The positive news that National Treasury has revealed which expects the SABC to report a profit of almost R1bn for the first time in more than five years in the 2026/27 financial year, is greatly welcomed.

This comes amidst news that the public broadcaster aims to double the number of users on its online video streaming platform to 1-million by 2027/28 as part of a broader effort to commercialise its digital properties. The corporation will focus on addressing its financial sustainability over the medium term. It has developed a strategy that details clear actions on new commercial capabilities to deepen its digital transformation to take advantage of new platforms and emerging technologies.

This will be done through the increased commercialisation of the recently revamped over-the-top platform known as SABC+, for which the broadcaster aims to have 1-million registered users by 2027/28; and social media platforms such as TikTok and WhatsApp channels to target the corporation’s growing online audience.

Total revenue is expected to increase at an average annual rate of 6.2%, from R6.5bn in 2024/25 to R7.8bn in 2027/28, and this is mainly from the collection of licence fees and advertising revenue. The ANC believes that all this bodes well for the broadcaster and that it can only go from strength to strength.