The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on Thursday presented an application to split its radio and television services into public and commercial broadcasting, SABC television news reported on Thursday.
The broadcaster’s chief executive, Peter Matlare, made a formal oral presentation before the telecommunications regulator, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa), in Sandton.
Matlare told Icasa the split would see three radio stations (Metro FM, 5fm and Good Hope FM) and television channel SABC3 broadcasting commercially.
All the other radio stations and television channels would remain as public-service broadcasters, with television licence revenue shared among them.
Interested parties, such as the free-to-air channel e.tv and the Freedom of Expression Institute, are expected to make presentations before a final decision is made early next year. — Sapa