The struggling SABC says its commercial services - SABC3, 5FM, Metro FM, and Good Hope FM - should not be forced to carry party election broadcasts and political advertisements in the run up to the local government elections due to financial pressures.
Image: Bhekikhaya Mabaso / Independent Newspapers
Financial implications for the cash-strapped SABC’s commercial services – SABC3, 5FM, Metro FM, and Good Hope FM – will be considered when allocating slots for party election broadcasts (PEBs) and political advertisements ahead of the local government elections.
The Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) has announced that when determining slot allocations to the SABC, it will consider the financial and programming implications for its commercial services, IOL reported.
According to Icasa, the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) applies to a commercial or community broadcasting service licensee, and a commercial broadcasting service licensee may elect to broadcast a PEB; however, it is not a requirement.
“Under the circumstances, the SABC is not a commercial broadcasting service licensee nor is it a community broadcasting service licensee; therefore, Section 57(8) [of the ECA] does not apply to the SABC,” the authority stated.
In terms of the ECA, a commercial or community broadcasting service licensee is not required to broadcast party election broadcasts, but if it elects to do so, the provisions of the Act and regulations will apply, with the necessary changes.
Details of Icasa’s move are contained in the 2026 Municipal Political Elections Broadcasts and Political Advertisements Amendment Regulations, which have recently been released by the authority.
The public broadcaster had complained that its commercial services should be exempted from carrying PEBs, as it continues to experience significant financial pressures arising from increased competition with online content providers and other broadcasters for advertising revenue.
The SABC argued that when it carries PEBs, it consequently forgoes potential commercial advertising revenue that could have contributed to its financial sustainability.
In addition, the public broadcaster stated that its commercial services are required to comply with the regulatory framework and conditions applicable to the commercial broadcasting sector, which reinforces the position that SABC commercial services should not be compelled to carry PEBs consistent with the treatment of other non-SABC commercial broadcasters.
The SABC stated that imposing PEB obligations on its commercial services would run contrary to the spirit and intention of both the Broadcasting Act and the broadcasting policy, which clearly envisage a light-touch regulatory regime for these services.
It pointed out that such a requirement would undermine their commercial orientation and impede their ability to compete effectively and generate revenue.
The SABC also stated that the ECA enjoins Icasa to consider the financial and programming implications of the public broadcaster when developing election regulations.
It wants its commercial services to be allowed to focus on generating commercial revenue instead of being mandated to carry PEBs.
“The SABC is of the view that the commercial services, namely SABC3 and the radio services 5FM, Metro FM, and Good Hope FM, should not be compelled to carry PEBs in the same manner as other non-SABC commercial broadcasting services,” the public broadcaster urged Icasa.
It urged Icasa not to impose PEB obligations on these commercial services, consistent with the approach adopted during the 2024 national and provincial elections.
The SABC’s view is that the exclusion of PEBs from its commercial services will ensure a level playing field, enabling the public broadcaster to compete fairly with its commercial counterparts while prioritising revenue generation.
According to the SABC, this approach will further support its financial sustainability without undermining its broader public service mandate.