ABOUT
Carte Blanche is the M-Net pay channel's flagship magazine and actuality programme, broadcasting throughout southern Africa during primetime viewing on Sunday evenings.
The programme, produced by Combined Artistic Productions, has become an institution among South African television audiences since the programme's inception in 1988. The show consistently ranks in the top 10 on M-Net and enjoys a large local viewership every week.
Carte Blanche has developed a high degree of credibility in South African television journalism and has been awarded more than 230 local and international awards for quality stories that have made a difference. In August 2008, to commemorate 20 years on air, Carte Blanche launched the Making a Difference Trust.
As the name suggests, Carte Blanche covers a variety of subjects and prides itself on the diversity and depth of its stories. Stories range from investigations into abuse of the vulnerable, to the inspiring determination of South African sports personalities, both abled and disabled. Carte Blanche is also known to go undercover in tracking and arresting high-profile criminals, or to take time out to explore the edges of existence.
The programme was originally anchored by Ruda Landman and Derek Watts - both enjoyed the status of longest-running anchors on South African television. In 2007, Ruda left the team, but Derek stayed on until his death in 2023.