South Africa’s public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), now owes state-owned signal distributor Sentech R1.8 billion (approximately US$109.6 million), according to Sentech chief executive Tebogo Leshope’s parliamentary briefing. The liability has continued to grow from R1.7 billion (US$103.5 million) and earlier balances of R1.6 billion (US$97.4 million), R1.5 billion (US$91.3 million) and R1 billion (US$60.9 million), reflecting years of persistent underpayment for transmission services.
Sentech reportedly bills the SABC approximately R71 million (US$4.32 million) a month, but the broadcaster pays R41 million (US$2.50 million) or less. The short payments began in 2020 and have continued, placing increasing pressure on a signal distributor that relies on payments from broadcasters to sustain its operations. Sentech reported a R60 million net loss for the 2025/26 financial year, despite reducing its loss substantially from the previous year.
The dispute is compounded by the absence of a signed master transmission agreement between the two state-owned entities. SABC chief executive Nomsa Chabeli has acknowledged that no such agreement is in place, leaving the contractual basis of a critical national broadcasting relationship unresolved. While Sentech has not announced a signal switch-off date, Leshope has warned that the financial position is unsustainable and that negotiations must continue.
The stakes extend beyond the finances of the two organisations. Sentech provides the infrastructure underpinning the SABC’s digital terrestrial television (DTT) services and radio transmission network. Any disruption could affect audiences’ access to public-service broadcasting, including news, educational programming and coverage of major national events. The risk is particularly significant as South Africa approaches local government elections, when reliable public information services are essential.
Government funding has offered some interim relief, but has not resolved the underlying structural problem. In February 2026, National Treasury allocated funding to Sentech, including R700 million (approximately US$42.6 million) earmarked to address signal-distribution pressures and a further R189 million (US$11.5 million) for the continued operation of analogue and digital television transmission during the migration period. The funding was intended to support operations rather than eliminate the broader financial and contractual challenges.
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies and National Treasury now face pressure to help establish a sustainable settlement. Without a credible repayment arrangement, a formal transmission contract and a long-term funding model for the SABC, the debt threatens the financial stability of both entities and leaves an essential part of South Africa’s broadcasting infrastructure exposed.
