South Africa Media & Advertising

South Africa’s media sector is perhaps the largest, and without a doubt the most sophisticated and dynamic, on the continent. It has certainly come a long way since 1976, when the country aired its first broadcast. With more than 850 print titles, around 250 radio stations, and 16 television providers offering more than 170 channels, the country...

An increasing appetite for domestic content and a rising appreciation by foreign filmmakers of South Africa as a filming location should sustain growth in the country’s entertainment industry, with the sector’s expansion set to outpace that of the broader economy in the years ahead.

Long under tight state control, South Africa’s broadcasting market has become livelier and more diverse over the past three decades, with private stations emerging to challenge the incumbent South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Pay-per-view television channels have sprung up, though the free-to-air stations run by SABC...

Having weathered the international economic storm well, the South African advertising industry had a tough year in 2012 and may have a slower period ahead. The sector is contending with economic headwinds and subsequent caution among advertisers. Nonetheless, major clients are still willing to spend, and innovative agencies...

Home to one of Africa’s most dynamic media markets, many of South Africa’s leading media houses trace their roots back many decades. However, the end of apartheid created a new era of freedom in which independent voices have blossomed. There is a diverse range of outlets, from popular tabloids and serious business publications...

Pay-TV in South Africa continues to enjoy substantial growth. MultiChoice, a subsidiary of Africa’s largest media company, Naspers, dominates the market. While several other television operators were awarded licences, only On Digital Media’s (ODM) TopTV is currently operational, and with limited audience share. On the other hand, DS tv, MultiChoice’...