REVELATION of a SOCIETY's SOUL Than
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Performance | South African Broadcasting Corporation [SOC] Ltd “There can be no keener REVELATION of a SOCIETY’S SOUL than the WAY in which it TREATS ITS CHILDREN.” - Nelson Mandela 30 SABC SABC 31 Performance Performance South African Broadcasting Corporation [SOC] Ltd | SABC Annual Report 2013|14 Remembering Madiba Honouring the Legend 32 , Tribute to Madiba For the period under review, the tragic passing of the From the 5th to the 16th of December 2013, the SABC doyen of our democracy, the former President Mr teams worked tirelessly on the formidable task of Nelson Mandela, put the SABC’s broadcast capability producing the live programmes for the TV platforms on to the test. SABC Marketing along with SABC TV and SABC1 and SABC3, as well as specialist content from SABC Radio ensured that the on-air elements were the various genres. The SABC delivered programmes correctly used and executed. The SABC installed that celebrated Madiba in programmes like Shift, branding to commemorate the passing of Tata Madiba Generations, Muvhango, 3-Talk, Yo-TV, Hectic 99, in all its buildings including the Provincial Offices. Expresso and Mzansi Insider. As the Public Service Broadcaster, the SABC played At the apex of SABC Radio highlights was the a critical role in reflecting and honouring the former extensive coverage of the passing of our beloved Tata President Mr Mandela’s legacy as an icon of the epic Madiba, where the SABC’s 18 radio stations played a South African struggle for liberation, following his pivotal role in breaking the sad and shocking news, passing in December 2013. whilst keeping listeners informed about developments The TV Division broadcast 19.5 hours of live tribute as they unfolded. SABC Radio created the glue that programming between 8th and 15th December 2013 united a nation in mourning. Radio presenters expertly on SABC1 and SABC3. The SABC2 channel was set supported grieving listeners and the public. aside for use by News, for the latest breaking news The music playlist reflected music befitting of the around the announcement of Madiba’s passing, his sombre mood. Tributes poured in and were shared memorial service, the lying in state and the funeral in with the nation and the world via live streaming. In the Qunu. days leading up to the funeral, all PCS and PBS Radio , stations continued to share every new development with audiences. Transversal partnerships with TV saw a smooth and constant flow of information from News aided Radio stations that also created loyalty beyond the main media. Digital and social media platforms became hugely successful extensions of these stations. The financial achievement was against the backdrop of the SABC having embraced its public service role in covering the passing and funeral of 33 former President Mr Mandela. As a sign of respect, commercial activity was suspended across all SABC services for an initial period of two days, after which the gradual resumption of advertising was limited to ensure it was in keeping with the sombreness of the nation still in mourning. The special programming received excellent ratings, and the SABC received accolades nationally and internationally for its great work. Performance South African Broadcasting Corporation [SOC] Ltd | SABC Annual Report 2013|14 Situational Analysis Service Delivery process, a number of business units within the SABC and Organisational implemented structural changes in order to improve and streamline business operations. Environment A talent management strategy which will be developed in the The environment within which the SABC next financial year will be focused on developing employees on operates is not only determined by the the job, ensuring that the right people, with the right skills and Broadcasting Regulatory Framework, but is capabilities, are in the right roles and are focused on the right also defined by the broader economic context activities. and the constantly changing broadcast media and Information and Communications Future Sustainability of the Technology (ICT) environment. This dynamic environment is characterised by migration Corpor ation from analogue to digital transmission, the use The last phase of creating a sustainable public broadcaster of the internet as a global media platform as for the future is highly dependent on the outcome of the ICT 34 well as the emergence of new technologies and Policy Review process, which was established by the Minister media players, which has resulted in audience of Communications to appraise all ICT industries, broadcasting, and revenue fragmentation. telecommunications, etc., owing to matters such as the convergence of technologies and the challenges faced by the The SABC has previously set itself three major broadcasting industry. The policy review process will inform strategic milestones, to be achieved in three Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s phases, to turn it around. These are to: (1) stabilise (ICASA) review of regulations. These processes will assist in the Corporation as a going concern in compliance dealing with critical policy and regulatory matters affecting with the Government Guarantee; (2) rebuild the the SABC, e.g. the SABC’s funding model, its public service Corporation by realigning its operating model mandate, governance and other related statutory issues. with the imperatives of the digital broadcasting Furthermore, it will assist in reviewing regulations that have been environment; and (3) create a sustainable public impacting negatively on the SABC, such as the “Must Carry” broadcaster for the future. Regulations, Sports Regulations and challenges of competition What follows next is brief feedback on implementation from new-platform services. of these milestones. Media Environment and Audience Stability of the Corporation Share This is evidenced by stability in leadership, which During the 2013/14 financial year, SABC TV continued to commenced with the appointment of the Interim and provide the most watched channels in the country, effortlessly then permanent Board of Directors in September meeting the public service mandate and delivery of public value. 2013. Key executive appointments were also made, The network continued to dominate the broadcast landscape inter alia in Human Capital Services, Risk, Technology, by retaining 53.6% of all the adult audience share in the country and Procurement Services. during prime time and 48.6% of the adult audience share The Corporation’s three executive directors positions during the reporting period. Audience loyalty remains strong, were, however, vacant at the end of the financial year. particularly in respect of local dramas on SABC1, with 19 out The recruitment process to fill the positions of Group of the 20 most watched programmes across all channels Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief nationally, being from SABC TV. Operating Officer will commence early in the new financial SABC Radio continued to show steady growth despite the year. This will contribute further to the stability of the rapidly changing environment with new entrants in the media Corporation. landscape, including the digital media. The relentless investment Of significance is the financial stability achieved through in audience research aimed at thoroughly understanding the early repayment of the Nedbank loan. As a result of audience behaviour and drivers for consumption, coupled with improved cost management following the implementation recruitment of top talent and on-air product improvements, of the turnaround strategy and better working capital remained SABC Radio’s recipe for success. As such, SABC management, the Corporation was able to pay back the Radio remains the voice of our rainbow nation and continues to loan in full at the end of September 2013 saving the SABC educate, inform and entertain the majority of South Africans in R34m in interest. During the 2013/14 financial year, despite their mother tongue. facing considerable challenges, the Corporation achieved its SABC Radio increased its share of the national audience by milestone of stabilising the SABC. 1.4%, from 67.4% last year to 68.8% during the year under In a broadcast environment characterised by increased review. At 59.1%, PBS Radio contributed the largest share competition, the SABC continued to deliver the most-watched towards the overall SABC share performance, while PCS TV channels and listened-to radio services in the country. delivered 9.7%. Most of the SABC Radio stations posted healthy audience Rebuilding the Corporation growth figures during the financial year. Ukhozi FM and METRO The SABC has embarked on the process of developing a FM need special mention. Both stations reached new record new operating model, which responds to future demands high weekly audience levels during this period. METRO FM and challenges of the digital environment. After a consultation exceeded the 6.6 million mark in one of the surveys released while Ukhozi FM shot past the 7.7 million audience mark. Collectively PBS Radio delivers programmes on a weekly basis that address these two brands reach more than 14 million listeners per week. the challenges facing the nation, promotes nation-building SABC Radio’s successes are further reaffirmed by the fact that and social cohesion. These themes are aligned to the above- eight out of the top 10 favourite stations nationally come from mentioned programming drivers and include but are not limited the SABC stable. to the following: The South African market is already showing