In recent years, South Africans have increasingly stopped paying TV licences. This growing trend is having a significant impact on the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Despite efforts to enforce payment, many South Africans feel disillusioned with the current TV licences system. As a result, the public broadcaster is facing mounting financial challenges, which could ultimately affect its future sustainability. But why are South Africans refusing to pay TV licences, and what might this mean for the future of public broadcasting in South Africa?
The Declining Compliance with TV Licences
TV licence compliance in South Africa has hit alarming levels. According to the SABC’s latest annual reports, a staggering 87% of licence holders avoid paying their fees. This represents a significant decline in support for the national broadcaster, which relies heavily on these revenues for its operations. Despite efforts to crack down on evasion, the situation remains largely unchanged.
The South African government has yet to find an effective way to deal with this issue, which has grown worse over the past decade. Many citizens have opted out of paying their TV licences, citing various reasons such as financial strain, dissatisfaction with SABC programming, and the rise of alternative entertainment sources like streaming platforms.
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Why South Africans Are Stopping Payments
Economic Pressures and Financial Strain
The rising cost of living in South Africa has made it increasingly difficult for many families to afford TV licences. With inflation, unemployment, and other economic hardships, paying a TV licence fee becomes an unnecessary burden for many households. As a result, people are choosing to prioritise other expenses over the R265 annual TV licence fee.
The Popularity of Streaming Services
Another key factor behind the rise in non-payment is the growing popularity of streaming services. Platforms like Netflix, Showmax, and Disney+ provide an affordable and convenient alternative to traditional television. South Africans are turning to on-demand streaming for their entertainment needs, making the need to pay for a TV licence less appealing.
The introduction of online platforms has disrupted traditional media, leading many viewers to abandon conventional broadcasting. This shift in viewing habits means fewer South Africans are tuning into SABC channels, further eroding the need to contribute to TV licence fees.
The Financial Impact on the SABC
The SABC’s financial situation is rapidly deteriorating due to the increasing number of South Africans who stop paying TV licences. In the 2024/25 financial year, the SABC reported a R4.2 billion loss in potential revenue. The corporation billed R4.936 billion in TV licence fees, yet only managed to collect R758 million.
This revenue shortfall has placed immense strain on the broadcaster, which is already struggling with a large unfunded public mandate of R2.1 billion per year. With declining revenue and rising operational costs, the SABC recorded a net loss of R253.3 million for the year. The broadcaster’s ability to fulfill its public mandate of offering free-to-air content to millions of South Africans is increasingly at risk.
Proposed Solutions to the TV Licence Crisis
The South African government and the SABC are exploring new models to address the TV licence crisis. One such proposal is to replace the TV licence fee with a household levy. This would involve levying a fee on all households in the country, similar to Germany’s Rundfunkbeitrag system, where every household contributes to public broadcasting, regardless of whether they consume content.
Additionally, some have suggested implementing a streaming services levy. This would place a tax on local and international streaming providers like Netflix and DStv, contributing to the funding of the SABC. While the idea has received mixed reactions, it is clear that the SABC needs to find new ways to generate sustainable revenue to avoid financial collapse.
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The Role of Government and Industry in Reforming TV Licences
The South African government has recognised the urgent need to reform the current TV licence system. In 2025, Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications, announced that BMIT TechKnowledge, a South African ICT advisory firm, has been appointed to develop a new funding model for the SABC. This marks a significant step towards securing a sustainable future for the public broadcaster.
The new model is expected to explore a variety of options, including a tax on households or levies on streaming services. However, some stakeholders, including MultiChoice, the company behind DStv, have voiced opposition to the idea of collecting TV licence fees on behalf of the SABC, arguing that it would unfairly burden private companies.
The Future of TV Licences in South Africa
While the decline in TV licence payments poses a challenge for the SABC, it also presents an opportunity for reform. If the proposed changes, such as a household levy or streaming tax, are implemented, they could reshape the landscape of public broadcasting in South Africa.
The shift towards digital and on-demand media presents a unique opportunity to rethink how public services like the SABC are funded. The South African government, along with the SABC, must act quickly to implement reforms that balance the needs of the public and the sustainability of the broadcaster. Failing to do so may result in even more South Africans stopping their TV licence payments, further undermining the SABC’s ability to serve its audiences.
Read about the challenges facing MultiChoice as DStv subscribers decline in our article, MultiChoice Warns of Tough Times Ahead as DStv Subscribers Drop from over 23 Million to 19.3 Million
A Call for Reform in South African Broadcasting
The trend of South Africans stopping TV licence payments highlights the evolving media consumption habits in the country. As traditional TV viewing declines in favour of streaming services, it is crucial that the SABC and the government rethink their funding models. Whether through a household levy, a streaming service tax, or other innovative solutions, one thing is clear: reform is necessary for the future of public broadcasting in South Africa.
For more on the impact of TV licence evasion on the SABC and the proposed funding reforms.
