TV licences are outdated, but is a streaming levy the right fix?
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GUEST – Leslie Adams – Sales Director at Reach Africa
The traditional TV licence model in South Africa is crumbling, with less than 20% of licence holders actually paying their fees. As a result, the government is exploring alternative funding options for the SABC—one of which is a levy on streaming services. But is this the right solution?
A streaming levy raises important questions: Who will ultimately bear the cost? Will global platforms cut back on local content investment? Could this lead to higher prices or even drive consumers toward piracy? And most importantly, can the funds be used transparently to benefit both the SABC and the local film and TV industry?
To unpack these pressing issues, we speak with Leslie Adams, Sales Director at Reach Africa, whose recent article challenges the viability of a streaming levy.
The traditional TV licence model in South Africa is crumbling, with less than 20% of licence holders actually paying their fees. As a result, the government is exploring alternative funding options for the SABC—one of which is a levy on streaming services. But is this the right solution?
A streaming levy raises important questions: Who will ultimately bear the cost? Will global platforms cut back on local content investment? Could this lead to higher prices or even drive consumers toward piracy? And most importantly, can the funds be used transparently to benefit both the SABC and the local film and TV industry?
To unpack these pressing issues, we speak with Leslie Adams, Sales Director at Reach Africa, whose recent article challenges the viability of a streaming levy.