7 things SABC wants you to have a TV license for in South Africa



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SABC TV Licensing Director Sylvia Tladi says changes to South Africa’s broadcasting regulations are necessary to “continue to effectively meet South Africa’s public interest programming needs.”

Among these changes, Tladi said this should include a revision of the public broadcasting policy to include an expanded definition of a “television” or now, a broadcast device.

Some of the devices that are being considered under this expanded definition include:

  1. Laptops;
  2. Tablets;
  3. IPTV;
  4. Internet;
  5. Decoders;
  6. Decoders;
  7. Smartphones.

Tladi said that these devices, which have given rise to new media platforms and content broadcast channels, have a direct impact on television licensing legislation.

He said the SABC filing also calls for a revised television license fee system and changes in legislation regarding the public funding strategies provided for by television licenses.

“To ensure maximum compliance with the legislative requirements on the payment of television license fees, the SABC proposes that the law impose stricter obligations on all interested parties or relevant actors because ‘traditional’ television is no longer the only one means of receiving a transmit.

“Therefore, to administer compliance with the payment of license fees, the SABC believes that other entities should be obliged to report on the sale, lease or use of these ‘televisions’ or ‘display devices’.

As is currently the case with the purchase of a television, the proposed revised legislation will also motivate pay television operators to hold their subscribers responsible for registering or having a valid television license before a subscription, purchase or rental of a television is granted. set-top box, she said.

“In addition, the regulations sent are intended to make it mandatory for Internet broadcasting and television broadcasting websites to pay a percentage of subscription fees to the SABC, where these websites broadcast SABC content.”

Critical changes

Tladi said that SABC sees itself as a cross-platform content provider that offers public service content, which includes the collection, creation, launch, curation, packaging and distribution of content through public service media.

“The proposed amendment to the Television License Fee Regulations is critical to SABC’s ability to benefit from the opportunities created by the convergence of media and other technological developments in the broadcasting industry,” he said.

This process is still in the consultation phase and requires more input from various stakeholders, including the public, he said.

“As its mandate is to demonstrate integrity and uphold the country’s democratic pillars, the SABC will keep the engagement process transparent and fair, and will encourage discussions with all South Africans, including the business community, which would also be affected by the legislative changes.

“With the tide of technological advancements in the way we collect, store and disseminate information and stories, the law must also evolve to better regulate this space and reflect the current digital landscape in which we find ourselves.”


Read: Plan to Charge TV License Fees for Smartphones and Laptops in South Africa Could Face Major Problems



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