T HE South African Broadcasting Corporation recorded a R112-million surplus for the year to March 1999, the broadcaster said in a statement on Tuesday. This is a further increase on the surplus of R105-million for the 18 months ending in March 1998, compared to a deficit of R60-million for the 1997 financial year. Revenue improved by 19,1% to R2,036-billion. The increase was attributed to an increase in television advertising and paying of television licences. The SABC said the rate of pirate viewers dropped to 46% — the first time in five years that the figure dropped below 50%.