STAATSKOERANT, 24 JANUARIE 2014
increased over time as SABC public radio stations,
in
No. 37261
particular, have extended their
coverage areas.
Unlike television, listenership figures for radio are not directly comparable as this is inevitably
affected by their licensed coverage areas. SABC radio stations have the most extensive
coverage - with Radio Sonder Grense, SAFM and Radio 2000 covering the largest areas in
terms of their licence conditions. The public commercial stations, Metro FM and Radio 5, are
the only commercial radio services licensed to broadcast in all major urban areas. These
stations therefore obviously have higher listenership than private commercial stations (which
cover cities or specific provincial areas) and community stations (which each are licensed to
cover specific local communities). Over the 1998 to 2012 period Ukhozi FM has consistently
had the most number of adult listeners followed by Metro FM and then Umhlobo Wenene.
While radio listenership has remained largely consistent, individual stations audiences have
fluctuated. Audiences for the community radio sector as a whole has in particular shown
growth - increasing its share of audience from about 16% in 2005 to 25% in June 2013
(AMPS). This reflects the growth in the number of licensed community radio stations with the
introduction in the ECA of the less stringent class registration process (the number of
stations licensed has doubled over the period).
3.2.4 Revenue
The total advertising spend (adspend) across the media (including adspend on print, radio,
television, new media, and outdoor) grew by about 355% from 1999 to 2012. Adspend on
television increased from about R2,8bn in 1999 to R16,2bn in 2012, while spend on radio
over the same period grew from R916m to R5.2bn. Adspend on the internet was R832m in
2012 from 0 in 1999.
Of particular interest is the change in advertising spending patterns over the period (see
figure below) Whereas print media had the biggest share of adspend in 1999 (44% share of
total), television now has the largest share. Radio's share has also grown over the period.
It
is also important to compare the share of total television adspend of the different
broadcasters. While SABC has the largest share of total television adspend, its share has
decreased over the period. E.tv obviously had an insignificant share in 1999 given that it had
just launched. It is nevertheless interesting to note that the share of television spend for FTA
broadcasting (ie for SABC and e.tv collectively) as a whole has decreased over the period
given the increased share allocated to subscription services (driven by growth in advertising
revenue for DSTV primarily).
It is
also important to consider subscription revenue over the period. According to
Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC), the total subscription revenue for pay-tv in 2012 was
R15,2bn - exceeding the total revenue from television adspend.
3.3 Postal services sector
3.3.1 Legislative and policy environment
The 1998 White Paper identified postal services as the most basic and common means by
which messages can be communicated and goods delivered. It stated that postal services
were a basic link serving the entire population. The postal services also serve as an
important medium of communications for business and commerce. Government committed
to facilitating the growth and development of the sector and to ensuring the provision of
universal and affordable postal services to all South Africans, irrespective of race, gender,
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