Media & Advertising
From The Report: South Africa 2016
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South Africa’s media sector is perhaps the largest and most sophisticated on the continent, with more than 850 print titles, around 250 radio stations and 16 television providers offering more than 170 channels. The reach of broadcast in particular is impressive, with a steady rise in channels and advertising revenues in recent years. Ownership is well diversified, with hundreds of independent and community options both in terms of radio and print providing targeted local and language-specific coverage. As in media markets worldwide, traditional mediums are being shaken up by the rise of digital access and “platform agnostic” content consumption, with print readership one of the most visibly impacted mediums. However, the sector also faces broader headwinds, from pressure to allow closer government regulation to job cuts and delayed digital terrestrial migration.

This chapter contains an interview with Koos Bekker, Chairman, Naspers.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

A wider reach: The sector is recording significant growth in revenues
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South Africa’s media sector is perhaps the largest, and without a doubt the most sophisticated and dynamic, on the continent. It has certainly come a long way since 1976, when the country aired its first broadcast. With more than 850 print titles, around 250 radio stations, and 16 television providers offering more than 170 channels, the country does not lack for choice. The reach of broadcast in particular is impressive, with a steady rise in channels and advertising revenues. Ownership is diversified…

Interview

Watching brief: OBG talks to Koos Bekker, Chairman, Naspers
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Interview:Koos Bekker How do you expect the transition from analogue to digital terrestrial TV (DTT) will affect the sector landscape? KOOS BEKKER: The migration to DTT is a welcome development for South Africa that has been a long time coming. It will clear the radio frequency spectrum occupied by broadcasters to enable the provision of wireless mobile broadband services and other innovative applications. Once the digital migration has been concluded the digital dividend will be released…

Analysis

On location: Incentives and low production costs are drawing international filmmakers to South Africa
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An increasing appetite for domestic content and a rising appreciation by foreign filmmakers of South Africa as a filming location should sustain growth in the country’s entertainment industry, with the sector’s expansion set to outpace that of the broader economy in the years ahead. South Africa’s film entertainment market is projected to grow by 6.4% in 2015, generating earnings of R2.76bn ($240m), according to a PwC study. Revenues are expected to reach R3.42bn ($295.5m) within three years,…