For the first time the SABC is officially stating that it's working on brand-new digital TV channels, SABC Entertainment, SABC Sport and SABC Education.
The SABC that started its trial service with its own digital set top boxes (STB's) this year for the switch-over to digital terrestrial television (DTT) in South Africa from next year, says in its latest financial year report that the trial currently comprises 7 SABC TV channels.
These 7 SABC TV channels include digital broadcasting versions of SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3 (exactly the same ones that viewers are currently seeing, - but with added digital content of course like an electronic programme guide (EPG) - and other enhanced features), but also 3 trial channels: SABC Entertainment, SABC Sport and SABC Education.
(E.tv also has 2 trial channels as part of the mix but these 2 channels don't form a part of the 7).
The SABC is using 1 755 STB's in its DTT trial run pilot project.
Click on READ MORE below for more brand-new information on the new SABC Entertainment and SABC Education channels that I've found out.
The SABC launched SABC Entertainment on 1 November 2008 as a brand-new digital channel which will be freely available once South Africa makes the switch to DTT and everyone watches TV through a STB.
SABC Entertainment is being used as a research and development channel to test DTT of course, so the content is mostly repeats of stuff that has already been broadcast on SABC1, SABC2 and SABC3, as well as free outsourced material. The SABC says in its financial report that SABC Entertainment's vision is to ''be a leading premium, entertainment channel, which provides authentic, hassle-free infotainment''.
The SABC says that until the trial phase is concluded and the DTT platform is fully operational, SABC Entertainment ''cannot fully inform its programming, scheduling and marketing objectives, due to the lack of audience ratings and thorough marketing intelligence feedback''. What that means is that SABC Entertainment won't be a full, real TV channel with new and good TV shows or advertising before the DTT switch-over hasn't started. The SABC doesn't want to spend money on TV content for SABC Entertainment, before it doesn't have viewers that can lure advertising.
SABC Education has starting broadcasting on SABC Entertainment's channel between 14:00 and 18:00 daily. ''It provides content targeted at the formal education sector, from primary to high school education,'' says the SABC.
