Is it possible to start new radio and television stations in South Africa?

Question

I plan to live in South Africa later on in my life. I am a white Dutch person so I speak English and I learned to speak Afrikaans too. I am very interested in the radio and television world, and my dream is to have radio and television stations myself. In the Netherlands, there is not much room for new stations... but I think there is in South Africa for non English stations. 'n nieu Afrikaanstalige staasie sal niemand beswaar teen het nie dink ek :).

So, how 'easy' is it to get a license to broadcast in South Africa? Does South Africa recieve new radio and tv stations regulary or is the government a pain in the *** for people who want to start own mediacompanies? Is this a possible, or impossible dream I have?

Answer 1

Lord knows we need a new radio station in this country.

It is a real pain to obtain a license.

Good Luck.

Answer 2

Getting a broadcasting license for Radio should not be too difficult if you can prove sufficient interest for your station.  A TV broadcast license will be far more difficult. If you plan free-to-air I think licensing will be near to impossible as the SABC prefers as little competition as possible. If you want to broadcast your TV station as part of a Satellite package like DSTV this would be easier, however you would have to convince DSTV to include your station.

Answer 3

Havent you seen the tourism adds , SA Alive with Possibilities...

You just have to bribe the right guys and anything is possible...

Try contacting Jacob Zuma , im sure he will be able to help.

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Mate , Zuma will do anything for a quick buck, he will endorse Afrikaans cos he schemes it may buy him some extra votes , its a win , win for him....

PS: Dont take me too seriously , i dig talking kak at times....

Seriously though the best advise i can give is to contact  ICASA :http://www.icasa.org.za/Default.aspx?Pag...

they are resposible for the following:

Functions of ICASA:

The Authority regulates the telecommunications and broadcasting industries in the public interest. Its key functions are to

make regulations and policies that govern broadcasting and telecommunications

issue licenses to providers of telecommunication services and broadcasters

monitor the environment and enforce compliance with rules, regulations and policies

hear and decide on disputes and complaints brought by industry or members of the public against licensees

plan, control and manage the frequency spectrum and  

protect consumers from unfair business practices, poor quality services and harmful or inferior products.

Hope that helps...

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Dennis - It is ICASA themselves that  issue and review licences , etc , maybe just get their phone number off the site and give them a call.