Impending Analogue Switch-Off Poses Major Risks for SABC and Free-to-Air Broadcasters in South Africa

The SOS: Support Public Broadcasting Coalition has raised significant concerns regarding South Africa’s planned analogue TV switch-off set for December 31, 2024, which could negatively impact millions of viewers and public broadcasters, especially the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). According to SOS Coalition coordinator Uyanda Siyotula, the SABC has already lost about 40% of its audience due to analogue signal cut-offs in certain provinces, and this figure could rise over 60% as the remaining provinces follow. This audience reduction exacerbates the SABC’s financial issues, as the broadcaster expects a R590 million loss this year despite improvement from previous years.

In support of SOS, eMedia CEO Khalik Sheriff acknowledged the eventual necessity of the analogue switch-off but argued that around 4.3 million households still rely on analogue signals, often lacking the means for digital migration. Sheriff suggested that the government should reduce this dependency to around one million households before the switch-off. Both the SOS Coalition and eMedia emphasise that a premature switch-off would violate citizens’ right to access information, limiting access for millions.

The SABC’s financial strain has led it to propose a new funding model, potentially involving a household levy. This levy would be mandatory, collected possibly by the South African Revenue Service or through subscription services like DStv. However, MultiChoice, DStv’s parent company, opposes this idea, claiming it would be “unprecedented and unworkable.” Meanwhile, the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has signalled support for revising the SABC’s funding model to ensure its sustainability in a transitioning broadcast landscape.