No TV broadcasts from 6pm - 9pm from next month

Electricity-saving measures will be expanded from next month to include nationwide prime-time blackouts in television broadcasts, the SABC announced on Tuesday.

It said transmitters would shut down across the country between 6pm and 9pm on weekdays, when Eskom experienced peak demand.

There were 200 000 television sets in South Africa, roughly half of which used only the free-to-air SABC and eTV channels.

"With an average set drawing 14 watts, this translates to energy saving of a massive 2.8 megawatts," the SABC said in a statement.

The blackout would mean rescheduling of programmes.

The 7pm and 7.30pm news broadcasts would be shifted to 9pm, when there would be a single evening news, transmitted on SABC2.





The language of this broadcast would alternate on successive days between English, Zulu, Sesotho and the other 11 official languages.

The rest of the programmes from the blackout slot would be broadcast following the normal evening programming.

This meant the Bold and the Beautiful, for example, would start at midnight on SABC1.

Sewende Laan would start at 1am on SABC2, after the matric revision programme, and Isidingo just after midnight.

The corporation said it expected viewers might have some problems adjusting to the blackouts.

"We suggest that viewers could instead read books, or talk to other family members," it said.

"If they do not like their relatives, and have forgotten how to read, they can just look at the wall."

The blackout would be reviewed at the end of winter. - Sapa

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ToxicBunny said:

If only this wasn't an April Fools joke...

Then again TIA so anything is possible.

Love the fact that my TV comes from a satellite and Eksdom can't loadshed it

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lcbxx said:

I work for Eskom and I get electricity for free. I also do not get loadshed. What is the kuk now with SABC? I don't have a PVR so how can I manage to stay up until 1am.

I have applied for a job at DStv so that I can get free PVR.

But then I will get loadshed...?

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Telkomisaloser said:

Internet FTW!!!!!

Never watch TV broadcasts anyway

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timgaul said:

Doesn't help if you gotted loadshedded anyways.

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timgaul said:

Its a cruel world! We'll all just have to start working night shifts.

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lcbxx said:

I used to work nightshift at Telkom helpdesk, then the thieves stole the cable, so I lose job.
Then I go work nightshift at the tavern until the loadshed start, so I lose job.
Now I work nightshift at Eskom but now I have to stay home to watch Generations at 2am, so I will lose job.

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Moederloos said:

Has this actually been confirmed to be an April Fool's joke?

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"If they do not like their relatives, and have forgotten how to read, they can just look at the wall."

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