SABC has found new platform

SABC channels will soon be broadcast on signal distributor Sentech's direct to home satellite platform, the two parties said yesterday.

"The agreement will see the SABC providing SABC 1, 2 and 3, as well as SABC News, which is currently airing on DStv, while Sentech will manage the distribution channel for the DTH-S set-top boxes," they said in a joint statement.

The set-top boxes will be required for access to the free-to-air channels.

"The SABC will also add another two channels to this platform as soon as they are ready," they said. "The launch of these services will also respond to the concern that the public service channel (SABC News) that is on the DStv pay television platform should be available to the public."

The service is expected to be launched towards the end of next month.

The DTH-S platform was created to enable reception in areas where there is no access to normal terrestrial services. This service will not replace the digital terrestrial television platform, which will be launched "later", but will rather supplement it.

SABC acting chief operations officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng said the broadcaster's primary focus was to create universal access for all South Africans.

"The launch of SABC services on the DTH-S platform will help us further this objective and provide a service to the public," he said.

"In addition to the 4.5million subscribers on the DStv platform, the SABC News channel will now also be available to 1.7 million households who have previously not been able to receive any SABC television services on a free-to-air basis."

Sentech's chief operating officer Kganki Matabane said: "Sentech and the SABC share a common public service mandate to ensure all public broadcasting services are available to all South Africans".