At a press conference held last week, the SABC announced that the public broadcaster would launch a dedicated sports channel which would provide more content about the World Cup and other sports content.
The SABC also revealed plans for the development of a sports centre to enable live and non-live feeds during 2010 FIFA World Cup. SABC Radio facilities will also be upgraded with digital equipment. This will benefit regional radio as they will be able to operate without relying on head office for equipment requests. By no later than June 2009, four mini satellite radio outside broadcast units will deliver broadcast via satellite.
SABC group executive for content enterprise Mvuzo Mbebe disclosed that the SABC in partnership with other companies would build 100 low power transmitter networks in areas that do not have a signal.
Nine new sites have been switched on by Sentech – four in Kgalagadi in the North West and five in central Karoo. Recently, ICASA has approved 11 licence applications. It is planning to have 56% population coverage by the end of the first year of operation and above 60% coverage by the time of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
“The SABC is well underway in establishing a channel offering for digital terrestrial television (DTT) currently in trial phase,” Mbebe said.
