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TV Media Research Analyst Johannesburg

SABC Expands Access to its Radio Services

3 Jan 2002

The SABC has switched on its two newest transmitters, thereby opening access for the first time to its public service radio stations to 1,129 million listeners.

This switch-on is further demonstration of its commitment to meeting its public service responsibility, and the needs of its listeners, especially those listeners who are without access to radio or television signals.

The Qudeni transmitter for Ukhozi FM on frequency 107.4MHz was switched on at 12h00. It is expected that the radio station’s listenership of about 6,497 million before expansion would grow by 695 000.

The Kwaggafontein transmitter servicing Thobela FM on frequency 94.OMHz and Ikwekwezi FM on 97.3MHz was also switched on. The prediction for these stations is that Thobela FM will increase its listenership to 4,248 million, gaining just over 278 000 listeners, and Ikwekwezi FM will more than double its number of listeners to 350 000.

The current status of the SABC’s public radio station expansion is set out in the table below. As can be seen, most of the SABC public service radio stations exceed or are relatively close to the ICASA required 80% coverage target.

SERVICE	BEFORE EXPANSION	CURRENT	AFTER EXPANSION	GAIN
Ikwekwezi FM	30%	47%	67%	37%
Lesedi FM	73%	78%	85%	13%
Ligwalagwala FM	34%	42%	71%	37%
Motsweding FM	86%	86%	86%	N/A
Munghana Lonene FM	84%	84%	84%	N/A
Phalaphala FM	79%	79%	79%	N/A
RSG	87%	87%	87%	N/A
Safm	95%	95%	95%	N/A
Thobela FM	73%	73%	78%	5%
Ukhozi FM	69%	78%	81%	12%
Umhlobo Wenene FM	79%	79%	79%	N/A