Sky: "Guys, why have people stopped paying their TV licence?"
Sky digs a little deeper...
From the time we can remember, having a TV is essential, but we know that in order to have a TV, a TV licence is important.
According to the SABC, a television licence or broadcast receiving licence is a payment required in many countries for the reception of television broadcasts or the possession of a television set.
Read more: Hollywoodbets swoops in to save the day for all SABC viewers
However, in recent years, a growing number of South Africans have been questioning the necessity of paying for a TV licence.
According to MyBroadband, revenue from TV licence fees has continued to decline in the 2022/2023 financial year and is the biggest increase in evasion since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sky Tshabalala was amazed at the fact that people aren't paying their fees.
"Hayibo, guys, why isn't anyone at the SABC keeping track of the fact that people aren't paying? Also, it's probably the same people who then complain and want the Rugby World Cup to be live on SABC," says Sky.
This trend has been attributed to various factors, including changes in media consumption habits, legal ambiguities, and the rise of alternative entertainment platforms.
SABC board chair, Khathutselo Ramukumba, revealed that the TV licence evasion rate over the last financial year was "somewhere upwards of 87%", increasing from the 82% evasion rates in 2021 and 2022.
Read more: Ramaphosa appoints new SABC board
The history of the TV licence system in SA dates back to the 1970s when it was introduced to fund public broadcasting services.
Since then, the landscape of media consumption has changed dramatically.
The SABC TV licence has an evasion rate that is captured from 2018 to 2023. The evasion rate is as follows:
- 2018 — 72%
- 2019 — 69%
- 2020 — 81%
- 2021 — 82%
- 2022 — 82%
- 2023 — 87%
Read more: SABC, MultiChoice reach Rugby World Cup broadcast agreement
Alternative funding models, such as a subscription-based system or increased government funding, have been discussed.
However, any changes would require a comprehensive re-evaluation of the current broadcasting and funding structures.
MORE ON EAST COAST RADIO:
Main image attribution: Unsplash/ Erik Mclean