Entertainment Inside Us (Insidus): SABC Education

Showing posts with label SABC Education. Show all posts

Monday, April 5, 2021

Update: SABC And eMedia Investments Expanded Agreement

Back in March, SABC and eMedia Investments held a media launch to announce a new agreement which would see Openview customers get access to SABC Sport alongside two other channels as well as SABC's 19 radio stations.

Through a media enquiry they were able to shed some light on the following:

- SABC's 19 radio stations will launch from April 15th and join Openview's other existing radio stations.
- SABC Sport will launch 2 days after the radio stations which is April 17th on channel 124. This could add some variety in the sports section and make up for the loss of sports channels Openview had over the years.
- SABC 1-3 and Sport will reportedly be available in high definition. It is currently like that through DTT, DStv and TelkomOne.
- Viewers will be able to record their favourite shows.
- Two other channels will rollout on the platform in the coming months carrying "extensive" and "archived content".
- This deal is non-exclusive as predicted earlier since both MultiChoice and TelkomOne already carry their radio stations with Sport also being available on TelkomOne.

Last year, SABC launched an educational channel and were in talks with pay-tv platforms to make room for the channel. Perhaps this deal has something to do with its failure to launch within that year.

Maybe SABC planned to rollout these brands in phases I mean the idea doesn't seem far fetched. Last year, the only rollouts happened through streaming platforms with the likes of YouTube, social media even TelkomOne to help leverage their offering.

I mean SABC knew in 2018 that SABC Encore was getting discontinued last year and it's possible that the deal with SABC Education went a similar route and subscribers are waiting on a far-off date perhaps around the time Openview manages to rollout one of the other two channels in the coming months.

Could it also be possible that info regarding SABC Education was removed through Starsat's website and DStv's test channel section because SABC was renegotiating with them possibly to include other properties from their stable.

Friday, March 26, 2021

(Updated 25 June)Status: SABC Education On DStv And Starsat

SABC Education launched in May 2020 through YouTube and DTT decoders with digital streaming version accessible through the SABC Education portal and virtual academy.

At the time, SABC stated that more platforms will hopefully add the channel later. Through an interview they mentioned that they were in talks with the likes of MultiChoice and StarTimes in the hopes that they can open up space for the channel and that was a year ago.

Within that same year, SABC Education expanded to only 1 additional platform which is none other than Telkom's streaming service, TelkomOne while SABC Education appeared for several months on DStv's i-Plate section and StarSat's website.

From 2021, DStv scrubbed the channel's EPG from that area viewers only noticed it the channel's presence once MultiChoice had some system upgrades while Starsat removed all info about the channel through their website.

Through the info obtained from Starsat's website the channel would have occupied channel 313 on their Max, Special and Super package with DStv the suspected occupation was channel 316 (since it was the only available space last year) to all their DStv customers (including Easyview).

Through an enquiry regarding the channel's status on DStv and StarSat, it was stated that plans for their rollout are "still underway".

It's been over a year and they're still planning to launch them. Could it be possible that there's more to this deal that meets the eye I mean Telkom partnered up with SABC giving them SABC 1-3, Sports, Education and their 19 radio stations which can be found on DStv.

Updated section

In March 2021, SABC formed a partnership with eMedia Investments giving OpenView customers access to their sports channel and 19 radio stations alongside "two general entertainment channels".

Could these two entertainment channels be the reason for the delay. In an interview SABC COO mentioned that these two channels coming to OpenView are non-exclusive meaning they'll be transmitting them on other platforms as well.

Not much details have been unveiled about these two channels except for them supplying extensive and archived content with the goal of having 20% fresh content.

With that in mind, is it possible that SABC Education's fate lies on these one or two channels and that as long as SABC and eMedia Investments remain silent that viewers on DStv and StarSat should keep waiting. OpenView currently has the SD versions of SABC 1-3 could these channels switch to HD once these channels arrive.

4 years ago, e.tv launched their 4 channels (altogether) at the time on DStv. Could SABC be trying to do the same with SABC Sport, SABC Education and these two entertainment channels?

SABC And eMedia Investments Expand Partnership, Will MultiChoice And StarTimes Follow?

eMedia Investments, owners of free-to-air satellite service Openview, and the SABC have reached a business agreement that sees Openview continue to broadcast high-definition channels SABC 1, 2 and 3, as well as 3 additional television channels from the public broadcaster, as well as all 19 radio stations owned by the SABC.

The business agreement means that the SABC is officially entering the free-to-air satellite market, with SABC Sports Channel the first of the 3 additional SABC channels bring added to the Openview service.

SABC radio brands Ukhozi FM, Metro FM, Lesedi and Umhlobo Wenene are among the radio stations now also available on Openview, transmitted via digital broadcasting on a free-to-air basis.

Commenting on the new multi-year signal distribution and channel carriage agreement, eMedia Investments COO, Antonio Lee, says, "This is an exciting development for both the SABC and ourselves. The agreement ushers in a new level of collaboration between a private free-to-air satellite platform and public free-to-air broadcast services. There is no doubt it will boost the offering of Openview and will extend the SABC’s audience reach. We can now offer our Openview audience additional quality content and access to digital broadcast radio in the widest variety of languages possible in South Africa. We hope this is the start of a stronger and more fruitful relationship between Openview and the SABC".

SABC’s COO, Ian Plaatjes, adds, “This agreement enables the SABC to grow its channel offering and reach into the digital broadcasting space with three additional HD television channels. The first channel to be launched will be an SABC Sport Channel and will be distributed simultaneously across Openview, DTT, Telkom One and other streaming platforms. This collaboration will enable the SABC to optimally exploit its rich sport content rights and leverage the Openview reach to provide an improved integrated sport value proposition for our advertising clients across platforms. The agreement also enhances the distribution of SABC radio stations to create an increased value proposition for our radio advertising inventory. The other two TV channels, to be announced within the next 3 months, will leverage extensive SABC content and archived material.”

"The other two TV channels" "leverage extensive content and archived material" - SABC Education being the first with the other possibly being SABC Encore maybe it will launch under another new name perhaps or with an updated look. It would be shocking if it was SABC News.

Openview and the SABC believe that this agreement will expedite digital migration from analogue-only households to digital broadcasting platforms with more compelling free-to-air channels and content. Together with the DTT platform, Openview provides audiences with a free HD alternative to both analogue terrestrial and pay satellite options.

According to a source, this development was in talks with pay-tv platforms as well. SABC Education has been showing signs of launching and my guess was May which is the same time the channel launched.

Not long ago, even eMedia Investments entire set of channels were rumoured to be added onto DStv so far only 4 reside on that platform.

Friday, November 13, 2020

Review On SABC: Channels, Content And Management

SABC has been around for over 84 years, they started out as a radio service and expanded with 3 linear channels. Throughout those years, they've experienced and overcome various obstacles.

SABC began as a station for white folks as it was illegal include blacks in linear television until the early 90s where they positioned their 3 channels to cater for different groups (2.5 in general).

The first three channels from their stable carry a mix of local and "international" content:

SABC 1 is catered towards the black community which seems odd as South Africa since they reserve most of their airtime for one. They can be inclusive but lack diversity. If you want to sleep through your heritage then this is the place to be.

SABC 2, this channel caters towards the niche market specifically Afrikaans, Tsonga and Venda. For a niche station, they do a better job ignoring them and making them feel as small as they already are in numbers.

SABC 3 offers a variety of entertainment in English. The channel is your go-to place if you like the 80s or live under a rock and afraid to face society head-on.

The following aren't must carry like the three above but are operated by SABC as well:

SABC News, gives you live coverage of the latest news from South Africa. The channel is for the elderly as its informative and very reliable especially in politics. If you're not an entertainment junkie this channel fits your description.

SABC Sports, it's not what I anticipated from this brand, I was hoping that SABC would use this platform to promote fresh talent by giving them a platform to showcase their skills but no they'd rather just focus on the ones out on the field.

SABC Education, they're doing a remarkable job in this field the problem would have to be the timeslots for these programs.

International and Local

The international lineup is still impressive from my standpoint the problem would be the airtime for this I get why they're trying to force local content down our throats. In other countries, local is what dominates that region.

Local entertainment on SABC was dominating before Top Billing, High Rollers and Eastern Mosaic weren't cancelled. Now the broadcaster thinks soapies will be enough to keep them afloat.

Another reason for their failure

They're catering towards analogue viewers which is outdated and the government has been planning to discontinue but hasn't done as of yet.

Due to those delays, the broadcaster is failing to lure viewers online and through platforms like OpenView and DStv since there's more alternatives besides the 4 you'd pick up with only a TV set.

Monday, November 9, 2020

Telkom In Partnership With SABC Launch A Streaming Service

Telkom launches its TelkomONE video streaming service including linear TV channels with free package and R7 per day subscription; plans more bouquets and says 'we're here for the long run'.

Telkom that initially promised to do so on Thursday last week, on Monday launched its new TelkomONE streaming service, offering some linear TV channels in its offering, with a free version as well as a TelkomONE Amp subscription package that will cost R7 per day or R49 per month.

While currently only offering the free package that will carry advertising and one AMP subscription package, Telkom says it will expand over time to offer various different subscription fee packages.

The TelkomONE video-on-demand (VOD) service was built by Discover Digital and Telkom signed a 5-year contract with the SABC to carry SABC1 and SABC2 as linear TV channels, as well as a package of library content from the SABC archives for its video-on-demand service.

TelkomONE however carries more than just SABC content. The heavy local catalogue curated along the genres of lifestyle, comedy, music and reality TV content is flavoured with some international shows from Hollywood and independent overseas studios, and well as from South Africa locally.

TelkomONE is available through downloading it as a mobile app, internet browsers at telkomone.tv on personal computers, Android TV and Telkom's own Telkom LIT set-top box. Payment for TelkomONE can be done with Telkom airtime, adding it postpaid to fixed and mobile Telkom contracts, credit and debit cards, vouchers or cash.

Telkom declined to answer a media enquiry on Monday asked what the financial investment in rand has been so far in establishing TelkomONE as its video-on-demand service and for what period it will definitely be running it before evaluating its prospects and return on the investment to the telecom's bottom line.

Linear TV channels that will be streaming on TelkomONE include SABC1, SABC2, Kaya TV, SABC Sport, SABC Education, Mindset, Al Jazeera, africanews, Deutsche Welle, euronews, France24, RT, GOD TV, Hope Channel, Inspiration TV and SonLifeBroadcasting Network (SBN).

The SABC's 19 radio stations will also be streaming on TelkomONE including MetroFM, RSG, Umhlobo Wenene, 5FM, Thobela FM and Ukhozi FM.

Included in the TelkomONE AMP package users get an additional 30 curated audio playlists that is done by a Canadian service provider packaging and distributing African content.

Notably absent from TelkomONE is SABC3 because the streaming licensing rights for international content on the channel couldn't be cleared, as well as the SABC's own TV news channel SABC News.

Neither Telkom nor the SABC explained why SABC News isn't available although it's likely that although it is a public broadcaster channel, it was commissioned and is being paid for by MultiChoice for its DStv service.

The SABC will receive an annual channels carriage licensing fee for its linear TV and radio channels, as well as for the on-demand archive content, 10% of which the SABC will cycle and change monthly to keep it fresh. This deal includes 1000 of hours of VOD content.

The SABC will also share in the TelkomONE advertising revenue.

The SABC placing its content on TelkomONE is separate from the SABC's plan to launch its own SABC iPlayer video streaming service in 2021.

Sipho Maseko, Telkom CEO, says "TelkomONE will make it possible for subscribers to pause, go back into the electronic programming guide and time-shift, and instantly watch a scheduled TV show they may have missed. Telkom is making digital TV functionality available to all".

Madoda Mxakwe, SABC CEO, says "We believe that the transition to digital broadcasting and over-the-top (OTT) is a key strategy for the survival and relevance of the South African public broadcaster".

Stephen Watson, founding managing director of Discover Digital that built TelkomONE, says it contains technologies and functions that are first in the African market.

On the AMP package a subscriber can download 5 titles and a user have 48 hours to start watching.

Users can record content and shows from the live linear TV channels which will be recorded in the could and then appear in the account section under "my recordings".

Interestingly, if you've missed a show, users can now go back into the past with the free package on the EPG for 24 hours and select a show that was already broadcast, and it will play immediately. On the AMP package a TelkomONE viewer can scroll back on a specific linear TV channel as far as 3 days and still watch a specific show.

With TelkomONE the time-shifted PVR function is therefore no longer limited to consumers who can afford a set-top box with a hard drive.

TelkomONE will also offer a 4K channel broadcasting music festivals and says it will build out its 4K content offering over time. Within the free package TelkomONE will offer talk shows and music artists performing live, streamed in 4K resolution, which will be available to Telkom LIT box users.

After Telkom last week said "we're ready" and will launch on 5 November, Wanda Mkhize, Telkom's executive for smart home and content, told TVwithThinus about the postponement that "with us delaying the launch and actually launching today we had some technical and connection challenges on Thursday and unfortunately couldn't launch the platform and as such we made sure that we could at least deliver as soon as possible and that's why TelkomONE is launching today".

TVwithThinus also asked whether the TelkomONE app will also be added to MultiChoice's latest DStv Explora that will carry and offer a carousel of different VOD streaming services like Netflix, Showmax and Amazon Prime Video, or in terms of set-top boxes it will be limited to Telkom LIT.

Wanda Mkhize said that "Telkom and MultiChoice have had a longstanding relationship, we currently carry the DStv application on our Telkom LIT box, and relationships with regards to services and what we produce we would definitely continue having those conversations".

With the South African VOD landscape already littered with failures like VIDI, Altech Node, PCCW's OnTapTV, Kwesé Play and Kwesé TV and most recently Cell C black that sucked up hundreds of millions of rands without a return on investment, Wanda Mkhize, when TVwithThinus asked for how long TelkomONE will definitely be running, said "we're here for the long run".

"We've looked at the strategy, we've framed it in regards to introducing two bouquets right now. We have a future-view of introducing more bouquets, opening up and create greater access specifically to our fixed-line customers."

"We also believe and are following the strategy of being a super-aggregator which means that we believe that our customers need to have choice in regards to the services that they like to take up. Therefore we will be introducing more services onto the platform and giving our consumers- both mobile and fixed - more access."

Friday, July 31, 2020

SABC Education Might Be Available In August On DStv And Possibly Starsat

SABC launched an educational channel back in May on DTT and online platforms with more platforms scheduled to add it later.

SABC Education has been seen on the test channel section through DStv channel 950 for almost two months now alongside Starsat platform where it's numbered through their website on channel 313 and available to those who carry the Max, Special and Super package.

Recently, a viewer noticed that the channel no schedule on DStv starting from the 1st of August leading that individual to believe and possibly some viewers to believe that the channel will be made available on DStv by then.

Both DStv, Starsat and SABC were asked on the status of the channel on the platforms with DStv redirecting clients to SABC, Starsat with its "stay tuned for more information" and SABC with its constant silence.

My guess would be SABC Education launches tomorrow or sometime this month on channel 314 or more likely 316 and is made available to Easyview if not all customers with Starsat adding it around the same time if not sooner.

Saturday, May 23, 2020

New Channel Alert: SABC Education Coming Soon To DStv And StarSat

As you all know SABC Encore is getting canned on DStv and SABC told a user through a media enquiry that MultiChoice had already planned to can the channel in 2018 and knew of its demise long before the public. Now another SABC channel is expected to be added on DStv really soon which will also be available on StarSat.

SABC Education, as most already know launched earlier this month. At the time viewers could only recieve the channel through DTT and online platforms and through an interview at Expresso on SABC 3 with the general manager at SABC he mentioned that they were in negotiations with pay platforms so that they can hopefully carry the channel.

Now it looks like DStv will be one of those pay platforms to carry the channel alongside StarSat. So far no release date has been issued yet on both sides but StarSat will add it on channel 313 my guess would be from 1st June around the time SABC Encore gets terminated and channel 316 could be it's channel number for DStv since some parts of Africa allocated a channel in that section.

StarSat hasn't responded to the media regarding the channel while MultiChoice is oblivious about it with regards to SABC Encore as SABC stated through an enquiry they are exploring the possibility of carrying the channel through another platform and StarSat has become that platform that usually sources reject or scrapped channels from DStv like AMC, Toonami, Glow TV just to name a few so they might add it.

SABC Education carries repeats from SABC 1-3 as well as archived content. As bad as it may sound the channel is beneficial for children's education. The good thing about these repeats, they don't have a lot of timeslots on the main SABC channels.

Friday, May 8, 2020

SABC Education: Description And Review

SABC launched their 6th long awaited channel SABC Education admist the pandemic to keep children learning through DTT, YouTube and SABC's platform.

The channel carries 21 programs currently and formerly seen on SABC 1-3 including One Day Leader S7, Inside The Baobab Tree S4, iSpani S8, Geleza Nathi S9, The Epic Hangout, Words And Numbers S8, Made In SA S5, 100% Youth S4, Hectic Nine-9 S9, Game Plan S1, Daily Thetha S2, The Magical World Of Luna Belle S3, 48 Hours S8, Xcellerate S2, Battle Of The Vs S1, Making Moves S8, It's For Life S9, TOMZ S11, Living Lands S9, Destination SA S5, Mapungubwe S1 and DBE Learning.

SABC CEO confirmed in an interview that they are negotiating with partners in regards to the addition of SABC Education for now the channel faces problems with regards to accessibility since most households can't afford to live stream lessons currently seen on the channel.

The channel's schedule format is similar to PBS Kids (DStv channel 313) except there's no animation or exclusive content - just another encore channel. The advantage is these repeats help those who missed out on an episode. Even though SABC has been overshadowed for many years, education has always been a part of the brand even though most people with pay-tv platforms moved on from SABC their programs have touched a lot of youth throughout the decade.

For those who were expecting to see series like Naruto, Ben 10 or A.N.T. Farm this is not the channel even though it's for kids they aren't educational. Before SABC had financial woes they plotted to launch 18 channels including a children (SABC Children) and an education channel (SABC Education). Judging by SABC Education this channel may be SABC's version of Mindset and since Uzalo and Skeem Saam are part of the brand it is going to be confusing on which station will air older seasons of the show since SABC Encore exists and if SABC Education is interested in adding those type of series with it being treated more like an accessory than a premium channel.

Thursday, April 30, 2020

SABC Education To Launch On DTT And YouTube, Might Launch Elsewhere

The South African public broadcaster as part of its digital terrestrial television (DTT) offering will launch a new TV channel, SABC Education, on 4 May that will initially be available for streaming on YouTube and be available for free through DTT decoders.

SABC Education is the first new TV channel that the broadcaster is launching besides its SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3 channels set, as well as its SABC News (DStv 404) and SABC Encore (DStv 156) channels carried on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV service.

SABC Education will carry educational programming from the department of education, archived shows from the SABC library, as well as educational programmes seen and available on SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3.

The SABC says that other platforms for SABC Education will hopefully be added later. SABC Education will be a linear DTT TV channel, with additional educational programming that will be streamed on digital platforms.

The digital streaming of the channel will be carried using the SABC Education portal, SABC Education Virtual Academy (SEVA), social media like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and other SABC channel websites.

Madoda Mxakwe, SABC CEO, says in a statement that "The launch of the channel is timely, as the nation requires these interventions to fill gaps that have been created by Covid-19 related adjustments. In particular, this initiative will ensure that education and learning continues outside the traditional classroom environment".

"The introduction of the SABC Education channel is in line with our education strategy which has been in the pipeline for some time."

Friday, April 24, 2020

What Would SABC Education And SABC Children Be Today If They Got Their Standalone Channels

As some of you already know the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has been going through a ruff patch for nearly a decade. From being the dominant player in the free-to-air market into a debt flooded corporation.

Before that whole mess came into affect both SABC and e.tv plotted to launch their own STB which included growing the number of FTA channels while SABC decided to wait for digital migration to take effect, e.tv on the other hand went ahead and launched their STB becoming an even more dominant player in the market.

SABC made the mistake of waiting, part of that may have to do with the whole debate regarding the encryption of the STBs. Even if this platform were to arrive in 2020 it would be very difficult for them to make a huge impact if they want TV licence holders and the fact that OpenView has lured potential customers with the last option being streaming services like Showmax and Netflix makes it kind of difficult.

The channels SABC plotted to have were 2 regional type channels, a sports channel, a movie channel and education channel with majority of those plans scrapped for a sports channel along with language based channels which also got scrapped for sports yet again, education returns then you have a health channel again, a parliamentary channel and a history channel. So far SABC Encore and News are the only additional channels they've managed to launch through DStv with the over delayed sports channel on a test phase through DTT platforms.

Two years after Encore's arrival, SABC signed a deal with an African online platform nobody heard off called Tuluntulu. That supplied a variety of online channels this introduced SABC Education and Children.

SABC Education, judging by the name you already know this channel was set to be an educational channel by now this brand shouldn't be new to anyone if you watch Uzalo and Skeem Saam you would have seen this brand name at the end of the show. This channel would have been no different to encore with it's lineup having educational elements and consisting of old reality, lifestyle and drama series. Two years back, there was some negotiation regarding this channel with other organisations so maybe part of the channel will be treated as Mindset if it ever comes to life.

SABC Children, this youth channel is used for both local and international content except the local content is not part of SABC Education and since SABC is staying true to their roots the kids lineup more likely consisted of American animated series dubbed in other South African languages. This would have been one of the few SABC channels with international programming.

Due to the pandemic, it's possible that SABC Education will materialize it's the only channel along with SABC Sports I can see a future off with the rest they kind seem like another future failed experiment. Even with e.tv they launched several of their own channels only to scrap some of them.

SABC Education and SABC Movies aren't bad ideas they have enough content in their vault for these channels with SABC Sports it's kind of complicated due to the pandemic and the last time I saw it on the DTT platforms it was being used for old matches.

Out of all the imaginary channels SABC plots to launch SABC Education and Movies are the only channels I can see on DStv the rest seem like an absolute failure to me and since MultiChoice signed a deal with Mindset for a spin-off channel it's possible they'll sign a deal with SABC for an education channel which SABC has been trying to get up and running.