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.

Recap To The Year: SABC Silently Revived And Rebranded The Controversial SABC Encore Channel, Now On DTT As SABC Variety

SABC Encore was a general entertainment channel operated by the public broadcaster that was exclusive to MultiChoice's DStv alongside SABC News. It would broadcast content from the 1980s and 1990s including shows like Agter Elke Man and 'Sgudi 'Snaysi.

Following its exit from the DStv platform, the SABC was looking to continue the channel on another platform and since then there had been no updates or at least from the SABC. On their DTT platforms, the public broadcaster still had its remains within the channel number.

Often it would serve as a catch-up/pop-up channel to content viewed on SABC 1-3 (including Sports). This channel would often stream on TelkomOne (now SABC+) for mostly the sporting content before being removed.

During the year, the public broadcaster gave SABC Encore a facelift with the channel undergoing yet another name change, SABC Variety. As mentioned, the public broadcaster remained silent regarding the developments of this channel alongside the much anticipated SABC Lehae.

We assume similar to SABC Sport's expansion to Openview, the public could be looking to possibly launch these channels on more platforms. It doesn't seem fetched as their current STBs aren't seen as sustainable with consumers base said to be in less than 500,000 households.

Development Alert: SABC Reportedly Registered A New Channel On DTT, SABC Variety

Last month, SABC through a small press release on their website had unveiled their second news channel, SABC Lehae. After losing rights to SABC News, the channel would telecast news segments seen on SABC 1-3 alongside archived material with plans to offer live news.

Prior to that time, it was reported that the public broadcaster was in production of another TV channel with sources suggesting it to be a general entertainment channel which led to speculation of SABC Encore.

Following its demise on DStv, SABC was looking to revive the channel and for 3 years there has yet to be an update on when or if that is still on the cards. They had used it as a pop-up channel on their DTT platforms during that time but other than that nothing until now.

Not long ago, a viewer had spotted a channel on DTT known as SABC Variety which we presume was the rumoured channel the public broadcaster was looking to unveil within the first quarter of 2024. It could be a new name for the long-speculated SABC Encore channel.

The public broadcaster hasn't shared details about the content but SABC+ has a variety section known as SABC Reality for shows like Nyan Nyan, Motswako, Afro Cafe and Spykaart. So we can only assume that this a rival brand to eKasi on eReality, Via, Moja Love and HONEY.