SABC+ The evolution of the Over-The-Top (OTT) streaming service is steadily transforming the digital landscape in South Africa.

There is an ongoing debate amongst various scholars and media experts regarding the role of public service broadcasters considering the many technological changes in the broadcasting industry such as varying media consumption habits on multiplatform and multi-devices.

SABC+ as a public service digital platform, which is discharging publicly mandated programming, has responded with a resounding yes, through 19 radio stations and 6 television channels. The platform is providing South African viewers with free access to linear viewing, podcasts, radio streaming and an impressive catch-up library.

Since its launch in November 2022, SABC+ has managed to not only create a buzz, but has made great strides as a newcomer in the OTT market.

SABC+ has cemented its role in ensuring that South African viewers have universal access to sports, including games of national interest. The Rugby World Cup 2023 in France became the catalyst for the platform. The tournament managed to garner an average of 6,3 million views on both the app and web portal. The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 in India elicited as much interest, with viewers watching a total of 15,6 million minutes for the duration of the tournament on SABC+. The AFCON 2023/2024 tournament in January increased the total views to over 1,3 million for January and February solidifying SABC+’s presence as the home of sport for South African fans.

The viewership has been on an upward trend since its launch and in addition to popular linear shows, special occasions have spearheaded the growth in viewership.

The recent national and provincial elections held of 29 May are also a testament to the role SABC+ played in ensuring South Africans were well informed during the elections. The SABC launched SABC News Live, a special 24-hour pop-up channel on SABC+, with the intention of giving South Africans uninterrupted, round the clock coverage of elections content. The pop-up channel garnered a total of 931 593 views between 27 May and 2 June 2024. South Africans gathered on the OTT platform leading up to elections as well as post elections.

The SABC remains committed to innovation and in ensuring that the streaming platform remains world class. The SABC also upgraded its OTT platform on 3 July 2024 with enhanced features. The enhanced SABC+ is now compatible and downloadable on Apple TV (TVOS) and Google TV/Android Box. It also includes catch-up content and Video on Demand (VOD). The upgrades were well received by the public with over 150 000 registrations recorded within the first four (4) weeks.

Just in the first month since its revamp, the platform attracted 159824 new users. The broadcast of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games on the platform played a major role in the uptake of new registrations during this period, and the surge in viewership during August 2024, was driven by other live events such as the live Miss SA pageant. As at September, SABC+ boasts 390597 registered users.

The top 10 programmes in August 2024 include programmes currently trending on linear television channels such as Skeem Saam, Uzalo, Generations – The Legacy, and the recently launched S3’s B’Dazzed, starring media personality Bonang Matheba, as well as nostalgic programming such as 7 de Laan, Velaphi and Zone 14.

Top 10 programmes and figures for this period were as follows:

2024-08-01 / 2024-08-31

The organisation remains aware that SABC+ operates in a competitive landscape. Content remains king and ensuring a seamless user experience is the continued focus. SABC+ streaming platform remains committed to also enriching the platform with a continuous stream of fresh, high-quality content, while providing a platform for audiences to access nostalgic type programming.