SOUTH Africa’s broadcasting regulator has approved the SABC application for its annual local TV content quotas to be waived because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The waiver from the Independent Communications Authority of SA means the public broadcaster is allowed to make and broadcast less locally produced programming and fewer hours this year of certain genres of first-run content.
The SABC is under an annual obligation to broadcast a certain number of hours in various languages of new, original content in genres ranging from sports and news to current affairs, and from children’s programming and educational content to scripted entertainment on radio and television.
The authority is supposed to monitor and audit the process. But for years it hasn’t had necessary equipment or human resources to properly do so, with the reported quota adherence which is self-compiled by the SABC.
Repeats and rebroadcasts of local content count less than new content shown for the first time and the SABC feared it might not have enough, or be able to get enough content in certain genres to make the quota criteria.
The relaxed regulation only applies to the SABC’s TV channels and not radio services, nor SABC News content.
The broadcaster applied for exemption because of thenational lockdown, which saw the local film and TV industry shut down.
Since Monday, some of these companies have reopened, with delivery of new children’s programming, sport and other genres for broadcast affected. – CHANNEL24
