SABC Plus

What SABC Plus does

SABC+ is a South African over-the-top (OTT) streaming platform operated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SOC) Ltd, the country's state-owned national public broadcaster, and launched on December 1, 2023. The platform is built and managed on Mangomolo Offshore SAL's streaming technology infrastructure and delivers live TV channels (SABC 1, 2, 3, SportsCast Africa, BRICS TV Africa, and regional outlets), 19 live radio stations across multiple South African languages, on-demand video, podcasts, news, sports, and educational content. Accessibility is provided via a web portal, native iOS and Android apps, Smart-TVs, and Google Chromecast, with catalog features including catch-up TV, cross-device synchronization, and playlist creation.

The business model is freemium: free access to live TV channels, radio stations, and selected VOD content after self-registration, with four AMP subscription tiers (daily, weekend, weekly, monthly) unlocking premium content. Pricing is not publicly disclosed. Distribution is entirely digital, direct-to-consumer, and geographically restricted to South Africa for full content, while SABC News, Radio, Podcasts, and select VOD are available globally. The target customer base is the general South African consuming public, with secondary segments including youth audiences, radio listeners, and existing SABC license-holders.

Revenue mechanics are subscription-led with cross-promotion leverage from SABC's 15+ broadcast TV channels and 19 radio stations as a free acquisition channel. A strategic partnership with Microsoft integrates AI fluency and digital skills training content under the SABC+ Education vertical, positioning the platform as a public-mandate digital inclusion tool in addition to its entertainment function. The entity is government-controlled with no private equity, venture capital, or independent investor ownership disclosed in the source material.

Name

SABC Plus

Legal name

South African Broadcasting Corporation (SOC) Ltd

Website

https://sabc-plus.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Short description

SABC+ is a South African OTT streaming platform operated by the national public broadcaster SABC, offering free and subscription-based access to live TV channels, 19 radio stations, and on-demand content, primarily serving South African consumers across web, mobile, and Smart-TV devices.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Broadcasting Streaming

NAICS

Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers (51621), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Radio Broadcasting Stations (51611)

SIC

Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Cable & Other Pay Television Services (4841)

akta.pro primary industry

Enterprise/Creator Video Hosting & OTT SaaS Platforms (MPACAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public Broadcasting Content Distribution & Interconnection (Sat/IP feeds) (MPABADAI)

Keywords

• Video streaming service
• Live TV streaming
• Radio streaming
• Video on demand
• Public broadcasting

Headquarters

HQ city

Johannesburg

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Subscription Revenue (AMP Packages): Four subscription tiers: AMP daily, AMP weekend, AMP weekly, and AMP monthly. These provide access to premium subscription content beyond the free offering.
2. Freemium (Free Content): Free access to a large selection of family-oriented local TV channels, international news content, and select VOD. No payment required to watch free content.
3. Digital Content Library: Extensive collection of local and international shows, series, drama, comedy, reality TV, short films, and music available on-demand

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

SABC+ is an over-the-top (OTT) video and audio streaming platform operated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SOC) Ltd and powered by Mangomolo technology infrastructure. It offers free access to live SABC TV channels and radio stations plus subscription-based AMP tiers (daily, weekend, weekly, monthly) granting access to expanded premium content. Distribution is fully digital via web portal, iOS/Android apps, Smart-TVs, and Chromecast, available in South Africa with select content globally.

Product overview

SABC+ is a South African over-the-top (OTT) streaming platform operated by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC), managed through Mangomolo. The platform offers a unified streaming experience combining live TV (SABC 1, 2, 3, and regional channels), live radio (19 stations including Metro FM, 5 FM, RSG, and others), on-demand video (Catch Up and VOD), podcasts, news, sports, and educational content. The service operates on a freemium model with free access to selected TV channels and radio, plus four AMP subscription tiers (daily, weekend, weekly, monthly) for expanded content. Accessibility is provided via web browsers, native Android/iOS mobile apps, and Google Chromecast support for TV casting.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• SABC+ Streaming Platform Over-the-top (OTT) video and audio streaming platform offering free access to SABC TV channels, 15+ radio stations, podcasts, news, sports, and on-demand content. Built for South African consumers and accessible via web browsers, mobile apps, Smart-TVs, and Google Chromecast.
• AMP Subscription Packages Four subscription tiers — AMP daily, AMP weekend, AMP weekly, and AMP monthly — granting access to premium content beyond the free SABC+ tier. Targets South African consumers seeking expanded content with flexible time-bound commitments.

Quantifiable outcome

• Access to 15+ SABC TV channels and 15+ radio stations
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft and SABC+ have partnered to deliver accessible AI fluency and digital skills training at national scale via the SABC+ platform. The partnership aims to boost employability, close the digital divide, and prepare millions of South Africans for the future of work. Microsoft Learn AI Skills content is available through the SABC+ Education section.
• Mangomolo Offshore SALcoreTechnology or IntegrationThe SABC+ App is managed and operated by Mangomolo Offshore SAL on behalf of the SABC. Mangomolo provides the underlying streaming technology infrastructure that powers the SABC+ platform, including video and audio delivery capabilities.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Amazon Prime Video: Global SVOD service available in South Africa; competes with SABC+ for premium content slots and bundling opportunities (e.g., through mobile carrier partnerships).
• Showmax: MultiChoice's South African-focused streaming service and SABC+'s most direct local competitor, with overlapping local-language content, freemium/paid tiers, and a similar mobile-first distribution strategy.
• Netflix: Global SVOD leader available in South Africa; competes with SABC+ for premium streaming time and household subscriptions, especially in international content.
• BBC iPlayer: UK public broadcaster's streaming platform; the closest international analogue to SABC+ in combining free public-service content with subscription tiers and live linear streaming.
• Canal+: French pay-TV and streaming operator with growing African footprint; a comparable premium broadcaster-led streaming service competing for the same pan-African pay-TV wallet.
• BritBox: BBC/ITV-backed subscription streaming service available internationally; a comparable broadcaster-led SVOD competing for Anglophone audiences who also consider SABC+.
• Disney+: Global SVOD service with a strong family content proposition; competes with SABC+'s family-oriented local content for household subscriptions in South Africa.
• Apple TV+: Global SVOD service integrated into Apple devices; relevant peer given SABC+'s emphasis on iOS availability and cross-device experience.

Emerging players

• eVOD: South African streaming service focused on local content and languages; competes with SABC+ for the same price-sensitive, locally-oriented viewer segments.

Broad incumbents

• DStv: MultiChoice's incumbent pay-TV platform in South Africa and parent of Showmax; competes directly with SABC+ for live TV and VOD viewers across the same household base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SABCPlus
• Instagraminstagram.com/sabcplus
• TikToktiktok.com/@sabcplus
• Xx.com/SABCPlus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SABC Plus