You're reading it here first. The TV Industry Emergency Coalition (TVIEC) is accusing the SABC of planning ''bulk commissioning''. In order for the beleaguered public broadcaster to save money, the plan is now to commission a lot of shows, from just a few big producers who can handle such orders.
The TVIEC just released a press statement saying bulk commissioning ''will only serve to grow a handful of production companies that have capacity to manage bulk. We believe this goes against the very spirit of the SABC’s commitment to diversity and developing the industry – as well as ICASA’s recommendations. It will start to shape the type of content the SABC puts on air – cheap and studio-based.''
The TVIEC says bulk commissioning will ''cause irreparable damage to the independent production sector and to the SABC’s credibility''.
I'm waiting on a response from the broadcaster.
UPDATE: Wednesday, 17:00. The SABC tells me the broadcaster has ''always'' done bulk buying. ''Bulk buying is nothing new,'' says SABC spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago. ''We don't have any new plan.'' He says the SABC can't pay off debt and then make new debt.
''Producers wanted to be paid and now we're paying them. While we are doing that, they want to force us to make new debt. That would be irresponsible. If we sign for new productions, they will want to be paid immediately.''