Producers bear the brunt as SABC awaits a bail-out
The broadcaster struggles to meet month-to-month payments, but its royalty system means musicians have not yet been affected, writes Bekezela Phakathi
THE SABC can breathe a small sigh of relief, with various societies representing musicians expressing their satisfaction with the public broadcaster’s handling of royalty payments, largely because such payments are made only once a year. However, the situation seems dire for television producers, who expect to receive monthly payments. The Independent Producers Organisation, which represents more than 100 independent television producers in the country, has expressed concern about the broke public broadcaster’s failure to settle invoices in full. The SABC is facing its worst financial crisis to date and is drawing on the last of its reserves to stay afloat. It hopes to receive a government guarantee of about R1bn soon, which will alleviate the situation. The Department of Communications, in concert with the Treasury, is still finalising the rescue package. The public broadcaster expects to make a loss of about R1.1bn for the 2016-17 financial year and its advertising revenue, which ...
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