As global streaming platforms, technology companies, and artificial intelligence providers increasingly shape how content is produced, distributed, discovered, and monetised, African broadcasters face a strategic question: would they have greater influence if they negotiated collectively?
This question will take centre stage at the Broadcasters Convention – Southern Africa 2026, taking place from 22–25 October 2026 at Avani+ Barbarons, Mahé, Seychelles, convened by Broadcast Media Africa (BMA) in partnership with the Southern Africa Broadcasting Association (SABA) and hosted by the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC).
The session, “Strength in Numbers: Should African Broadcasters Bargain Collectively with Global Platforms and AI Companies?”, will examine whether greater collaboration among African broadcasters could help the industry secure stronger commercial, technological and strategic terms when engaging with some of the world’s most powerful digital platforms and technology providers.
African broadcasters increasingly depend on global platforms for distribution, audience reach, advertising, cloud infrastructure, content discovery, and AI-enabled tools. At the same time, these platforms have access to increasingly valuable African content, audiences and data.
This creates an opportunity — but also a potential imbalance in negotiating power.
The discussion will explore whether broadcasters could benefit from collective approaches to content licensing, platform distribution, data and audience measurement, advertising revenue, AI technologies, cloud services, and the use of broadcaster archives and intellectual property in AI development.
It will also consider the practical challenges of collective bargaining, including differences in regulation, market size, public-service mandates, commercial priorities and technological maturity across African broadcasters.
“The question is no longer simply whether African broadcasters should adopt global platforms and AI technologies, but whether they can engage with these companies on more balanced terms,” said Broadcast Media Africa. “There is significant value in Africa’s content, audiences and intellectual property. The industry needs to consider whether greater cooperation could help broadcasters capture more of that value.”
The session will form part of the Convention’s broader examination of how African broadcasters can remain competitive and sustainable as the media ecosystem becomes increasingly shaped by global technology companies, artificial intelligence and digital platforms.
The Broadcasters Convention – Southern Africa 2026 will bring together broadcasters, media executives, technology providers, regulators, content producers and industry stakeholders from across Africa and beyond for discussions on the future of broadcasting and media.
