In South Africa, the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies chair, Khusela Sangoni, has warned that the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) is still facing a potential crisis if its funding model is not addressed promptly.
The public broadcaster relies heavily on revenue from airtime sales, content exploitation, and advertising, which accounts for 83% of its revenue. Additionally, government grants and TV license fees contribute 56% of its funding, with 45% from government grants and 11% from TV license revenue.
Despite the persistent financial challenges, the SABC is resolutely working towards improving its financial situation. It has reported a loss of US$61 million in 2023/24 and is determined to reduce its losses in the current financial year. The broadcaster is actively engaging with the Portfolio Committee to explore alternative funding options and review its funding model. Although no decisions have been made, the SABC is steadfast in its aim to return to profitability by March 2028.
One key initiative in the SABC’s plan for financial recovery is its promising revamped streaming platform, SABC+, which is projected to reach over half a million users by March 2025. Additionally, the exploration of a more efficient mechanism for TV license payments is crucial, especially with evasion rates rising from 69% in 2019 to 87% in 2023/24. To address this issue, the SABC has proposed the introduction of a household levy, which would be payable by households with access to SABC services, irrespective of their usage.
Diverse opinions exist on how to reform the SABC’s funding model. The communications minister, Solly Malatsi, has suggested integrating TV license fees with other license fees to enhance collection. However, these suggestions are still at the idea stage, not official policy announcements.
