SABC cuts expensive program which did not perform well
The SABC has denied that any external influence was involved in its decision to cut political talk show Face The Nation from its schedule at the end of March 2026.
The broadcaster published a statement on Sunday, 22 March 2026, responding to an article in The Sunday Times that alleged the programme was ending under pressure from the ANC and the government.
The publication’s sources claimed that the country’s top political party and the Presidency were unhappy about presenter Clement Manyathela’s grilling of guests during interviews.
It reported that the final straw appeared to have been an interview with Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya in January 2026.
Magwenya was asked why President Ramaphosa would not make the Madlanga commission of inquiry report public and why the former police minister, Senzo Mchunu, was only suspended and not fired.
Magwenya, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, and the SABC have denied the allegations. “I don’t go onto radio or TV shows expecting to be treated with kid gloves,” Magwenya said.
Some SABC staff members reportedly reacted with shock to the cancellation, as the show was “doing well” and drawing “millions” of viewers.
However, the SABC said the programme was cut as part of the news division’s standard review of its programming line-up ahead of a new financial year.
It found that Face the Nation‘s performance did not justify its high-cost structure, including a “premium” presenter fee and standard SABC production allocations.
The SABC also said the programme incurred additional costs due to Manyathela’s requirement to use his own dedicated producer.
In recent times, the show has also incurred production costs without being aired, while extended live broadcasts of nationally significant proceedings have drawn more viewers.
“When assessed against its performance, the programme has not delivered a return on investment commensurate with these costs,” the broadcaster said.
“Editorial and programming decisions are informed by comprehensive audience and performance data across SABC News, with priority given to content that delivers scale, growth and public value.”
Not a flagship or market-leading programme
The broadcaster said that Manyathela and the production team were formally notified that their contracts would conclude in December 2025, before the interview with Magwenya.
The broadcaster also clarified that Face The Nation was not a flagship programme within the SABC News portfolio.
“[It] does not rank among the division’s top-performing current affairs titles, which deliver significantly higher audiences across the full platform,” it said.
“In its time slot, the programme has not achieved the SABC’s target of leading the market and has consistently ranked below competitors.”
The broadcaster said it was implementing a more cost-effective and audience-focused programming model as part of a broader strategic shift.
That includes an extended four-hour prime-time block anchored by senior presenters to drive stronger, more consistent audience performance.
“The decision not to renew Face The Nation forms part of this broader realignment,” the SABC said. “Other programmes, including On Point, have been affected due to these changes.”
The broadcaster also highlighted that other non-performing SABC News shows, such as Watchdog and Unfiltered, were cancelled, and that it was standard industry practice to review and adapt content.
It also emphasised that the move was not due to any individual. “Decisions relate to the show itself, which could be continued, adapted or concluded with different formats or presenters,” the SABC said.
“This is an editorial decision, taken independently and in line with the SABC’s responsibility to ensure sustainability and maximise public value.”
MyBroadband asked Manyathela for feedback on the allegations in the Sunday Times article and the SABC’s statement, but did not immediately receive a reply. His response will be added once received.
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