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The struggling community television station Cape Town TV (CTV) has been granted a 7 year class license by the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (Icasa) after broadcasting for 2 years with 2 temporary one year licenses since September 2008.
''Getting this license represents a turning point for CTV,'' says Karen Thorne, CTV station director in a press statement. ''Now that we have achieved regulatory certainty, we know that we are going to be around for the next seven years. This means that we can plan ahead and build financial sustainability.''
''The first two years of CTV's existence were very challenging but the station has now firmly established its broadcast and production operations as well as stabilized its finances. Next year promises to be a significant growth period for the channel as it prioritizes increased local content, particularly in the areas of Afrikaans and isiXhosa language programming and local news,'' Karen Thorne says.
''The license gives CTV a legitimacy,'' she says, ''that will encourage the building of long term partnerships that will ensure the sustainability and growth of the channel. Donors and advertisers are now assured that their investments in the channel will have long-term benefits for the people of Cape Town.''
Icasa initially refused to consisder CTV's 7 year license application but eventually did so after public pressure mounted on the regulator. ''It [the 7 year license] gives us and the Cape Town community more security with the TV channel,'' says Martin Jansen, CTV board chairperson.
