SECTOR 2

The media landscape, including new
media, is characterised by diversity,
independence and sustainability.
2.1 A wide range of sources of information (print,
broadcasting, internet, mobile phones) is accessible
and affordable to citizens.
Television
There are three free-to-air state TV channels: SABC 1, 2, and 3. There is the
commercial free-to-air channel, etv; eNCA (eNews Channel Africa); DStv, a multichannel subscription digital TV pay service; and multi-channel Top TV, the new kid
on the digital subscription block, which is struggling to survive.25
There are also a number of community TV stations in the country. Soweto TV was
the first to receive a one-year licence in 2007. It is available on the DStv platform,
which also supports fellow community TV stations Tshwane TV, Bay TV and 1KZN.
By September 2013, Cape Town Television would also be added to the satellite
service, giving the stations a wider national platform than its current free-to-air
signal allows.
Radio
The SABC is a big player in the national radio market and owns 5fm, Metro
FM, SAfm, Radio Sonder Grense, Radio 2000, Good Hope FM, Lotus FM and
the largely local language broadcast services Ukhozi FM, Umhlobo Wenene FM,
Motsweding FM, Lesedi FM, Thobela FM, Munghana-Lonene FM, Ohalaphala FM,
Tru FM, Ikwekwezi FM and Ligwalagwala FM. The SABC claims to reach 94% of
South Africans through its television and radio stations.
“There may be many radio stations broadcasting in indigenous languages but the
content that they broadcast is a concern. The programming is not geared towards
issues of transformation, development or gender.”
Primedia owns a number of commercial radio stations, including 702 Talk Radio,
94.7 Highveld Stereo, Kaya FM 95.9, 567 Cape Talk, and partly owns 94.5 Kfm.
There are at least another 11 private commercial radio stations, with various/
mixed ownership structures. PowerFM is the latest, privately owned talk show
radio station to go on air, competing directly with 702.
There are about 145 community radio stations licensed in the country, an increase
from 96 in 2012, and about 120 are on air and operational. Community radio
25 Before the time of AMB publication, the launch of the Gupta-owned ANN7 news channel also took place in August
2013, with considerable mishaps, see more at: http://www.timeslive.co.za/entertainment/2013/08/23/the-guptagoofs-ann7-news-channel-fumbles-through-launch.

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AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2013

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