{"id":20290,"date":"2026-01-16T09:13:28","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T07:13:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=20290"},"modified":"2026-01-16T09:13:28","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T07:13:28","slug":"reviving-broadcasting-a-new-tax-strategy-for-south-africas-tv-license-in-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/reviving-broadcasting-a-new-tax-strategy-for-south-africas-tv-license-in-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Reviving Broadcasting: A New Tax Strategy for South Africa’s TV License in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The South African TV licence system is effectively obsolete! This isn\u2019t merely the perspective of countless South Africans who primarily enjoy streaming content. This proclamation comes straight from the Minister of Communication and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi.<\/p>\n

In the past year, the minister acknowledged that the funding structure for the SA TV licence has crumbled. Consequently, an independent research and advisory organization, BMIT, was commissioned to explore alternative financial models to sustain the SABC. Yet, the firm’s report has not yet reached the government \u2026<\/p>\n

SA TV LICENCE FUNDING MODEL<\/h2>\n
\"SA
Although it may seem like the \u2018right thing to do,\u2019 many citizens regard it as a sheer waste of money. Image: File<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Last year, The South African<\/em> reported that the public broadcaster has an outstanding debt of approximately R1.2 billion<\/strong> owed to Sentech for unresolved signal distribution fees. The underpinning issue is the insufficient revenue stemming from the SA TV licence.<\/p>\n

As per Broadcast Media<\/em>, the rate of licence fee evasion has jumped from 69%<\/strong> in 2019 to 85%<\/strong> in 2025. Consequently, SABC claims it is unable to meet payment obligations to suppliers or produce significant television content. Nevertheless, civil rights groups express outrage at how top executives at SABC continue to receive substantial salaries annually.<\/p>\n

INDEPENDENT RESEARCHERS DRAG THEIR HEELS<\/h2>\n
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Executives at SABC are still among the highest compensated in the government, even while acknowledging the failure of their business model. Image: File<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In remarks made to the SABC, Minister Malatsi indicated that his department is still waiting for a report on various funding alternatives. This overdue report was expected to be submitted by the end of December 2025. However, BMIT failed to deliver on time and has now received an extension until Friday 6 February 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

According to BMIT, the postponement was due to extensive discussions with stakeholders and interruptions caused by the end-of-year holidays. However, the situation remains dire, as without necessary changes, the SABC faces total collapse, which would deprive millions of disadvantaged South Africans of public broadcasting access.<\/p>\n

WHAT ARE ALTERNATIVES TO SA TV LICENCE?<\/h2>\n

Various alternatives to conventional TV licences are currently under consideration:<\/p>\n

1. Broadcasting Tax<\/h3>\n