SABC Fails To Launch Additional Channels To Openview, Could There Be More To The Story?

As some of you may remember, SABC and eMedia Investments held hands to announce a new partnership that would see SABC Sport alongside SABC's 19 radio stations on Openview. This would join the existing SABC 1-3 channels with more expansion plans said to be underway with the inclusion two new channels.

These channels were non-exclusive brands meaning it could as well be distributed on SABC's DTT or MultiChoice's DStv platform with plans to spread the existing lineup from SABC 1-3 on these channels. At the time, the SABC had stated that when these channels would get enough exposure that new content could be curated specifically for them.

Similar to what we've seen with SABC's DTT channels, this content will likely be allocated on SABC 1-3 cause with more exposure means more advertising income. Although Ouma Sarie was able to pull 1.8 million viewers on e.tv that's not the case with eExtra as it's estimated to be under 500000.

These new channels had been in development hell for 3 years which means they could have been working on some ideas and that's where it's stands. Often when something is in development hell it's likely to get the axe look what happened to BBC UKTV's launch on Openview that went to DStv and consumers are reliant on SABC 3 for their offering.

Let's remember, SABC had continued adding further channels SABC Lehae and SABC Variety maybe one or both of those could be something they were looking to include on Openview. Then something behind the scenes happened with either eMedia Investments or the SABC which led to its cancellation or delay.

They are technically insolvent and need funding in order for these channels to survive. At this stage, they wouldn't really launch channels without knowing they'd be compensated in some capacity. 

Another possible outcome would be structure of this deal, when SABC Encore was distributed on MultiChoice's DStv what happened there was that SABC had a deadline (missed it) but eventually launched with the money coming from MultiChoice. Could the same have been outlined with eMedia Investments agreement with SABC?

This is a non exclusive deal unlike that of SABC Encore so SABC could have benefitted from this as there was no given timeframe by eMedia Investments on when these channels would go live. Probably because the payments eMedia Investments had given to SABC Sport matched that of SABC 1-3.

This means that SABC would be the one covering most of the costs for these channels cause with the financial constraints of eMedia Investments there's no way they could fund all 19 radio stations. This is the reason you don't get SABC News much less eNCA on those platforms due to constraints in livelihood.

Is SABC Still Planning To Expand Their Operations To MultiChoice's DStv And eMedia Investments' Openview?

In 2021, reported rivals eMedia Investments and the SABC had extended the agreement to include SABC Sport alongside SABC's 19 radio stations. This would sit alongside SABC 1-3 with plans to add two entertainment channels to the existing line-up. 

These channels never came to fruition to Openview consumers since the agreement was announced despite promises to unveil them. The only thing known about these brands is that the premise is similar to SABC Encore with plans to include new content. 

Prior to this, MultiChoice and StarSat were in discussion to launch another TV channel from the public broadcaster, SABC Education. Similar to these two untitled channels on Openview, SABC Education hadn't launched yet and only resides on SABC's DTT and SABC+.

There had been mentions that MultiChoice similar to eMedia Investments could be looking to add more TV channels from the SABC which is delaying the rollout of SABC Education. Another that an SABC Encore based channel was in development. 

Since last year, the public broadcaster was only able to launch two channels SABC Lehae and SABC Variety. Although, they hadn't officially announced the channels or properly marketed them they are however viewable on SABC's DTT with Lehae also on SABC+.

Speculation going around is that these channels would also be allocated on eMedia Investments' Openview. The public broadcaster is low on income and the only reason they would even greenlit a channel would be if they had some form of funding.

These two channels do match the description SABC provided about these Openview channels - repeats. SABC Lehae would give consumers access to local news following the dismissal of News And Sports in 2022 while SABC Variety would compliment ePleiser. 

Not much is known on why SABC hadn't expanded their services as intended but some guesses have to do with the restructuring of SABC 1-3. The SABC is currently reviewing the content on these channels in an attempt to revamp themselves. 

Maybe these endeavors would lead to the creation of more TV channels or restructures for their other brands.

Another reason could be the corporate management of these brands, they had promised to launch SABC+ by 2018/9 but did so successfully by 2022. Same thing with SABC Lehae, no announcement or media briefing on its launch as promised last year.

Recap To Last Year: Could SABC Lehae Launch On Openview As A Replacement To e.tv's News And Sport Alongside SABC Variety?

In 2021, SABC and eMedia Investments extended their agreement which led to additions like SABC Sport and SABC's 19 radio stations on the Openview platform. There was also promises for two entertainment channels to accompany the existing SABC 1-3.

These channels were also slated to launch within that year but since then SABC and eMedia Investments had gone rogue that doesn't mean there wasn't any noteworthy material.

During that long arrival of more TV channels, SABC Lehae was born which serves as the second news channel by the public broadcaster following SABC News. It offers news in indigenous languages by that I mean similar to most channels rehash content from SABC 1-3.

This was followed by SABC Variety which serves as a revival/replacement to the defunct SABC Encore brand on DStv. Unlike its previous iteration, SABC Variety also serves as a catch-up channel especially with sporting events.

For a while now, there has been a lot of commotion as to whether these could be the long awaited channels for Openview consumers. As both explore the public broadcaster's archived material aka repeats as they clearly highlighted for these new channels.

SABC Lehae would prove to be somewhat useful following the cancellation of News And Sport. Consumers were left without without a decent local news channel while SABC Sport fills up the sports and the channel would basically be rivalling with eNCA and Newsroom Afrika.

SABC Variety would serve as complimentary offering to Power Up when consumers miss out on shows. Similar to ePlesier and the former Rewind, the channel would invite nostalgia to viewer's screens.

News Shorts: Paw Patrol To Be Dubbed In isiZulu For Nicktoons, SABC Lehae Is Made Available On Squid TV And eExtra Adds Tomorrow With You And Kurt En Shura Rebroadcast

Paw Patrol is going local

Following the successful launch of SpongeBob SquarePants in isiZulu in 2022. Nickelodeon is looking to dub more content in local languages for sister network Nicktoons with the preschool series Paw Patrol airing at a much later timeslot from 18 March at 15:00.

The series focuses on a young boy named Ryder who leads a crew of search and rescue dogs that call themselves the PAW Patrol. They work together on missions to protect the shoreside community of Adventure Bay and surrounding areas.

Since its debut, the series has developed into a media franchise with two feature films Paw Patrol: The Movie and The Mighty One alongside spinoff Rubble & Crew.

Nicktoons serves as one of several broadcasters dubbing animated series with SABC (Ben 10, Zulu and Afrikaans), e.tv (Care Bears: Unlock The Magic, Xhosa) and Play Room (Cocomelon and Akili And Me, isiZulu).

Now the channel is currently streaming on SABC+ alongside existing brands such as SABC 1-3, SABC Sport and SABC Education. As mentioned, SABC News is exclusive to DStv meaning that SABC Lehae is now the leading destination for local and global news on the platform.

Mbali is a beautiful township girl with boundless ambition who gets caught on the wrong side of the law

A former teen beauty queen, she has the looks to drive men crazy. But, she is poor and lives in a small backroom in Diepkloof with her mother Phindile, her sister Phumla and daughter Khethiwe.

The family lives off Siya, Mbali’s boyfriend, a criminal who sells Mbali dreams of a lavish life. But when he gets arrested, the family is plunged deep into poverty as their main financial support is lost.

uMbali debuts Thursdays at 10PM from 12 October replacing the second season of Housewives.

Development Alert: SABC News Has Reportedly Been Blocked From DTT Platforms And Possible SABC+, Replaced With SABC Lehae

During the week, it was reported that the public broadcaster had renewed their agreement with MultiChoice for SABC News. It was also revealed that they officially launched their second news channel SABC Lehae although not much marketing was put to welcome the new channel.

Following the arrival of SABC Lehae, several viewers on SABC's DTT had reported that SABC News is no longer available on the platform cause as viewers browse to view the channel all they get is a coloured screen. So we assume that this new agreement with MultiChoice prevents consumers from accessing SABC News.

SABC Lehae has been added as collateral and likely a backup to SABC News but unlike the pay-tv counterpart it is very much riddled with old programming as well as telecasts of SABC 1-3. We assume the public broadcaster couldn't retain SABC News on their DTT platform for an extended period.

As my hunch suggested previously, SABC Lehae is basically what Zee One is to Zee World but with SABC News - competition. As one brand is confined to a paywall while the other is filtered to its likeness with some variation added every and now then which kind of removes any possibility I had of it being included on MultiChoice's DStv.

If anything, it wouldn't surprise me if the channel were to surface on eMedia Investments' Openview platform to replace the news part of e.tv's News And Sport. As that too was also riddled with repeats and licenced content from various other broadcasters so to speak.

If there's one thing that these recent SABC and MultiChoice developments had suggested there's a lot of beef brewing between the two. Initially, it was reflected on sports but now it's reflecting on other areas of the business with SABC's content removed from catch-up.

Just curious to wonder what's next for these two, my guess would be the carriage of SABC 1-3 as the two had been negotiating for fees but it reached a dead end. Honestly speaking, would it be surprising if SABC 3 were to exit the platform and program changes awaited SABC 1 and 2.

For a while now, SABC had managed to divide the content between platforms and honestly the chances of their channels particularly SABC 3 undergoing a similar scenario wouldn't seem far fetched as the channel hasn't been sustainable and is the least watched amongst the three channels.

Recap To The Week: SABC Extend Agreement With MultiChoice For News Channel, Rolls Out Second Local News Channel SABC Lehae On DTT Platforms

During the week, it was revealed by the public broadcaster that they extended their carriage agreement with MultiChoice for SABC News that promises to keep redefining the broadcasting landscape. Although, the duration of this agreement remains unknown.

Interesting to note, the public broadcaster finally gave an official brand name to their second news channel currently seen on DTT and DTH, SABC Lehae. After failing to officially roll it out during the year sources mentioned it had a soft launch.

Formerly known as SABC Parliament and SABC eKhaya, the public broadcaster views SABC Lehae as an alternative to SABC News. Not sure what that means when it comes to the multilingual brand's chances on pay-tv cause as seen with SABC Sport that's not seen on DStv.

But from what we've observed in a previous story, it's likely that the channel could be added onto eMedia Investments' Openview platform. The public broadcaster had promised the company as well as consumers two additional channels to accompany SABC 1-3 and Sport.

Aside from that, Openview doesn't offer a local news channel and SABC Lehae could help fill that void seeing as Newzroom Afrika and eNCA reside with DStv. Similar to these brands, SABC Lehae would hold an significant position keeping viewers up-to-date with daily happenings.