SABC TIMELINE

1936 1 August the SABC is established through the Act of Parliament and the first meeting of the SABC Board of Governors.

1937 An Afrikaans radio service is established to run parallel to the English service as A and B programmes. The Broadcast House in Johannesburg is opened and remains the headquarters of the SABC until it moves to Auckland Park in 1975.

1938 The broadcaster tables its first Annual Report for the period 1 August 1936 to 31 December 1937.

1939 The SABC openly supports the World War two under the tutelage of Rene’s Caprara, who was the Director General of the SABC.

1940 The first broadcast of isiZulu, isiXhosa and Sesotho are relayed for war support.

1942 Direct broadcasts in African languages are introduced on medium wave.

1945 The ‘U Eie Keuse’ was first broadcast and until this day it’s still running on RSG.

1950 The successful story of Springbok Radio begins as the first commercial radio service, that ruled the airwaves for more than 35 years.

1952 The first market research survey is done and showed that Springbok had 632 000 adult listenership, bringing in a Million Rand worth of advertising revenue.

1953 A rediffusion service relaying the African language broadcasts is introduced to metropolitan areas and townships throughout South Africa.

1960 African language service called Radio Bantu is launched and attracted massive listener reaction, leading to the creation of Radio Zulu, Radio Xhosa and Radio Sesotho.

1961 25 December, the first FM transmission is made from the SABC tower in Johannesburg broadcasting in English, Afrikaans and Springbok radio.

1962 The launch of Radio Lebowa and Radio Setswana.

1964 Launch of regional radio station, Radio Highveld.

1965 Launch of Radio Tsonga and Radio Venda and the launch of Radio Good Hope a Cape Town regional radio station.

1966 The official launch of the ‘Voice of South Africa’ which went on air as Radio RSA, to counties north of South Africa. In 1992 it was changed to Channel Africa.

1967 Launch of Radio Port Natal later to be known as East Coast Radio.

1975 The SABC takes over the Mozambique based LM Radio and launches it as Radio 5. The SABC moves from Broadcast House, Corner Commissioner and Troye, Johannesburg to current premises in Auckland Park.

1976 The SABC introduces Television services for the first time in South Africa.

1978 SABC TV aired their first advertisement by a winning bidder of R11 000 for 30 seconds by Lintas Agency advertising the ‘Big T Burgers’.

1982 The launch of Radio Swazi, TV2 and TV3 sharing the same platform.

1983 TV2 and TV3 were split into separate channels and the launch of Radio Lotus and Radio Ndebele.

1985 The introduction of TV4 which aired after the TV2 and 3 services at 21:00.

1986 Launch of Radio South Africa (now SAfm), Radio 2000 and regional stations such as Radio Jacaranda, Radio Oranje and Radio Algoa. This saw the introduction of simulcast and simultaneous transmission on TV and Radio. The introduction of Radio Metro the first black English station.

1990 Another regional Radio Station is called Radio Kontrei (later to be known as Kfm) established.

1991 TSS (Topsport Surplus) was introduced as a supplementary service.

1992 The consolidation of TV2, TV3 and TV4 into one multi-cultural channel CCV (Contemporary Community Values) TV.

1994 TSS is replaced by NN (National Network) TV. The SABC appoints its first black Group Chief Executive, Zwelakhe Sisulu.

1995 The launch of an analogue sport TV channel broadcasting for six hours. The then Radio South Africa is re-launched as SAfm.

1996 The SABC re-launches TV1, CCV-TV and NNTV as SABC1, 2 and 3 respectively. The corporation put up for sale Radio Algoa, Radio Oranje, Highveld Stereo, Jacaranda Stereo, East Coast Radio and Kfm. All the African Language Stations underwent name changes including Afrikaans Stereo to Radio Sonder Grense.

1997 The SABC announces to commercialise the Henley TV Facilities and Air Time Outside Broadcast.

1998 The former TBVC Broadcasters are integrated into the SABC.

1999 The Broadcasting Act comes into effect and changed the broadcasting landscape tremendously. It brought with it three categories of broadcasting i.e. Public, Commercial and Community services.

2002 The SABC becomes SABC Ltd as prescribed in the Companies Act. The State holds 100% of the shares.

2004 The SABC launches the revised Editorial Policy, concluding a unique process of consultations with the public and stakeholders throughout South Africa.

2007 The SABC is the first South African Broadcaster to launch a 24-hour news channel on television. The channel broadcasts on Vivid platform across the continent and on regular SABC channels after midnight. The SABC Foundation is officially launched.

2010 The Public Service Broadcaster successfully hosts the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the only world cup to be staged in the African Soil.

2015 The launch of SABC News which is currently being carried on subscription digital satellite network channel DStv 404. The SABC launch Encore on DStv channel 156.

2017 In line with ICASA regulations all PBS radio stations increase their local music quotas from 40% to 60% and PCS from 25% to 35%, which was hailed as great affirmation of South African music.

2018 SABC News announces its new editorial and brand positioning introducing Independent and Impartial news.

2019 The SABC launches a News App.

2020 The SABC launces a new channel, SABC Education. The SABC launches the revised SABC Editorial Policy

2021 The SABC transitions into the new target operating model The SABC launches a dedicated Sport Channels.