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.

Could SABC eKhaya Be The Next Channel By The Public Broadcaster To Launch On Openview?

During the year, SABC announced the rollout of a second news channel on their DTT platform, SABC eKhaya. Formerly known as SABC Parliament, the news channel would serve as a spinoff to the current SABC News channel on DStv offering content in local languages.

Similar to SABC Education and SABC Sport, the channel would feature a lot of archived material and telecast content already seen on SABC 1-3. Overtime, the public broadcaster would work on ways to limit the rebroadcasts as the channel garner traction.

Unlike MultiChoice's DStv and SABC's DTT, eMedia Investments doesn't offer a local news channel on the free-to-view Openview platform. The last iteration News And Sport was shut down due to financial constraints and poor feedback from consumers.

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Most other local news stations like the already mentioned SABC News alongside Newzroom Afrika and eNCA are funded by MultiChoice's DStv.

From the looks of things, SABC eKhaya appears to be the only option for eMedia Investments and works under their platform's current budget. As mentioned, there's not much live content on the channel it basically serves as a catch-up service to SABC 1-3.

Similar to SABC Sport, it has longevity and could help fill that void left by News And Sport. The only issue would be funding as consumers would expect a brand like SABC eKhaya to function like SABC News but that is only possible if the SABC were to receive funding.

In other developments, SABC is said to have finalized details for the next TV channel which might be unveiled in the next financial period with rumours suggesting it to be a general entertainment brand similar to the defunct SABC Encore.

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.

What Happened To SABC's Indigenous News Channel, SABC eKhaya?

During the year, the public broadcaster promised to unveil the highly anticipated news brand, SABC eKhaya. A spinoff to the current SABC News channel seen on MultiChoice's DStv, the channel would be broadcast in all 11 South African languages was slated for April 2023. 

We were told by sources that the channel had a soft launch so to better understand this we turn to SABC Sport. The channel was active almost a year or so before it was added to the Openview platform and TelkomOne (now SABC+) and similar to SABC Sport it's not available on SABC+.

If we had to guess, the public broadcaster is probably looking to get the channel on MultiChoice's DStv or eMedia Investments' Openview. We assume they want to give this channel as much exposure as seen with SABC Sport which became the top 10 channels on Openview.

Not much marketing was put into SABC Sport but the channel managed to defy all odds and the same outcome could be expected for SABC eKhaya should it not exclusively to DTT and streaming.

From what we understand they want to make it a leading brand similar to SABC News or it's initial offering at the time, SABC Parliament. For now, the channel will serve as a catch-up to the current offering seen on SABC 1-3 and overtime they could fiddle around with the repeats.

It's currently unknown whether the public broadcaster plans to market SABC eKhaya or similar to SABC Sport wait until they can get more platforms onto the concept.

Conspiracy Theory: Openview Consumers Might Miss Out On Yet Another New Channel By The Public Broadcaster

The public broadcaster is gearing up for the rollout of their second news division, SABC eKhaya (formerly SABC Parliament). A multilingual news platform offering news in your language and also a spinoff to the current SABC News channel seen on the DStv platform.

Prior to that, the public broadcaster was working on another TV channel under the placeholder SABC 1 for the Openview platform. It is believed to be SABC Encore as consumers had spotted it on the programme guide of SABC back in 2022.

Following the expansion of SABC Sport and SABC's 19 radio stations, the public broadcaster was looking to the idea of launching a second sports channel on top of a potential revival to the defunct and controversial SABC Encore once viewed on DStv.

As mentioned prior to the testing of SABC Parliament, SABC was working on another TV channel under the placeholder SABC 1. Compared to most experiments this is the only channel to mention it's platform as others like SABC eKhaya were currently being tested for DTT.

With that in mind, it's possible SABC eKhaya alongside SABC Education might not be one of the two channels expected for Openview customers. If anything, the multilingual news channel might be something the public broadcaster is looking to get on pay-tv platforms.

If anything, the public broadcaster might as well be working on launching more TV channels in the coming future aside from the above-mentioned. Some channels the public broadcaster were looking to start up include a health and history channel.

Recap To The Past Decade: The Public Broadcaster Looking To Rollout A Health And History Channel As Ninth And Tenth TV Channel

In the last decade, the public broadcaster has been going through a financial crisis and despite the current situation are still looking to add more channels to their DTT platform. Initially set to be 18 TV channels was downsized to possibly 9 channels.

SABC 1-3 made up part of that alongside SABC News which is currently seen on the DStv platform with the defunct SABC Encore making up the fifth TV channel. Other TV channels in talks at the time included a sports, health, history, education and parliament channel.

SABC Education was the sixth channel out of the nine to enter fruition after the pandemic. It was initially meant to be in partnership with the Department Of Education but with no luck is just a catch-up/archives channel for content viewed on SABC 1-3.

SABC Sport came as the seventh channel a year after on eMedia Investments' Openview platform. It currently ranks as the top 10 channels on the platform just like SABC Education it features rebroadcasts as well as delayed live matches apparently.

SABC Parliament came as the eighth and believe it or not they were in active development but somewhere along the line. The channel was retooled as a multilingual news channel which too features archived material, SABC eKhaya.

After taking the facts to consideration, it's possible that the public broadcaster might be turning to their 2018 DTT plans when discussing additional channels or possible the scrapped 2011 plans which included an interactive video service channel.

With that being added up, it's possible that the public broadcaster might introduce another 2 channels possibly a health and history channel. Although nothing is official yet the idea wouldn't seem far fetched at this point.

From my understanding with SABC Parliament, they lacked funding so they pursued something similar, SABC eKhaya. So health and history might as well be victims of similar circumstances although nothing concrete it wouldn't be shocking.

Coming Soon To More Platforms??? As Sources Say Discussion Are Said To Be Underway For The Much Anticipated News Platform, SABC eKhaya

SABC is set to launch a second news channel known to audiences as SABC eKhaya (formerly SABC Parliament) in the second quarter of the year carrying parliamentary content and other news programming in indigenous languages including English.

The news channel will serve as a regional spinoff to the current SABC News channel on DStv which had a similar offering for the yet-to-be-named news channel before expanding their footprint to the rest of Africa which further limited those aspects.

The channel is said to launch the second quarter of the year exclusively on SABC's DTT and very likely SABC+ as seen with SABC News which is said to be available on DStv at an exclusive basis.

Since news of the channel surfaced, consumers were curious as to whether eMedia Investments, and if it's still an option On Digital Media and StarTimes would be looking to add the channel on their platforms seeing as they lack such alternative unlike MultiChoice.

SABC:
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC, Part 2
- Could SABC Encore revival be scrapped?
- A former SABC channel was added onto Openview
- SABC Movies' dream journal

Taking to account, these outlets have pending agreements with the as mentioned public broadcaster for more channels aside from SABC 1-3 which they have fallen far behind on in terms of filing up with the end of bargain.

The yet-to-be-named news platform fits the description of the promised new channels like a glove - repeats. As seen a few years ago, eMedia Investments is waiting on two encore based channels while MultiChoice opts to use them as leverage on eMedia's 4 channels.

As to whether discussions are underway, sources had mentioned to numerous viewers of such matter but seeing as the channel is still at its early stage. It seems highly unlikely, for now you can view the test channel exclusively on SABC's DTT.

SABC:
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- TelkomOne's transition into SABC+
- SABC 1 title card registered for Openview
- SABC Children appears to have wrapped production

SABC Launches Second News Channel Formerly Known As SABC Parliament In April 2023

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) will offer the public service broadcaster’s first ever 24-hour news channel in African languages in April 2023. In addition, this channel will offer an extensive coverage of parliamentary proceedings.

The launch of this channel is in line with the SABC’s public mandate obligation, for the provision of universal access, as enjoined by the relevant legislation governing the SABC.

The imminent launch of this channel reinforces the SABC’s pivotal role in facilitating social cohesion, by providing a wide range of programming that caters for the needs of the entire society. The SABC is also driven by the three key principles in its news delivery and value proposition: the principle of inclusion, deliberation and opinion formation which are aimed at empowering citizens to be part of participatory democracy, despite their socio-economic status, geographical location and language.

The channel, which is not new, was acquired in 2018 and publicly accessed through the DTT platform from 2019, offering parliamentary proceedings exclusively. In line with the SABC’s governance framework, a business decision was made to reposition the channel to offer more than parliamentary proceedings and include bulletins and current affairs in African languages. This channel will continue to broadcast on DTT and will be added on the public broadcaster’s OTT platform.

SABC:
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- TelkomOne's transition into SABC+
- SABC 1 title card registered for Openview
- SABC Children appears to have wrapped production

The SABC’s Group Executive: News and Current Affairs, Mr. Moshoeshoe Monare stated that “This is our response to the demand from millions of our viewers yearning for extensive news coverage and a dedicated channel in their own languages. The response from our viewers was phenomenal and this is not a replication of our English news channel. We are telling different stories of our communities and reflecting people’s aspirations in their own languages.”

Monare further stated that “This public news service is an added platform to serve mainly communities that are not necessarily reached by mainstream commercial media. These are millions of viewers who wait until evening, to watch less than half an hour bulletins in their own languages. SABC News is well positioned to rise to this challenge, because of its decades of experience in public broadcasting in indigenous languages”.

The SABC reiterates its commitment as the country’s only public service broadcaster, to fulfil its constitutional mandate of delivering news and current affairs content that reflects the diverse South African society.

All the details pertaining to the channel will be revealed soon.

What Consumers Should Be Concerned About Regarding SABC's Yet To Be Launched Channels On DStv?

The public broadcaster still lagging behind on many aspects is slated to launch three additional channels to the DStv platform in the coming future with SABC Education currently seen on SABC+ and DTT taking about 2 years to be released.

SABC eKhaya another upcoming attraction by the public broadcaster which is rumoured to debut before the end of the current financial year which is March 2023 serves as a complimentary to the SABC News channel catering to the indigenous languages.

Now the new channels don't really come at the greatest time as MultiChoice was hoping to use them as leverage for eMedia's 4 channels which are currently in a limbo on their platform and with these new channels nowhere in site one has got to wonder how they'd survive with even less channels.

DStv:
- MultiChoice might lose yet another two channels
- Could Russia Today be removed from the DStv platform?
- Qwest TV coming soon to Showmax
- eMedia's 4 channels to go dark on the DStv platform

MultiChoice has already sourced out alternatives or at least everyone should believe with the likes of Movie Room and DreamWorks but seeing as these channels are set to rollout in the coming future where has to wonder if these channels are long-term.

MultiChoice carried SABC Encore at one point and lasted about 5 years before getting culled by the company. According to the SABC, the decision not to continue the channel came from the operator being MultiChoice as they hope to someday revive the channel.

Fast forward to 2017, eMedia's 4 channels being eExtra, eToonz, eMovies and eMovies Extra come along and they too get the 5 year curse endured by SABC Encore with MultiChoice running to the parent company of the former channel for alternatives.

So the question viewers should be asking themselves is whether these channels are here to stay and build a name for themselves as seen with SABC News, eNCA, Mzansi Magic and a few more channels or whether these channels will only be treated as placeholders for other channels.

DStv Flex:
- February on The Home Channel
- February on HONEY
- Reyka renewed for season 2 on M-Net
- What to expect this January on Qwest TV?

No one knows exactly what led MultiChoice to discontinue carriage of SABC Encore but my hunch has to do with productivity. The channel relied solely on archived material now that you have eMovies that yes is airing rebroadcasts from M-Net Movies although not often e.tv it's getting taken away.

SABC Education is just like SABC Encore and likely these upcoming channels should it launch will SABC try to limit the amount of Encore available otherwise face the consequences unless MultiChoice wasn't looking at that after all Nicktoons and Mzansi Wethu already exist.

Recap: SABC To Launch 24/7 Indigenous News Platform In Your Language SABC eKhaya

The public broadcaster announced the launch of their 24 hour news platform, Ekaya which will be made available on SABC+ and SABC's DTT.

Millions of South Africans depend on different SABC channels for news in their home language. Some of the languages are aired on the free-to-air platform for a limited time and in an effort to satisfy these consumers the SABC is launching a 24 hour news channel for African languages.

Unfortunately at the moment, we only offer news bulletins for a limited time on the free-to-air entertainment channels. So what this channel is going to do every single day is that it's going to give South Africans who are lacking an appointment to watch news everyday - Moshoeshoe Monare, SABC's Group Executive For News And Current Affairs.

SABC:
- SABC Parliament rebrands into Ekaya
- Reviewing major changes coming soon to the SABC
- SABC 1 title card registered for Openview
- SABC Children appears to have wrapped production

As a public broadcaster, we got this responsibility both constitutionally and morally to reflect the diversity throughout the South African society and give that content in all our 11 languages and this is the excitement of that channel - Moshoeshoe Monare, SABC's Group Executive For News And Current Affairs

Ekaya, which is Tsonga for at home is a news channel which will offer local, international, economic, politics, business, lifestyle and sports news in their languages. It will offer fresh bulletins alongside content currently viewed on SABC 1-3.

Ekaya serves as a spinoff to the current SABC News channel on DStv channel 404, SABC+ and SABC's DTT. While SABC News offers plenty of English content, Ekaya will focus more on other languages while as offering English content and is expected to launch later in the year.

SABC:
- Could SABC Encore revival be scrapped?
- A former SABC channel was added onto Openview
- SABC Movies' dream journal
- SABC Education not launching on Openview

The channel is currently viewable on SABC's DTT but from what's already stated it hasn't launched so it's kind of experimental. Although, a lot of repeats exist on the channel it had been mentioned that it won't try to be an SABC News duplicate.