The Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies recently announced its intention to promote collaboration between the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and the video streaming giant Netflix. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following a visit to Netflix\u2019s One Piece set at Cape Town Film Studios, the committee reported that some disagreements between the two parties were hindering collaboration that could benefit the local industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These disputes primarily revolved around issues of intellectual property ownership and business models. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee expressed a desire for increased cooperation between Netflix and South Africa\u2019s local industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The oversight visit report included several recommendations for both Netflix and the government, urging the latter to facilitate improved collaboration between the streaming service and the SABC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee recommended that Netflix strengthen its partnerships with the South African government and the local film industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee is seeking a comparative analysis of South Africa\u2019s competitiveness in the broadcasting industry from the global streaming giant.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The call for enhanced collaboration between Netflix and the SABC comes as the government considers implementing a levy on streaming services, including Netflix, to help fund the public broadcaster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2025, Communications Minister Solly Malatsi indicated that he would consider such a levy on local and international streaming services as an alternative funding model for the SABC.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stated that TV license holders would be exempt from this levy; however, his spokesperson clarified that this was not an official proposal from the minister and that various alternatives are being explored.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe department is exploring several funding models, none of which have been adopted as a proposal at this stage,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malatsi’s proposal to introduce a levy on commercial video entertainment companies is not a new idea. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The public broadcaster had previously suggested a similar levy during public comment sessions, proposing that the dominant pay-TV platform, MultiChoice’s DStv, be responsible for collecting TV licence fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMultiChoice SA LicenceCo will be shutting down several channels, including M-Net Movies 1, kykNET Lekker, Mzansi Bioskop, and Mzansi Music.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is part of a review of the DStv channel portfolio. These channels will cease broadcasting at 23:59 SAST on 16 September 2026. <\/p>\n\n\n\n