SABC relaunches free streaming service with new features and two big catches

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has relaunched the SABC+ streaming service for the second time in less than a year.

The double-revamped SABC+ has been improved with several new features and enhancements, including support for Apple TV, Google TV, and LG Smart TVs.

An Android TV app for Android media boxes will also become available at a later stage.

Other new features include a redesigned user interface, personalised recommendations, catch-up services, video on-demand, and downloading for offline watching on its mobile app.

In addition, the revamped platform offers a TV schedule, vodcasts, podcasts, and electronic programme guide reminders.

With regards to new programming, users of the new SABC+ can watch Channel Africa, which offers content in Chinyanja, Kiswahili, English, French, and Portuguese.

This is in addition to its seven live free-to-air channels.

In terms of radio stations, SABC+ carries its own stations plus Springbok Radio, Radio Bantu, 5FM, and Radio 2000.

The SABC said the features were designed to enhance the user experience with a seamless, intuitive interface and personalised content recommendations.

However, there are two ways in which the new service might be considered a downgrade.

Firstly, users must again register an account with their phone number and other personal details to access its content.

The public broadcaster is urging South Africans to re-register with new credentials to access the revamped platform easily.

It said the registration process was necessary to comply with the Protection of Personal Information Act.

In addition, the platform now features display banners and video ads, which might infuriate on-demand video streaming users who have become accustomed to ad-free experiences.

SABC Group CEO Nomsa Chabeli said the new platform reinforced the broadcaster’s commitment to fostering diversity and inclusivity.

“SABC Plus is our latest innovation, reinforcing the public broadcaster’s commitment to providing the best programming,” added Chabeli.

“This platform houses an impressive array of content, including groundbreaking comedies, spine-chilling horrors, and captivating dramas, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of our nation.”

The new SABC+ can be accessed at the the same website — SABC-plus.com — on a computer or phone browser. It is also available in a mobile app for Android, iOS, and Huawei smartphones.

This is the second revamp the platform has had in roughly eight months.

The SABC previously relaunched the service in December 2023, after taking it over from Telkom in November 2022.

The two biggest changes with the previous relaunch was the removal of the registration requirement — which has now been reversed — and an increase in streaming quality.

Users can manually choose between 240p, 360p, 720p, and 1080p or opt for the “Auto” option to adopt the resolution best suited to their Internet connection speed.

The service recorded a big surge in users from its second revamp, with a 67% increase to over 1 million monthly active users in half a year.

Among its most popular streams were the Afcon 2023 tournament and Rugby World Cup 2023, which attracted over a million concurrent users in the most-watched matches.

The SABC attributed the increase to the removal of the registration requirement.

The new registration process will require all users — including those previously registered for the initial TelkomONE and SABC+ service — to re-enter their details and create a new account.

In addition to a cellphone number, users must submit their name, surname, date of birth, gender, and country. Supplying an email address is optional.

Effectively, SABC+ is starting from scratch with regards to viewership and it will be interesting to see whether the service is able to regain its popularity with what some might regard to be onerous requirements.