kykNET (DStv 144), the Afrikaans language TV channel on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform, says it "regrets" the decision of the SABC to marginalise its offering of Afrikaans television through the move of the seven o' clock Afrikaans TV news bulletin to SABC3, as well as the shift of Afrikaans drama from SABC2 to SABC3.
TV with Thinus reported that the SABC will be moving the Nuus om 7 on SABC2 to SABC3 permanently after the conclusion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, and to a new timeslot of 19:30.
SABC3's terrestrial TV channel footprint is the smallest of the SABC's three TV channels, which means that less people would be able to see this news bulletin on SABC3 than on SABC2.
TV with Thinus also reported that the SABC plans to move the Afrikaans drama slot which has always been on SABC2, to SABC3 permanently after the conclusion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
"SABC3 has a smaller footprint than SABC2. As a result, less Afrikaans speaking viewers will be able to see news on SABC channels in their own language," says kykNET in a statement.
"If reports are correct that the SABC also aims to move Afrikaans drama from its traditional home on SABC2, it is a setback for the Afrikaans TV industry and for the whole Afrikaans creative community," says kykNET.
"kykNET can confirm that the seven o' clock news bulletin in the evenings will continue unchanged. Regular news bulletins kan also be seen every weekday morning on the breakfast show, Dagbreek".
"Afrikaans news is now available on two channels: kykNET (DStv 144) and kykNET & Kie (DStv 145). kykNET & Kie is available on DStv Family for R185 per month".