Recap To The Decade: SABC Delays Launch Of New Channels On DStv Because They Want More Money

In 2020, the public broadcaster unveiled their first TV channel in over 10 years, SABC Education. It is meant to serve as a curriculum vitae based channel like Mindset while as serving content already seen on SABC 1-3 including Skeem Saam, Afro Cafe and Matric Reloaded.

This was one of the confirmed TV channels to be beamed on DStv and StarSat. Of course, that wasn't the case as the channel is still accessible on the SABC+ streaming service and through DTT with some content as mentioned accessible on the public broadcaster's most viewed brands.

A lot of mystery still surrounds the sudden disappearance of SABC Education as you had StarSat listing it on their website which had since then been scrapped while as MultiChoice continue to make it accessible on the iPlate section (or test channel section) of DStv.

At first, several consumers thought that MultiChoice had paused the launch of the channel as they await the public broadcaster to rollout more new channels and now the blame shifts toward the public broadcaster after demanding that pay-tv companies pay for SABC 1-3.

Since last year, South African TV regulator ICASA had granted SABC rights to demand carriage fees for their 3 channels on DStv. Although SABC Education much less SABC Sport aren't included in this ruling it is believed that the pending agreement is pausing the distribution of these brands.

Last year, e.tv's 4 channels were removed from DStv and SABC Education alongside the rest of SABC's portfolio was said to be used as collateral. According to sources, SABC is demanding more money and the current offer imposed by MultiChoice seems under budget.

It has been learnt by MultiChoice that the public broadcaster makes R500 million or better yet half a billion in advertising with just their 3 channels. Apparently half a billion is not enough to cover for their expenses or get some decent content people would watch.

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