South African television is broadcast in all eleven official languages, as well as in German, Hindi, Portugese - and even in sign.
Although the country was one of the last in Africa to have a television service, South Africans now have access to a wide spectrum of local and international drama, comedy, sports and news through their televisions.
The country's first television broadcast took place in the major cities in 1975, before the first nation-wide broadcast on 6 January 1976.
The government at the time had resisted the introduction of television, fearing that it would dilute the state's control over the press and radio.
Since its launch, South African television has been broadcast in colour, on the PAL system. The relatively late introduction of television to the country had its advantages, as the state-controlled South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) was able to skip the expensive transition between black-and-white and colour.
The SABC's broadcasting monopoly ended in 1986 when the subscription-based MNet was launched.
Since the advent of democracy in 1994, South Africans have seen a number of new television channels introduced by both the SABC and other private operators. Both the SABC and MNet broadcast across Africa.
South African Broadcasting Corporation
South Africa's semi-public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), receives funding through both license fees and advertising. The SABC broadcasts on three domestic channels, with a mixed entertainment and public service mandate.
SABC1 is the most watched television channel in South Africa. The channel broadcasts in a wide range of languages, carrying news, entertainment and sports.
SABC2 also carries programming in a range of languages, including most of the SABC's Afrikaans programming. The channel has a high proportion of locally produced programming.
SABC3 runs most of the SABC's English content, including many American and British comedies and dramas.
The SABC also broadcasts SABCAfrica, a news and entertainment channel, to the rest of the continent.
MNet and DSTV
MNet, started in 1986, is a subscription channel. The MNet signal is usually encoded, except for an "Open Time" between 5pm and 7pm. This free to air period is an relic of MNet's licensing conditions, and will come to an end in April 2007.
MNet broadcasts a mix of children's entertainment, drama, sport and movies. The channel does not carry any news programming, although it does run some current affairs programmes.
DSTV is MNet's digital satellite service, launched in 1995. The subscription-based service is available in South Africa and throughout Africa.
DSTV carries more than 50 channels, ranging from South African produced content, to international syndicated content, sports and news. There are also various "bouquets", a bundle of channels available for catering to some of South Africa's expatriate communities.
MNet also has a Web TV service, Kuduclub, for South Africans living further afield. This provides a wide range of South African television and radio for play through a computer.
e.tv
Launched in 1998, e.tv is South Africa's only free-to-air television channel. The station carries a mix of news, sports and entertainment. e.tv broadcasts mainly in English, although does carry some programming in other languages in order to comply with its license requirements.
Although the country was one of the last in Africa to have a television service, South Africans now have access to a wide spectrum of local and international drama, comedy, sports and news through their televisions.
The country's first television broadcast took place in the major cities in 1975, before the first nation-wide broadcast on 6 January 1976.
The government at the time had resisted the introduction of television, fearing that it would dilute the state's control over the press and radio.
Since its launch, South African television has been broadcast in colour, on the PAL system. The relatively late introduction of television to the country had its advantages, as the state-controlled South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) was able to skip the expensive transition between black-and-white and colour.
The SABC's broadcasting monopoly ended in 1986 when the subscription-based MNet was launched.
Since the advent of democracy in 1994, South Africans have seen a number of new television channels introduced by both the SABC and other private operators. Both the SABC and MNet broadcast across Africa.
South African Broadcasting Corporation
South Africa's semi-public broadcaster, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), receives funding through both license fees and advertising. The SABC broadcasts on three domestic channels, with a mixed entertainment and public service mandate.
SABC1 is the most watched television channel in South Africa. The channel broadcasts in a wide range of languages, carrying news, entertainment and sports.
SABC2 also carries programming in a range of languages, including most of the SABC's Afrikaans programming. The channel has a high proportion of locally produced programming.
SABC3 runs most of the SABC's English content, including many American and British comedies and dramas.
The SABC also broadcasts SABCAfrica, a news and entertainment channel, to the rest of the continent.
MNet and DSTV
MNet, started in 1986, is a subscription channel. The MNet signal is usually encoded, except for an "Open Time" between 5pm and 7pm. This free to air period is an relic of MNet's licensing conditions, and will come to an end in April 2007.
MNet broadcasts a mix of children's entertainment, drama, sport and movies. The channel does not carry any news programming, although it does run some current affairs programmes.
DSTV is MNet's digital satellite service, launched in 1995. The subscription-based service is available in South Africa and throughout Africa.
DSTV carries more than 50 channels, ranging from South African produced content, to international syndicated content, sports and news. There are also various "bouquets", a bundle of channels available for catering to some of South Africa's expatriate communities.
MNet also has a Web TV service, Kuduclub, for South Africans living further afield. This provides a wide range of South African television and radio for play through a computer.
e.tv
Launched in 1998, e.tv is South Africa's only free-to-air television channel. The station carries a mix of news, sports and entertainment. e.tv broadcasts mainly in English, although does carry some programming in other languages in order to comply with its license requirements.
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