SABC Wants To Launch An Openview Competitor, Might Require A TV License

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A decade ago, SABC had planned to launch its own DTT platform which would be rivaling with eMedia Investments' Openview platform before seeking comfort with Sentech. This platform would feature SABC 1-3 and their 19 radio stations with e.tv exempted from the lineup. 

There were also plans for SABC to expand its linear offering with 18 additional channels which included SABC 4, SABC 5 and SABC Movies all of which got scrapped with SABC Education and SABC Sport entering fruition. 

These endeavors had been delayed with eMedia Investments that forged ahead with its rival offering Openview which extends its reach to more than 3 million households. With the impending demise of analogue transponders SABC is hoping to lure these consumers with its own DTT platform. 

The SABC said it wants to enhance the broadcasting landscape and deliver on its digital transformational journey with an integrated free-to-air Direct to Home (DTH) platform will enable the SABC to be in control of its destiny. They are seeking bidders in the hopes to get this idea of the ground.

Bidders are likely to partner with MultiChoice or Sentech in order to access the satellite space. Although it will be a rival offering to Openview, the unnamed platform will likely require consumers to present a TV license with an option for those without as seen with SABC+.

With the current economic climate, SABC will have a tough road ahead if they want these endeavors to succeed. Firstly more households are opting for streaming, so it would be difficult for them to grow organically in a market where DStv and Openview are dominant.