PARLIAMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
ORAL REPLY
QUESTION NO: 21
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 25 February 2014
QUESTION PAPER NO: 3
DATE OF REPLY:
Ms M R Shinn (DA) to ask the Minister of Communications:
a) How many digital television channels will be ready to launch to meet the
digital switchover deadline of June 2015 and (b) what action is being
taken to ensure sufficient locally produced content for these channels?
NO231E
REPLY:
a) The current three SABC channels and the SABC 24-hour News Channel, as
well as the main e.tv channel, are already available on the digital
terrestrial platform. The SABC, I am told, will, over time, include
more dedicated channels for sport, entertainment, education and
health. It is expected that there will also be more digital incentive
channels from e.tv as well as community broadcasters.
b) The Independent Communications Authority of South African (ICASA) is
responsible for regulating broadcast content in South Africa. Sections
7 and 8 of the Digital Terrestrial Television(DTT) Regulations,
published by ICASA in December 2012 (Government GazetteNo.36000)
specify regulations governing digital incentive channels. All current
and prospective broadcast licensees in the DTT platform must provide,
among other requirements, a programming plan that includes details of
local content to be broadcast in the DTT platform.
Furthermore, broadcast licensees must adhere to the regulations
pertinent to their licence conditions in relation to local content
prescripts set by ICASA.