The SABC's radical - and some shocking - suggestions to increase SABC TV Licence fee revenue: a hike in fees and fines, fines for retailers, blacklisting, and retailers and pay-TV operators forced to see a licence before decoder sales or activating pay-TV services.

The SABC is making radical and shocking suggestions about how it wants to raise revenue from SABC TV Licence fees - including a price hike, the credit blacklisting of bad payers, and a big increase in fines for no licence and late licence renewal.

The SABC also wants the broadening of the "TV set" definition to include more devices, retailers to be forced to ask for a valid licence before they're allowed to sell a DStv or Openview decoder in their shops, and for pay-TV operators like MultiChoice and StarSat to be forced to see a valid SABC TV licence first before proving a pay-TV service to a subscriber.

Last week on Thursday the beleaguered South African public broadcaster, that the auditor-general called "commercially insolvent", called for a massive overhaul of the SABC TV Licence fee including an increase in the mandatory R265 annual fee.

The SABC has only 1.8 million paying TV households and businesses out of over 9 million accounts on its database. Besides the 7.2 million not paying, South Africa has an overall approximate 14 million TV households, meaning there are another roughly 5 million TV households that don't have any SABC TV licence.


Licence fee hike
In the SABC's 55-page submission on 31 August for the review of South Africa's public broadcasting policy, the SABC says it wants SABC TV Licence fees to be increase.

The SABC says the fee of R265 remained unchanged since 2013 and that South Africans should actually be paying R517.75 by 2018 if the fee increased along with the annual inflation rate since 2002.

"Currently the SABC TV Licence fee amounts to 72c a day. In 2018 this is very little if anything that you can buy for 72c a day," the SABC says in its submission.


Show a licence before you can buy a decoder
The SABC also wants the definition of "television set" to be broadened.

The SABC wants the definition broadened to not just include more devices like set-top boxes, decoders, PVRs and satellite TV dishes, but to also force insurance companies, retailers and pay-TV operators like MultiChoice to ask for proof of a SABC TV Licence before the sale in a shop of a set-top box like e.tv's Openview or of a DStv decoder.

"In order to enforce compliance on the payment of licence fees, additional entities must be required to report on the sale or lease or use of television sets. In particular, the entities should include insurance companies and pay-TV operators," says the SABC.

If approved, it will mean that South Africans will no longer be able to buy something like a StarSat decoder, DStv decoder, or even e.tv's Openview set-top box for its free-to-air satellite TV service without showing a SABC TV licence.

"A definition of television set needs to be agreed that broadens the net to include all receiving devices and apparatus that are capable of receiving television broadcasts over the broadcasting radio frequency spectrum but not so broad as to include all mobile phones, tablets and computing devices," says the SABC.


Stiff dealer and pay-TV operator fine
The SABC also wants SABC TV Licence legislation changed so that "a dealer who sells or alienates TV sets as defined in the regulations to a person who is not in possession of a television licence should be liable to pay a penalty of R3 000 per broadcast-enabling devise sold".

The SABC says "penalties of R3 000 per TV set must be levied on retailers and or pay-TV operators who issue subscriptions services and/or decoders to unlicensed/invalid viewers".

The SABC also wants the legislation to be changed to "retailers found without a valid dealer's licence – penalty of R10 000 per store".


MultiChoice, StarSat must check
The SABC also wants pay-TV operators like StarTimes Media SA, MultiChoice and Deukom to be forced to make sure someone has a SABC TV licence before they're given a DStv or StarSat subscription.

"It is also proposed that subscribers should be in possession of a valid television licence prior to subscription and purchasing or renting a decoder," says the SABC.


Bigger fines for late renewal
The SABC also wants an increase in the late renewal fine for people who don't renewed their SABC TV licence annually when it's due.

The SABC wants "penalties for late renewal of a SABC TV Licence to be increased from 10% to 20% per month, to a maximum of 100% after 5 months. The 100% penalty threshold would thus be reached after 5 months and not after 10 months, as is currently the case".


Bigger fines for no licence
The SABC also wants a 100% increase in the fine payable by people caught without a SABC TV licence, saying "penalties for unlicensed viewers – to be amended from double to four times the
amount of the applicable licence fee".


Credit blacklisting
While the SABC isn't currently allowed to do it, the broadcaster also proposes that "the SABC should be allowed to place 'adverse listings' on non-compliant licence holders' credit profiles".


In the SABC's just released annual financial report 2017/2018 for the year until the end of March, the SABC revealed that it billed R3.378 billion in SABC TV Licences but only got R941 million in revenue from this.

The SABC is owed more than R25 billion in unpaid SABC TV Licence fees of which it already wrote off a staggering R4.5 billion related to over 1 million so-called "invalid" accounts.

TV CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK. Another e.tv publicist just gone without a word, as the next e.tv publicity manager also bails without as much as a goodbye.

In somewhat of an ongoing, embarrassing and recurring pattern for eMedia Investment's e.tv, yet another e.tv publicity manager at the free-to-air broadcaster is just, well, gone without a trace or as much as even a goodbye.

With no word about a(ny) replacement, journalists and TV critics started wondering last week and on Monday what is going on at e.tv where yet another publicity manager quietly exited, with neither e.tv nor the publicist who bothered to liaise or do "media relations"-ing to inform the press or to say goodbye.

Publicity people just leaving e.tv, oddly without saying they're leaving is a strange pattern that stretches back over the bigger part of the last decade. 

e.tv's publicity effort took a further dive this year with a weird and hapless Imbewu media launch that caused the press to roll their eyes, while e.tv publicity told me when I asked what happened that "we tried something new". (Something that clearly didn't really work).

That was followed by the trash-handling PR disaster of e.tv dumping Sunrise on its 10th anniversary and the controversial replacement by the outsourced The Morning Show with barely any publicity support or help to the press.

e.tv's publicity department was never able to move beyond a "it's a sensitive issue" when asked what's going on and doing nothing to actually help media covering either Surise's demise or the roll-out of The Morning Show. 

Then followed further deep sighs and a "lets just move on" attitude from the press before and after eNCA's (DStv 403) cojoined, underplayed 10th birthday celebration that saw no engagement with the media from e.tv and the pitiful eNCA on-air rebrand and studio makeover that did away with the Africa logo where e.tv squandered goodwill, media buy-in and countless positive coverage opportunities by basically doing nothing and ignoring relevant media who did cared but gave up on trying to mark the milestone. 

e.tv didn't bother to get any handle on the ongoing wave of defections at eNCA this year with no responses to media enquiries about it, or even any basic type of response or announcements when people leave which is what publicity divisions (are supposed to) do.

Information and coverage about eMedia Investment's Openview remains nearly non-existent in the press since e.tv does nothing about news and developments like its set-top box that recently became PVR enabled - not just frustrating the press but also e.tv and Openview installers who are quietly complaining.

Journalists from across South Africa told me they would ask e.tv things - like specifically about the PVR capability of Openview, and get no responses.

Then there's the nothing-ado-about-nothing about news like the eNews studio makeover unveiled last month.

OpenNews, the new Afrikaans content on the eExtra channel and the new Afrikaans daily TV news bulletin Nuusdag are launching on 1 October but there been no word from e.tv or Openview to the press about any of it. 

(Openview itself of course rebranded its look and logo but again, neither Openview nor e.tv bothered to do any PR.)

Last week the now-former e.tv publicity manager Michael Pocock's email started sending out "the recipient's mailbox is full and can't accept messages now. Please try resending this message later" when contacted.

"Michael Pocock gone from e.tv without a word," said a longtime editor covering television on Monday who reached out to tell me, a sentiment echoed by others who were not told and slowly found out.

Indeed, he left just like his e.tv predecessor Matla Ragoasha, with media not being told, not told what's going on or who they need to deal with now, and press not left with a good impression of e.tv and how PR and proper media relationship building from the broadcaster is supposed to be done.

New local comedy stand-up series, Trevor Noah presents NationWild, quietly switches from M-Net to Showmax.

M-Net's new Trevor Noah stand-up series spotlighting local comedians has quietly been switched to MultiChoice's Showmax streaming service where the entire 13-episodes of Trevor Noah presents NationWild will become available for binge-watching from 24 September.

A year ago in August 2017, M-Net (DStv 101) with Trevor Noah who visited South Africa, announced that it's reteaming with the host of The Daily Show on Comedy Central (DStv 122) for a new stand-up series to showcase new local talent.

"In the series I will be working with M-Net, me being in South Africa, gathering the finest comedians from across the country, and showcasing them to viewers in South Africa and saying 'hey, these are the comedians who will make you laugh' for every walk of life, every single race, every single language," said Trevor Noah at last year's press conference, adding that "I will be hosting the episodes, showcasing some of the comedians who I think deserve to be out there".

It's not clear when it happened but Trevor Noah presents NationWild has however quietly switched to Naspers' subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) Showmax now run by MultiChoice, as an exclusive Showmax first.

Neither M-Net nor Showmax made an announcement about the secret switcheroo but Showmax on Monday in a press release announced the stars who will appear in "Trevor Noah's new Showmax show this month".

Trevor Noah present NationWild will roll out on one of the M-Net channels later as MultiChoice is trying to make a bigger dent in its fight against rival streaming services like Netflix South Africa and Amazon Prime Video with original local South African content.

Trevor Noah handpicked all 13 comedians and each episode features a short introductory set by Trevor as the host, an interview with the featured comedian about their ladder to success, followed by that comedian’s set.

The 13 comedians who will feature in Trevor Noah presents NationWild include Tsitsi Chiumya, Phil De Lange, Gavin Kelly, Keenan Cerff, Kraai Du Toit, Mbu Msongwela, Noko Moswete, Tshireletso "Mo" Mothebe, Virgil Prins (aka Prins), Bongani Dube, Gilli Apter, Lindy Johnson, and Eric Jansen.

"Trevor Noah’s global success proves that  SA’s comics are among the best in the world," says Candice Fangueiro, head of content at Showmax.

"We've worked hard to make Showmax the home of South African comedy, so we’re delighted to add Trevor Noah presents NationWild to our line-up of hilarious shows, which includes The Roast of Somizi and comedy specials with the likes of 2018 Comics Choice Comedy G award winner David Kau and nominees like Marc Lottering and Mpho Popps."

MultiChoice asks staffers to reapply for jobs as Naspers' pay-TV arm looks at up to 200 job cuts 'to remain globally competitive'.

MultiChoice has asked staffers at Naspers' pay-TV arm to reapply for their jobs, as the Randburg-based subscription television business that might list separately in future on the JSE, is looking at cutting down on personnel numbers.

While the percentage of DStv Premium subscribers - the most valuable segment in terms of revenue - as part of MultiChoice's overall subscriber base continues to shrink, the company is looking at cutting as many as 200 staffers from its 7 000 workforce.

The embattled South African public broadcaster is similarly looking at job cuts of its almost 4 000 strong workforce and already let go of fixed-term contract workers and freelancers at the end of August who worked for its SABC News (DStv 404) channel despite getting a multi-million rand channel carriage agreement renewal for this channel with MultiChoice in August.  

MultiChoice was asked if the number of 200 is correct and if it's accurate that the company is considering job cuts. 

MultiChoice responded to TVwithThinus with a statement saying "we are creating a leaner and more agile organisation in order to remain globally competitive as we continue to deliver a world-class entertainment experience to our customers and value to our 90 000 BEE shareholders".

"We are looking at different ways to transform our business into a more agile and digitally-focused company."

In its financial year to the end of March 2018, although MultiChoice's overall DStv subscribers numbers continue to grow, it shed another 41 000 DStv Premium subscribers across Africa as consumers no longer see the most expensive package as offering enough distinctive value compared to other DStv bouquets.

While MultiChoice is earning more money overall from more DStv and GOtv subscribers, a growing percentage comes from lower-tiered packages where MultiChoice makes less money per consumer, with the average revenue per user (ARPU) that has slid from R353 to R344 per month due to the decline in DStv Premium subscribers.

Idols announces its youngest top 10 ever as Mzansi Magic and the producers promise more mentoring and support.

Idols on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Sunday evening announced the top 10 contestants for the 14th season - all based on viewers' votes - with M-Net and the producers, [SIC] Entertainment, who said they are doing more this year to provide psychologically support for the singers thrust into the world of sudden fame and who represent the series' youngest South African group ever.

On Sunday the three judges decided to forego their two "wildcard" saves with the top 16 contestants who were whittled down to the top 10 all based purely on viewer voting that continue to show massive grown and with the 14th season's number of votes that will likely dwarf anything the show has seen before by the time the live finale rolls around in late-November.

The top 10 represent the youngest Idols group since the show began on M-Net in March 2002 and range in age between just 17 and 23.

In fact the youngest contestant this year was just one year old when Idols first started, with the show's viewer interaction, ratings and voting more, higher and bigger than it has ever been before for what is a veteran show and where a decline and drop-off is not just expected but actually what would be considered normal.

"The announcement of the top 10 is launching what potentially could be the biggest season of Idols ever in South Africa. We're in season 14 and it doesn't ever get lower. This is potentially the biggest season," said Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's director of local entertainment channels, at Sunday's post-show press conference with the 10 contestants and producers.

"It's all because of the talent on display and the people who make the show. These are the people who need viewers to vote and viewers love to follow them and vote. Last year I did say that as long as Idols perform we will always support it and it doesn't seem as if it's slowing down at all. I'd like to thank the producers for that. I'd like to thank the amazing talent that exist in South Africa."

"In the 14th season you'd think that we would be running out of talent and we're more, we keep unearthing more and more spectacular voices. So congratulations," said Reneilwe Sema.

Co-executive producer Tebogo Thekiso known as ProVerb said that in regard to social media, the production team as as a TV show that is for the people "one can't be oblivious to what is the general thought, what is the general feeling."

"We do not allow social media to dictate the direction of the show but we do obviously consider what is the general feeling and what is most responded to and that can possibly inform some of the decisions we make going forward."

In terms of the voting he said "Sunday was the perfect indication of where the priority on Idols actually lies. So the judges, sure, may comment and give advice, but ultimately it's up to the viewers and the voters and the priority should be there."


More mentoring for contestants and support
Following the documented psychological issues that the runner-up of the 13th season of Idols, Mthokozisi Ndaba from KwaMashu, experienced who eventually cracked under the pressure and couldn't cope and claimed that he wanted to leave during the top 10 but was prevented from doing so - something [SIC] Entertainment strongly denied - TVwithThinus asked Mzansi Magic and the producers on Sunday night what is being done more, better, new or differently to support the very young group of contestants this year.

"We've got a 24/7 doctor on standby who's at the house whenever the contestants call. And then we do have help with regards to medical, religious or psychological whenever they need it said. But our first point of call is our doctor," Gavin Wratten, the director-executive producer and Idols showrunner, said.

Bongi Potelwa-Metsing, Mzansi Magic spokesperson said "Also this year what we try to do is to bring in from the industry experts to teach the top 10 how to handle the media, how to handle the disappointment".

"We know everyone goes through those emotions so we try to do our best in the background as the channel, and the production. So we are looking after the contestants' well-being."


Here are Idols' top 10 for 2018's 14th season:

Yanga Sobetwa (17) is flying the Generation Z flag high and proud. Following the footsteps of last season’s teen victor, Paxton, Season 14’s youngest contestant has stepped out of the Cape Town township of Langa straight into the national spotlight. 

Nosipho Silinda (18) recently celebrated her birthday in the Idols house, and South Africa gifted the Grade 11 pupil from Ladysmith in KZN with a spot in the Top 10.

Ntokozo Makhathini (18) must be drinking the same Witbank water as her neighbour, Idols season nine winner Musa. Whatever it is, she’s keeping her small town on the map with her inclusion in the Top 10. 

Basimane Boys Melato aka King B (19) was the first to hear the magic words “You’re in the Top 10!” from ProVerb. The HR student from Kagiso has been a firm favourite since his dazzling Theatre Week performance that saw him get a standing ovation, which he followed up with another crowd-pleasing performance during the Top 16 Boys show. He reciprocated the love with his now trademark vosho…as Kings do!

Zamagambu Memela aka Xae (19) made Idols history by becoming the first contestant to get a Golden Ticket autographed – by all the judges. While that was a sweet but meaningless gesture, making it into the Top 10 is a big deal for the youngster from Pinetown, Durban.

Thando Mngomezulu (19) finally overcame her crippling lack of confidence to give a dynamite performance that saw the country showing their appreciation with votes. South Africa spoke, the judges listened, and Thando from Jozi made it to the Top 10.

Mthokozisi Nqcobo (20) may have had only two pairs of shoes when he first auditioned, but his spot in the Top 10 proves walking in them to the audition was worth it. The Umlazi, Durban, native is finally on stage doing what he says heals his heart – singing.

Thato Makape (23) is the epitome of courage and determination, as his inclusion in the Top 10 proves. A barber from Postmasburg in the Northern, Makape travelled nearly 10 000 km for an audition in Cape Town. Tonight, South Africa showed him that the journey was worth it.

Lincoln Lewis (22) from Ravensmead on the Cape Flats has been bringing fire every time he steps on stage. After being told he had given judges “the best audition of the season so far”, he went on to impress during Theatre Week and received a unanimous thumbs-up for his Top 16 performance.

Niyaaz Arendse (22) snatched the last spot in the Top 10. After many years of rejection on the show, it was no wonder the youngster from Ottery, Cape Town, was overcome with emotion.

SABC, South African Football Association confirm that the public broadcaster will show the national football team's 2019 Afcon qualifier against Libya on Saturday on SABC1.

The SABC on Thursday confirmed that despite problems with the South African Football Association (Safa) that the South African public broadcaster on Saturday will broadcast the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifier match between the South African national football team, Bafana Bafana, and Libya.

It comes after a drawn-out payment dispute between Safa and the SABC with the public broadcaster that owes the football organisation millions of rands in non-payment, and with both organisations who have been at loggerheads over ongoing broadcasting rights of Bafana matches.

Safa gave the SABC an ultimatum to either pay a third of the R50 million owed in the previous overdue contract, or face a complete blackout.

Danny Jordaan, Safa president, and members of the SABC board met on Wednesday night to try and hammer out a resolution but the crisis was only resolved on Thursday.

Neo Momodu, SABC spokesperson told the soccer site KickOff that the upcoming 2019 Afcon qualifier on Saturday between Bafana Bafana and Libya at the Moses Mabhinda stadium in Durban will be broadcast on SABC1. The kick-off time of the game is 15:00.

"Yes, we will be broadcasting it live on SABC1, including all of our African language radio stations, as well as Radio 2000," Neo Momodu said.

"I don't know if you can call it a problem or a challenge or whatever you wanna call it. Discussions between SABC and Safa, they are still ongoing. What is relevant to the SABC at this stage is the fact that they will be getting the game," Neo Momodu said.

The match will also be broadcast on SuperSport on Saturday at 15:00.

Danny Jordaan, Safa president in a statement late on Thursday said "we are pleased to announce that we have resolved the outstanding issues and I would like to thank the SABC in making sure that the nation will watch their favourite sport on the national broadcaster."

"I would also like to thank the ministries of sport and recreation and communications for working hard to resolve this matter."

Disney Channel orders new father-daughter comedy, Sydney to the Max, taking place in the present with flashbacks to the 1990s.

The Disney Channel (DStv 303) has ordered a new father-daughter comedy series, Sydney to the Max, with Ruth Righi and Ian Reed Kesler that will roll out on the channel from sometime in 2019.

Production has started on Sydney to the Max that revolves around the single dad Max (Ian Reed Kesler) and his primary school daughter Sydney (Ruth Righi) who navigate the challenges of growing up.

The comedy that Disney Channel describes as "heartwarming and sentimental" is interestingly set during two timeframes - decades apart - with flashback scenes to young Max (Jackson Dollinger) and his best friend Leo (Christian J. Simon) as they were during the 1990s.

The challenges and situations that Max and Leo faced decades ago are juxtaposed in the same episodes by the present challenges that confront Sydney and her friend Olive (Ava Kolker).

"VHS camcorders, bleached skater hair and other 1990s-defining 'relics' aside, Sydney and Max come to realize, aided by Sydney’s kicky grandmother Judy (Caroline Rhea), who’s well-versed in Max’s childhood antics, that they have more in common than either realizes," says Disney.

Sydney to the Max was created by Mark Reisman who is also the executive producer with the series that is produced by It's A Laugh Productions.

"With Sydney to the Max Mark Reisman has given us a series full of heart, humor and honesty," says Jonas Agin, Disney Channels vice president for original series, in a statement.

"On one level, it explores the beautifully complex relationship between a girl and her father and a boy and his mother."

"On another level, by existing in two distinct eras, it highlights how the smallest experiences of childhood have the biggest impact on who we become - and how every generation, despite its unique challenges, is filled with the universal truth that kids will always face the same joys, fears and excitement as their parents did."

"We couldn’t be prouder to have this as our next series on Disney Channel."

Deen Channel adds new Monday night political series, Be the Change, with political scientist Dr Lubna Nadvi.

The Deen Channel (StarSat 265) this week added a new Monday night political series entitled, Be the Change, fronted by the academic and political scientist Dr Lubna Nadvi from KwaZulu-Natal.

Be The Change is broadcast weekly on Mondays at 20:30 on the Deen Channel with repeats on Sundays at 19:00.

"Be the Change is a space to discuss contemporary socio-political and economic issues that impact on broader society and seek solutions for change for a better future," says Dr Lubna Nadvi.

Be the Change will profile organisations and individuals that are working to make a difference in society as well as highlight current issues that are affecting communities both locally in South Africa and internationally.

Worldwide voting, including for South Africa, opens for E!’s 2018 People’s Choice Awards with 13 new categories.

E! Entertainment (DStv 124) will broadcast the E! People's Choice Awards on Monday 12 November at 04:00, preceded by two hours of E! Live from the Red Carpet coverage from 02:00 on the same morning.

The E! People's Choice Awards will be a live broadcast from Barker Hanger in Santa Monica.

The E! People's Choice Awards has 13 new categories including The Bingworthy Show of 2018, The Concert Tour of 2018, Game Changer of 2018, Revival Show of 2018, The Style Star of 2018 and the Pop Podcast of 2018 with South Africans and other African viewers who can vote for their favourites online.

E! is now asking fans worldwide to select their choice from the 12 nominees, along with a write-in option in each category to help determine the 5 finalists who will move forward to the next phase of voting.

Nomination voting for the 43 categories across movies, television, music and pop culture runs until Saturday 15 September and people can vote online at www.pca.eonline.com or through Facebook and Twitter.

After the voting window closes, the top 5 nominees based on fan votes in each category will become the official finalists. The finalist voting will start on 24 September until 19 October.

The 13 new categories are:

Game Changer of 2018 (recognising an athlete who's had a social or professional impact this year)
Style Star of 2018
The Beauty Influencer of 2018
Animal Star of 2018
The Music Video of 2018
The Concert Tour of 2018
The Comedy Act of 2018
The Pop Podcast of 2018
The Revival Show of 2018
The Reality Show of 2018
The Bingeworthy Show of 2018
The Competition Contestant of 2018
The Reality TV Star of 2018