The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) has released
the Promotion of Diversity and Competition on Digital Terrestrial Television
Regulations – a set of rules which will allow the regulator to license new free-to-
air and paid-for television services on the Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)
spectrum.
Originally only two multiplexes were to feature on the spectrum allocation for
DTT. 85% of multiplex one was allocated to the South African Broadcasting
Corporation (SABC), which would allow them to broadcast 17 channels. The
remaining 15% was allocated to existing community television channels. Of the
second multiplex, 55% was allocated to e.tv with a possible 11 channels, and
45% to M-Net with a possible nine channels. Creating a third DTT multiplex to
cater for new players in the broadcast field was a possibility that has now
materialised.
In addition, according to a notice issued by ICASA published on the Government
Gazette, after 36 months any unused community television capacity on multiplex
one will be re-allocated: “Any capacity on Multiplex one that is assigned in terms
of the Digital Migration Regulations to terrestrial television broadcasting service
licensees that provide community broadcasting services that is not required for
the digital broadcasting of those licensees’ channels, shall be assigned by the
Authority in terms of these Regulations to television broadcasting service
licensees that provide community broadcasting services.’
The notice states that capacity on multiplex three shall be allocated as follows:
“Up to forty-five per cent (45%) of the available capacity on Multiplex three shall
be assigned to one or more commercial subscription television broadcasting
service licensees pursuant to one or more invitations to apply for a radio
frequency spectrum licence issued in terms of regulation seven of the Radio
Frequency Spectrum Regulations.
“Up to fifty-five per cent (55%) of the available capacity on Multiplex three shall
be assigned to one or more commercial free-to-air television broadcasting
service licensees pursuant to one or more invitations to apply for a radio
frequency spectrum licence issued in terms of regulation seven of the Radio
Frequency Spectrum Regulations.’
The notice also outlines a number of regulations pertaining to licensees, stating
that those on multiplex one and three will need prior written authorisation for a
channel from ICASA. It also states that broadcasters assigned capacity on
multiplex one and three must ensure that an Electronic Programme Guide and
“information in relation to the nature and content of programming, are made
available to end-users in relation to the programming broadcast on a particular
digital channel.’
ICASA has stated that should licensees or broadcasters fail to comply with the
regulations, it may issue fines to them.
View the full notice featured on the Government
Gazette website
