SABC+ Is A Success For The Public TV Broadcaster

SABC+ Success Story: SABC+, the streaming platform, has reported an inflow of about five million unique monthly views. This development arose from the December 2023 decision to remove requirements for login credentials to access the platform.

SABC+ Success Story

SABC + has been navigating the digital wave for three years now. The platform has enabled the public broadcaster to fulfill its mandate in the digital age.

SABC+ Success Story
SABC+

The platform provides access to the best programming the SABC has to offer. This comprises 19 radio stations, three television channels, as well as the SABC’s 24-hour news channel and Sport channel. 

From breaking news, riveting dramas, and educational and entertaining features, to the highly contested sporting matches that force viewers to the edge of their seats, SABC+ offers a diverse range of programming that ensures everyone finds their perfect match in the dynamic realm of digital content.

Mmoni Seapolelo, acting group executive of corporate affairs and marketing, said to TechCentral, “The SABC can confirm that SABC+ received 4.6 million unique views from 1-20 June 2024.”

“As part of building and enhancing the viewer experience on the platform, user login details were deactivated on 1 December 2023.”

Viewers Satisfaction Lead To SABC+ Success

Seapolelo highlighted that the platform has improved and increased the number of viewers of public TV broadcasts.

She highlighted that  SABC+ makes use of an advertising-funded video-on-demand (AVOD) business model. This generates revenue for the platform.

Under this model, users can access a platform and its content for free, but they watch ads as part of the viewing experience.

However, the platform is still looking for other ways to generate more revenue from the platform. The company assured the public that TV license fees from viewers were not one of them.

The company said, “Speculation about TV license fees applying to the SABC+ streaming service is not true.”

SABC+ Faces Competition 

Competition is a ground for improvement. Another broadcasting TV, Sentech, launched its platform, Freevision Play. The platform has been competing with SABC.

This development caused Michael Markovitz, the head of the Gibs Media Leadership Think Tank and a former executive board member of the SABC to voice out on X. 

Also Read: Sentech Introduces Freevision Play, a No-cost Streaming TV Service

He said, “unacceptable to see state-owned Sentech launch a streaming competitor against @SABCPlus. Not only is public broadcaster Sentech’s biggest client but SABC has had to endure monopoly pricing for decades.

SABC should not provide its channels to @FreevisionPlay.”

https://twitter.com/mmarkovitz/status/1803725836266172840?s=46

Way Ahead: Growth and Partnership

However, SABC has continued to grow, it has partnered with Mangomolo, a streaming platform developer based in the United Arab Emirates.

The partnership is set to improve the technical aspects of scaling SABC+. This development will enhance the experiences that come with its platform. 

Wissam Sabbagh, founder and CEO at Mangomolo, in a statement, said, “Our work with SABC is an exciting opportunity to deliver new OTT (‘over the top’) video experiences in South Africa.”

“We’re making it simple to expand the SABC’s offering and deliver content to audiences on whatever device they want to use.”

Abdullahi Kafayat
Abdullahi Kafayat

Abdullahi Kafayat is an enthusiastic writer interested in the tech world. She's a graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University and has a BSc in Chemistry. You can reach her at Kafayatabdullahi17@gmail.com.

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