Browsing: Essel Media

Finance minister Pravin Gordhan has previously slapped down plans by the SABC for a 24-hour news channel, saying “this is not the time for vanity projects”, but that has not stopped the public broadcaster steaming ahead to the launch of its satellite project on 1 August

Two broadcasters, both perceived to be sympathetic to president Jacob Zuma and his government, are set to launch 24-hour news satellite channels on the same continent-wide MultiChoice DStv platform. Broadcasting sources confirmed to the Mail & Guardian this week that the SABC is back in discussions

The SABC has been left red-faced over the loss of its planned 24-hour news channel on DStv after the well-connected Gupta family seized the gap. Few at the SABC appear to have been aware that the Gupta channel was even in the offing, although the broadcaster must have been in regular contact