Free State TV (FSTV) was founded by community media activists in 2008, following the release of regulations governing the community television sector in South Africa by the broadcasting regulator, ICASA. These activists formed the Free State Community Television Station (FSCTS), which consisted of a grouping of organisations working in the field of community media.
The station engaged in a process of ongoing discussions aimed at creating a community television channel for Free State, based on principles of social development, democracy, justice and human rights. Consultations were held with other civil society organisations and the wider public, which resulted in the organisation being formally launched at its first AGM in July 2017. This was attended by over 50 representatives from the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) in Welkom.
The organisation first approached the national public service broadcasters, the government, and the commercial service broadcasters for a programming 'window' which would be viewed only in the Free State regions. This approach was rejected and the organisation then decided to stage its own broadcast in social media.
Up to this time, the only community TV broadcasts which had been allowed in South Africa were temporary broadcasts of up to four weeks in duration, which were linked to "special event" licenses.
ICASA began issuing longer "temporary" licenses of up to one year in 2007, when it licensed Soweto TV in Johannesburg for a 12-month period July of that year. Consequently, the FSCTS decided to also pursue a one-year license because this would provide a firmer foundation for a permanent community television channel. Application for such license where made in 2017 but placed on hold and promised will be granted after the migration of analogue to digital system is complete by ICASA, although the channel is only able to launch in 16 June 2025.
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The channel will began its broadcasting with one hour of programming, which will be repeated throughout the day for a two-week period. Thereafter programme hours will steadily increases until the channel is able to do its broadcasting 24 hours per day, although many programmes will be repeated due to a shortage of available content.
The channel does not have a budget for content acquisition, so all programmes are acquired free of charge from individuals, production houses, organisations and government agencies.
FSTV CEO, Dilano Lebajoa, says the channel will cover 85% of neighbourhoods in Free State province. Broadcasting will be on a digital frequency as an independent channel aimed distribution from a hired Sentech Ltd. transmitter. The main focus will be on issues affecting residents in the province.
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"There are a number of issues affecting local communities and we hope to take them up with the municipalities. We did intensive research and identified that are structures we can work with to strengthen the provincial economy".
Why work with FS TV - Channel?
While FSTV has conditional broadcasting rights, producers retain all or a percentage of their IP rights. You won’t get that deal on mainstream TV. Producers are given access to airtime and independently verified viewership numbers which can be leveraged to monetise their shows on a revenue-share basis. You won’t get that opportunity on YouTube unless you have an enormous reach.
Producers can sell the sponsorship rights in their shows as well as a number of advertising spots inside and outside their programmes. You get support from FSTV’s sales department and you get access to other giant media sales house who will present your show to ad agencies.
FSTV will provide access to studio facilities and additional technical support.
FSTV will also partner with producers to market their shows and the channel as a whole.
Why, you might ask yourself, is FSTV offering such a great deal?
Because we are striving to be licensed as a non-profit, community television channel aimed to serve you and the needs of others! South Africa’s Constitution recognises that communication is a democratic right and guarantees you freedom of expression. Are you convinced yet?
Programming on FSTV
The channel has developed innovative programming practices that incentivise and support local producers to produce, distribute and monetise content that meets the needs of the audience we serve through a bottom-up approach.
Contribution types:
Established independent producers with capacity to produce their own shows,
Emerging producers or individuals with subject-matter expertise who wish to access FSTV’s resources to produce shows.
Hyper-local community TV initiatives serving the needs of localised audiences.
NGOs wishing to develop education and advocacy programmes.
Producers serving the needs of specific interest groups such as women and sport.
Free State TV takes four kinds of programme content such as acquired content, independent productions, co-productions and music videos.
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