SABC blames load shedding for decline in viewers
This was according to the SABC's 'situational analysis' contained in the broadcasters updated corporate plan submitted to Parliament this week.
The South African Broadcast Corporation's (SABC) headquarters in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. Picture: Mike Powell/Wikimedia Commons
CAPE TOWN - The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) said that last year's power cuts had a devastating impact on the creative industry and the company.
While load shedding has been suspended for over a month, the SABC said that continued cuts in the year under review resulted in a decline in viewers.
The broadcaster also warned of an "end to prime time" because of load shedding.
This was according to the SABC's "situational analysis" contained in the broadcasters updated corporate plan submitted to Parliament this week.
The struggling public broadcaster has submitted its updated corporate plan to Parliament, which makes a direct correlation between load shedding and dwindling viewership.
In the report, the SABC lists the challenges affecting its performance, including load shedding and the funding model.
It said that load shedding had a "severe impact" on the creative industry, particularly the audio-visual sector, "which relies on constant and uninterrupted power supply for content production and delivery to broadcasters".
The SABC said that the delay in completing productions resulted in a decline in viewership and subsequently advertising spend, "a big blow to broadcasters and content producers alike".
The state entity further stated that load shedding was "wiping out television’s prime time, as we know it" and the plan showed a direct link between increasing power outages and the decrease in the amount of time viewers spend watching TV.