SABC Africa

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SABC Africa was the international television service of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, which ceased to broadcast on 1 August 2008 after poor performance on the DStv satellite television platform.

The channel started on 16 November 1998 as part of an initial two-channel agreement by the SABC with Multichoice for the whole of Africa, being initially positioned as a news channel. SABC Africa was carried on both C-band and Ku-band systems while its sister channel, Best of Africa (later Africa2Africa) was only carried on Ku-band to southern Africa. [1] Using the structure of SABC News, SABC Africa asserted the SABC's position and ambition of being a "totally African broadcaster", reducing its reliance on foreign news agencies. [2]

The two channels were officially launched on 25 August 2000. [3] The channel had half-hour news bulletins on the hour while the remaining half-hour was given to other programmes, among them Today in Africa, Ambassadors, Perspective and Talking Sport. [4]

The channel broadcast a variety of news and entertainment shows. The SABC's similar radio service Channel Africa continues to operate.

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References

  1. "Finally... news channel for Africa", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 20, February-April 1999
  2. "News on SABC-Africa", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 20, February-April 1999
  3. "SABC pay TV launched", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 27, November 2000-January 2001
  4. "The true African story", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 27, November 2000-January 2001