As non-compliance with SABC TV licence payments continues to mount, some people are now asking how, if at all, it is possible to legally step outside the system. According to the SABC’s CEO, Nomsa Chabeli, less than 20% of South African households are paying their TV licences, which is placing increasing pressure on the public broadcaster’s finances.
The decline in TV licence payments has led to a significant decline in the SABC’s revenue, with only 55% of its mandate costs being funded through licence revenue. This has raised concerns about the sustainability of the public broadcaster and its ability to deliver on its mandate.
Exemptions from TV Licence Payments
However, there is a limited way for licence holders to be exempted from paying TV licences, but only under strict conditions. According to the SABC’s FAQ page, a person may only be exempted if their television receiving equipment has been permanently altered so that it can no longer receive a broadcast signal, and this must be formally proven and verified.
A removal of a television set’s tuner, which renders it incapable of receiving any TV signal, is one way to be exempt from the need to be licensed. Written notice to the SABC of such denaturing must be supported by documentary proof in the form of a letter/invoice/receipt from a reputable TV repairer or installer. A R300 payment must accompany such application to the SABC, after which an authorised agent will be despatched to inspect the applicant’s TV equipment.
Proposed Changes to TV Licence Funding Models
However, South Africans could soon not need to pay for the TV licence. Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, has confirmed that new funding models for the struggling SABC have been submitted to the government, with several funding options now under consideration for legislative changes. The South African government is exploring alternative funding models to ensure the sustainability of the public broadcaster.
Some of the proposed changes include a shift from a licence-fee based model to a more sustainable funding model. This could include a combination of funding sources, such as advertising revenue, sponsorships, and government grants. The SABC is exploring various options to ensure its financial sustainability and ability to deliver on its mandate.
- Removal of TV tuner to exempt from licence payments
- Proposed changes to TV licence funding models
- Exploration of alternative funding sources, such as advertising revenue and government grants
