The SABC has plans to launch its own video on demand streaming service next year.
This comes after the public broadcaster said a regulation is needed that would require pay-TV service provider MultiChoice (DStv) and popular streaming service Netflix to collect TV licences on behalf of the SABC.
According to a Channel24 report, the streaming service will be similar to that of the BBC iPlayer.
SABC spokesperson Mmoni Seapolelo told Channel24: “The SABC can confirm that it is planning to launch its video and audio streaming service with the ever-changing industry trends and consumer needs.
“At this stage, the SABC is not in a position to provide more detail, due to the commercial sensitivity of the information.”
In a presentation on Tuesday to Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Communications by Deputy Communications Minister Pinky Kekana, the public broadcaster said the “outdated” definition of a TV licence needs to be adapted.
Kekana indicated that TV licences could be expanded to include other devices.
“We also have other platforms where people consume content and in all of those areas that is where we should look at how we are able to get SABC licence fees from those gadgets,” Kekana said.
This basically means that the SABC wants users who watch on laptops and smartphones to pay licence fees.