perfectly reflects what we stand for: a return to nature, simplicity, and joy. Through the Beach 100 platform, we’re proud to celebrate South Africa’s most iconic beaches with a show that encourages reconnection and spurs adventure.”

Adding to that perspective, Dichaba Phalatse, Marketing Manager: Video Entertainment at SABC, emphasized how the partnership strengthens South Africa’s cultural narrative on a global stage: “Top Billing remains a cultural touchstone – an aspirational window into the best of South Africa. Its return, in collaboration with a global lifestyle brand like Corona, reminds us that local storytelling can still inspire global wonder. We’re thrilled to bring this magic back to viewers.”

As the sun set over the Atlantic, guests raised their glasses to a new dawn for Top Billing — one that celebrates South Africa’s coastal beauty, craftsmanship, and culture, all under the glow of Corona’s golden hour.

Broadcast Details:

Top Billing Reunion Special airs 27 November at 19h00 on S3, with weekly episodes returning March 2026, also available on SABC Plus.

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR:

Broadcast Details

* Date & Time: Thursday, 27 November 2025 at 19h00

About Corona Global:

The world’s most valuable beer brand (*Brand Finance report 2025), Corona, an AB InBev global brand, is the iconic beer brand that is synonymous with paradise with a presence in 180 countries. Recognized as the world’s most valuable beer brand in Kantar’s BrandZ global 2024 rankings, Corona invites the world outside, beckoning you to reconnect with your essential nature and embrace the simple pleasures of life. But it’s not just about the beer – it’s about the ritual. The ritual of adding a slice of lime to your Corona, an experience that elevates the moment. Corona isn’t just a beverage; it’s nature in a bottle. And we strive to help protect nature and have become the first global beverage brand with a net-zero plastic footprint. This builds on our longstanding ambition to help protect the world’s oceans and beaches from plastic pollution. Every sip of Corona is a celebration of nature and the beauty of the world around us.

About South African Breweries:

The South African Breweries (SAB) has reimagined what a beer company can be and has anchored this in a powerful brand purpose – We Dream Big to Create a Future With More Cheers. At SAB it’s always about more than the beer. We are driven by our passion to demonstrate the unique power of beer to propel South Africa forward. Since our inception over a century ago, SAB has grown to become South Africa’s largest brewer, a powerful economic contributor, a leader in sustainability, and a champion of responsible consumption. SAB is one of South Africa’s admired companies and corporate brands. The company operates 7 breweries and 42 depots in South Africa, a total workforce of approximately 5 000, and supports a beer economy ‘from seed to sip’ of over 250 000 jobs. Its portfolio of beer brands meets the needs of a wide range of consumers and includes leading brands in beer and beyond such as Castle Lager, Carling Black Label, Corona, Brutal Fruit, and Flying Fish.

About S3

S3 is one of the SABC TV channels housed under Video Entertainment. With a daily average reach of 2.7 million viewers, S3 is one of the top 10 biggest channels in South Africa. The channel represents the progressive South African millennial and invites viewers to open up to a dialogue with the public broadcasting channel, fostering the spirit of curiosity and spearheading a generation of free thinkers and champions that frame of mind.

To view the teaser, click on the link below

https://fromsmash.com/q89je81Uoy-dt

For media enquiries:

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za

Synopsis:– Intrepid journalist Simon Reeve is off on a whole new adventure, embarking on a journey around the Caribbean Sea, home to some of the most exotic and enticing locations on Earth. Home to thousands of islands and a tropical mainland coast, the region is crammed full of history, conflict, culture, adventure, wildlife, glamour and colourful characters, giving Simon endless opportunities to explore. As he travels from the slums of Haiti to luxury holiday destinations; from the beaches of Barbados to the Venezuelan oil fields; from the jungles of St Vincent to the drug war in Honduras, Simon immerses himself in the countries and their contrasting cultures. In his trademark engaging style, he seeks out the people making their lives in these islands and coasts, discovers how things are changing, and highlights the huge variety and richness of this stunning part of the world.

Episode Highlights

Episode 1 – Monday, 3 November 2025

Simon begins his journey around the Caribbean on the island of Hispaniola and its two very different countries – the Dominican Republic, a tourist hotspot, and Haiti, the poorest country in the western hemisphere. He ends this first leg on Puerto Rico, a Caribbean island that is practically America’s 51st state. From flying boats to drug

busts, Simon explores both the light and dark sides of the Dominican Republic, the Caribbean’s most popular tourist destination. He joins the police anti-narcotics division on the front line in the war against international drug cartels in Santo Domingo before crossing the border to Haiti, where he visits the notorious tented camps of Cite Soleil.

Episode 2 – Tuesday, 4 November 2025

The second leg of Simon Reeve’s journey around the Caribbean Sea sees him start at beautiful islands and travel along the coast of South America. On the beautiful and wealthy island of Barbados, he meets the owner of a traditional chattel house who has turned down offers of millions of dollars from luxury property developers and dives the reef on a hunt for invading lionfish which are disrupting the delicate ecosystem. On the green volcanic slopes of St Vincent, Simon meets the marijuana growers hoping, like their prime minister, that the drug will soon be decriminalized.

Episode 3 – Wednesday, 5 November 2025

Simon begins his journey on the remote Caribbean coast of Nicaragua, travels to the beautiful Honduran island of Roatan and encounters extreme violence on the mainland of Honduras, before finishing his adventure on the iconic island of Jamaica. Nicaragua is a country on the brink of monumental change. It will soon be split in two by the world’s biggest construction project: a new transoceanic waterway set to rival the Panama Canal. Simon visits the Rama-Kriol people who face losing their ancestral homes and, in the nearby town of Bluefields, he meets the city-dwellers who believe the canal will bring long-hoped-for prosperity and wealth to the country. In Honduras, Simon dives into the crystal waters of the world’s second-largest barrier reef and conducts an unusual underwater experiment in the dead of night. Back on shore, Simon discovers Hondurans living in the grip of some of the most violent criminal gangs in the world.

Don’t miss the Caribbean With Simon Reevefrom Monday to Wednesday at 21:00 on S3 and SABC Plus.  

For media enquiries

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment 072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za

Synopsis:– John Simm stars as a man on the run, desperate to clear his name for the sake of his family in this edgy, fast-paced thriller. Detective Constable Marcus Farrow is a well-liked cop with a wife and two kids. But when Farrow is found at the scene of a brutal crime, with all the evidence pointing towards him, his world collapses. Arrested and charged, it seems his fate is sealed. So, when he gets the opportunity to escape, he seizes it with both hands. Now on the run, Farrow is a wanted man on the streets he used to police. Detective Sergeant Susan Reinhardt is tasked with catching him. So begins a high-stakes game of cat and mouse across the city. But Farrow is not just trying to evade capture. He is determined to clear his name. With the clock ticking, will Farrow stay free long enough to find the truth, or will Reinhardt get to him first?

Starring:- John Simm, Rosie Cavaliero, Craig Parkinson, Adrian Edmondson and Anastasia Hille.

Episode Highlights

Episode 1 – Monday, 3 November 2025

When DS Marcus Farrow looks into a seemingly forgotten case, he has no idea about the chaos and heartache that will soon follow. When Farrow is put in the frame for the murder of his wife and child he has no choice but to make an escape and clear his name. Desperate to be reunited with his eldest son Finn, Farrow does everything he can to get to the truth but with Acting DCI Susan Reinhardt in hot pursuit, how long will it be before Farrow’s caught?

Episode 2 – Tuesday, 4 November 2025

The widespread hunt for Farrow gains momentum when Reinhardt receives a tip off about his whereabouts. But just when Reinhardt thinks she has finally nailed Farrow he manages to escape once again. Farrow discovers some shocking truths about an old case and believes someone closer to home may know something about Abi and Max’s death.

Episode 3 – Wednesday, 5 November 2025

The hunt for Farrow comes to a dramatic climax when Reinhardt closes in on her prey. The guilt and weight of the investigation becomes too much for Devlin and just as time’s running out for Farrow he finally gets some answers but are they enough to clear his name.

Don’t miss Prey from Monday to Wednesday at 21:00 on S3 and SABC Plus.  

To view the promo, click on the link below,

https://fromsmash.com/Kh9OR~Dv5G-dt

For media enquiries

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za

Johannesburg – Friday, 24 October 2025 – S3 is pleased to announce that the channel will broadcast the Miss SA 2025 pageant live from the SunBet Arena, Times Square, in Pretoria on Saturday, 25 October 2025 at 19:00. The main event will be preceded by the AFI Red Carpet at 18:30.

Miss South Africa is a premier national beauty pageant aiming to empower young women to become leaders and change-makers through its flagship mission, Empower Youth Africa.

Hosted by powerhouses  Nomalanga Shozi and Pamela Mtanga, this year’s pageant promises to be a night of glamour, inspiration, and transformation, as nine talented finalists compete for the coveted title. Each finalist has committed to driving meaningful change in their communities, focusing on job creation, education, health, civic engagement, and Pan-African collaboration as part of the Empower Youth Africa movement.

The evening will feature top-tier entertainment by some of South Africa’s remarkable talent, including music, dance, and breathtaking local designs.

Viewers will be captivated by Ciza Nkululeko “Ciza” Nciza, Makhadzi, Lordkez Keziah Zoe Meyers, Demi Lee Moore, Karen Zoid, Langa Mavuso, Bucie, and Xolly Mncwango.

The miss SA top 9 contestants are Qhawekazi Mazaleni, Nelly Mashile, Luyanda Zuma, Nthabiseng Kgasi, Karabo Mareka, Ghee-Ann Rademan, Bridgette Jones, Zanele Phakathi and Gizelle Venske.

“As S3 we are excited to bring the 2025 Miss SA pageant to our viewers for the 3^rd year in row. We saw significant growth with the pageant last year and were proud to crown Mia and all that she represents in universal access, inclusion and health. We hope South Africans will tune in their numbers to see our new queen and cultural ambassador crowned live on S3 yet again.” – Sane Zondi, S3 Head of Channel.

Don’t miss the broadcast of the 2025 Miss SA on Saturday, 25 October 2025 at 19:00, on S3 and SABC Plus.

Miss SA pictures are available on the link below

https://fromsmash.com/eZ3iWLfhui-dt

To view the promo, click on the link below

https://fromsmash.com/VsCLSCyqZr-dt

For media enquiries:

Synopsis: Comedians and best friends Joel Dommett and Nish Kumar are back, taking on even tougher challenges. Joel might pride himself on his fitness and Nish on his knowledge – but how will they cope when they’re pitted against some of the toughest communities on the planet? As they explore their own masculinity in a series of frequently comic adventures, Joel and Nish attempt to tame wild horses with the Argentinian Gauchos, wrestle with the Sumo in Japan, and try to keep up with the strongmen of Tahiti.

Episode Highlights

Episode 1 – Monday, 20 October 2025

(Peru)

Joel Dommett and Nish Kumar trek through the Andes with the Peruvian porters. Their job is to carry the bags of tourists and set up camps before nightfall. The arduous journey through the mountains is all so they can meet the legendary Scissor Dancers, but the boys get more than they bargained for when they arrive.

Episode 2 – Tuesday, 21 October 2025

(Kodo)

Joel and Nish enroll in the Kodo drumming school on a remote island in Japan. To pass, students must undergo an intensive regime, waking up at dawn every morning to exercise, do chores and drums all day for two years. The daily tasks include cleaning the school and taking turns to cook for the class, while mobile phones and TV are strictly prohibited. Drumming takes discipline, rhythm and teamwork and only a handful of students will be selected at the end of the course.

Episode 3 – Wednesday, 22 October 2025

(Argentina)

Joel and Nish spend a week in the tough, no-nonsense world of the Argentinian Gauchos, learning how to ride horses and herd cattle across the South American Pampas. The Gauchos are expert horsemen and at the end of the week Joel and Nish’s mission is to camp out underneath the stars and join them on a cattle drive. But with almost no riding experience, Joel and Nish going to need to learn fast if they’re to have any chance of surviving the week!

Episode 4 – Monday, 27 October 2025

(Tahiti)

Joel and Nish go up against the rock lifters of Tahiti in a strongman competition on the remote island of Rurutu, where the events include a fruit race and a dance off. On the island they also meet “mahu” Philippe, the traditional French Polynesian role where men are raised with women to do domestic chores and are often called the third gender. Philippe talks about the struggles of being a “mahu” on a religious island.

Episode 5 – Tuesday, 28 October 2025

(Japan)

Joel and Nish travel to Tokyo to meet Japan’s professional sumo wrestlers. They are given exclusive access to a stable – the house where the fighters all live and train together before a big tournament. The boys then head to the remote Oki Islands where legend has it sumo was born and where the islanders learn sumo from childhood. Here, Joel and Nish sign up to a tournament against some of the island’s toughest wrestlers

Episode 6 – Wednesday, 29 October 2025

(New Zealand)

Joel and Nish join a gang of sheep shearers in New Zealand. Being a sheer involves brute strength and getting your hands very dirty. If the boys can’t shear then they’ll have to do one of the other tough jobs, from dragging to wool handling. No matter what role they have, everyone in the gang must be ready for a drink at the end of their shift.

Don’t miss Tribal Bootcamp Mondays – Fridays at 22:00, on S3 and SABC Plus.

To view the promo, click on the link below

https://fromsmash.com/uN_pmteVQB-dt

For media enquiries

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za

Johannesburg – Thursday, 16 October 2025 – S3 is pleased to introduce a new financial education programme titled The Getting Crypto Show on Saturdays at 15:00, starting 18 October 2025.

As cryptocurrency adoption accelerates across Africa, many South Africans still face a steep learning curve in understanding the fundamentals of blockchain, digital wallets, and decentralised finance. In response to this growing educational gap, Binance, the world’s leading blockchain ecosystem, launches a new crypto-focused show to make digital finance accessible to all. 

Hosted by South Africa’s very own Financial Bunny, Nicolette Mashile, The Getting Crypto will air six limited episodes. A first for Africa, the show will simplify cryptocurrency for everyday South Africans by breaking down complex concepts into plain, relatable language, without the complex tech jargon.

“Cryptocurrency doesn’t need to be intimidating or reserved for certain people. With The Getting Crypto Show, we aim to empower South Africans by demonstrating that crypto is not only understandable but also has numerous practical applications in their everyday lives locally. Many people are hearing about crypto but don’t know where to begin. We launched this show to help people build real confidence in understanding and using crypto as part of their financial future,” said Yande Nomvete, Operations Manager at Binance Africa.

Nicolette Mashile adds, “Crypto still feels complex and out of reach for many South Africans but it doesn’t have to be. With The Getting Crypto Show, we’re making the conversation part of everyday life, using clear language, practical examples, and relatable stories. Financial literacy is evolving, and digital assets should be part of that evolution.”

Sane Zondi, S3 Head of Channel remarks “Our viewers are change leaders and early adopters of innovation, and this is the next step. We’re moving past the basics, accelerating adoption, and helping them master the skills needed to confidently own the future of finance in a digital world. We can’t wait to hear the success stories—hopefully, the series inspires the acquisition of products and digital assets in our viewers’ lives in the months and years ahead.”

Co-hosted by Actor Anton David Jeftha, the series will cover everything from what cryptocurrency is and how to invest in it, to real-world applications like paying for groceries with Binance Pay at Pick n Pay, showcasing how digital assets such as Binance Pay can seamlessly integrate into daily life while transacting safely.

Each episode blends expert interviews, explainers, and community Q&As to ensure both newcomers and those already involved in crypto find value.

Open up with The Getting Crypto Show every Saturday at 15:00, on S3 and SABC Plus.

To view a promo, click on the link below: –  

https://we.tl/t-KxGcEActWZ

END

For media enquiries contact:

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za

Synopsis : Are ghosts real? Acclaimed writer and podcaster Danny Robins ventures back into the shadows to continue his spine-tingling search for the truth. From global smash-hit podcasts The Battersea Poltergeist and The Witch Farm, to West End sell-out shocker 2:22 A Ghost Story, Danny Robins’ infectious fascination for the supernatural continues to thrill and chill audiences far and wide. Now his television series exploring alleged hauntings returns for a new series of brave and bizarre investigations. Helping him examine the evidence are resident sceptic Dr Ciarán O’Keeffe and parapsychologist and believer Evelyn Hollow. Together, they try to help those who have experienced the inexplicable decide whether it was all in the mind… or if things really do go bump in the night.

Episode Highlights

Episode 1 – 16 October 2025

In the first case of this series, Danny Robins is joined in the studio by Liam, who grew up on a remote farm near Bury. His happy childhood was marred by ghostly sightings of a little boy and an overbearing, oppressive presence, making him so terrified that, even as an adult, he refused to go upstairs in his house alone. For years, nobody around Liam would acknowledge the strange and frightening activity. When his parents finally opened up, Liam discovered that not only had they seen things too – but that this had been going on for generations before him.

Episode 2 – 23 October 2025

Danny is joined by Sybil, the manager of a charity shop in the home counties. From the day she opened, Sybil felt a strange presence, which only heightened when other workers also said they sensed someone in the shop with them. As time went on and more workers had the same experience, activity began to ramp up. Things started to move in front of multiple witnesses, and when building work was done on the shop, the presence finally revealed itself – to terrifying effect. After the discovery of a hidden room, clues as to who this presence could be come to light.

Episode 3 – 30 October 2025

Danny is joined by Julian for what could be one of the scariest and most unsettling cases he’s ever investigated. After Julian’s family moved into a new house in Crofton near Wakefield in the early 90s, tragedy struck his family on multiple occasions, and a malign presence taking the form of a towering, terrifying shadow man seemed to appear to him and many of his friends. Danny looks into the cultural history of shadow figures, from Inuit folk history to modern internet phenomena, and asks Ciaran and Evelyn to help him unpack Julian’s unsettling account. Could these folkloric tales actually be based on facts?

Episode 4 – 6 November 2025

In the final case of the series, Danny is joined in the studio by Angela and her daughter Emily. They tell him about events that happened to them in the early 2000s when Emily was a child. A seemingly supernatural presence that began as what Angela thought was an imaginary friend, soon grew into something far more terrifying. Both Emily and her sister became too scared to sleep in their rooms, supposedly beset by the malign presence of an old man who threatened Emily and her family. When Angela’s friends and babysitters began to experience things too, refusing to return to the house, Angela worried for the safety of her daughter. Events escalated to the point where the family felt they were physically in danger. 

Don’t miss Uncanny on Thursdays at 22:00 on S3 and SABC Plus.

For media enquiries

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za

Synopsis: – Join Sara Davies, Fred Sirieix and Raj Somaiya as they embark on the search for the Ultimate Wedding Planner. Eight aspiring wedding planners battle it out to become Ultimate Wedding Planner, as six brave couples agree to let them take control of the biggest day of their lives.

The planners are set to take over the design and guest experience for six real-life weddings. From table scaping, incredible floral centrepieces, hand crafted aisle runners, personalised set menus, and bespoke themed installation builds to spectacular firework displays, acrobatics, choreographed dance troops or incredible light displays, each week the planners have just three days to make the couples’ wildest dreams a reality, supersizing their wedding day to transform it from ordinary to extraordinary.

With exclusive mentoring from industry expert Raj up for grabs, and an ultimate prize package designed to help one of them launch their own wedding business, let the battle to be named Ultimate Wedding Planner commence! Will it be wedded bliss or a nuptial nightmare?

Episode Highlights

Episode 1 – 12 September 2025

The competition gets off to an explosive start as the planners transform an industrial Concorde hangar. The gloves are off as they try to pull off the ultimate high-flying wedding.

Episode 2 – 19 September 2025

Tensions rise as the planners compete to create a sustainable farmyard festival wedding for one couple and their 94 animals – and it’s the final straw for one fledgling planner.

Episode 3 – 26 September 2025

It’s up to the wire as the planners battle to impress the judges and pull off a millionaire’s garden party for Lauren and Jodie.

Episode 4 – 3 October 2025

Sparks fly as the planners clash over plans for a multi-themed wedding, their toughest challenge yet. With two venues to arrange, can they pull together and impress the judges?

Episode 5 – 10 October 2025

With a place in the final at stake, it’s an adrenaline overload as the planners compete to transform wintry Worthy into a swinging 1950s LA beach party for Tash and Jay.

Episode 6 – 17 October 2025

The grand final and toughest challenge yet as two planners go head-to-head to pull off a wedding from scratch in just three days. Who will be crowned the Ultimate Wedding Planner?

Don’t miss Ultimate Wedding Planner on Fridays at 22:00, only on S3

For media enquiries

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za

Drink Masters is the first competition to showcase cocktails as liquid art and the mixology artists who make them.

Hosted by comedian Tone Bell and judged by two titans of the cocktail world, Frankie Solarik and Julie Reiner, Drink Masters will make you forget everything you think you know about cocktails.

Twelve talented mixologists from across North America, each with a dream to make their mark in the world of mixology, compete in a series of challenges designed to push their skills to the limit. Round after round, they’ll put their heart, talent and technique on the line to deliver mind-bending cocktails that redefine the genre. One by one, they’ll be eliminated until the winner claims the coveted title of Ultimate Drink Master and the life-changing grand prize of $100,000 cash prize. 

The Drink Masters contestants are Taoufike “Tao” Zrafi, Loyd Von Rose, Natalie Migliarini, Raj Shukla, Meredith Barry, Aisling Gammill, Kapri Robinson, Michael R. Anderson, Alex Velez, Kate Gerwin, Christian “Suzu” Suzuki-Orellana, and Lauren “LP” Paylor.  

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Episode 1 – 11 September 2025

The mixologists put their own spin on the world’s most popular cocktail, the Margarita. Later, in a dramatic Mix-Off Battle, one mixologist will be smoked out of the competition.

Episode 2 – 18 September 2025

The mixologists concoct colourful cocktails from an array of fresh fruit. And in a nerve-wracking Mix-Off battle, a sour classic cocktail will topple one more mixologist from the competition.

Episode 3 – 25 September 2025

Flowers and herbs abound as Cocktail King Dale DeGroff drops in to guest judge the mixologists in a blooming botanical cocktail challenge. Later, a Cosmopolitan Mix-Off battle leaves one mixologist in the dirt.

Episode 4 – 2 October 2025

Travel back in time to a raging prohibition party, full of showboating bartenders and guys and dolls looking to fill up on giggle water. Later, a nail-biting Canadian Rye Mix-Off Battle sends one mixologist packing.

Episode 5 – 9 October 2025

Guest judge and chocolatier Gonzo Jimenez encourages the mixologists to tap into their

sweetest side with a dessert cocktail challenge. Then, a caffeinated Mix-Off Battle hangs one mixologist out to dry.

Episode 6 – 16 October 2025

The quest for the Ultimate Drink Master kicks into hyperdrive in a jaw-dropping cocktail tournament that puts the mixologists’ skill, technique and speed to the test. Seven will become six after three fastpaced rounds of cocktail-making.

Episode 7 – 23 October 2025

The mixologists put their palates to the test with a food and drink pairing challenge as Chef Edward Lee joins the judging panel for an action-packed cocktail service. Later, in a tricky colour-inspired Mix-Off battle, one mixologist is blacklisted from the competition.

Episode 8 – 30 October 2025

Special guest judge Tiffany Barriere inspires the mixologists pour their passions into hot, spicy and delicious cocktails that bring the heat. Later, the chill

blast of a winter-themed Mix-Off Battle leaves one more mixologist out in the cold.

Special guest judge, bartender Tiffany Barriere inspires the mixologists to tap into their passionate side and create a hot and spicy cocktail.

Episode 9 – 6 November 2025

The mixologists target the finals with a flight of 3 cocktails made from the judges’ favourite spirits. Later, two mixologists must show off their signature style as they battle for the remaining spot in the Finale.

Episode 10 – 13 November 2025

The finalists pull out all the stops to create a delicious 3-course drink menu. Who will nab the crown? The three finalists must create an original 3-course drink menu to prove that they have what it takes to be the Ultimate Drink Master.

Catch Drink Masters every Thursday at 19:00,  only on S3.

For media enquiries

Caroline Phalakatshela

Publicity Specialist – Video Entertainment

072 382 2032/ phalakatshelamc@sabc.co.za