[14 August 2020]
A reminder has been issued to interested communities regarding the open Invitation to Apply (ITA) for pre-registration in connection with applications for Digital Community Television Broadcasting Service Licences and Radio Frequency Spectrum on Multiplex 1 (Mux 1).
The process is divided into two phases:
- Phase 1: Evaluation of applications for the pre-registration of Community Television Broadcasting Service licences and DTT Multiplex 1 frequencies.
- Phase 2: Consideration for the final registration of the Community Television Broadcasting Service licences.
Submissions are due by 11:00 AM on 4 November 2020. Detailed instructions and guidelines are available in Schedule A below:
- Invitation for Pre-registration: Digital Community Television Broadcasting Service and Radio Frequency Spectrum Licences on Multiplex 1 (MUX 1) Frequencies
- Schedule A: Application Guidelines
- Schedule B: Evaluation Criteria
- Schedule C: Confidentiality Requests
- Schedule D: Application Amendments
- Schedule E: Requests for Additional Information
- Schedule F: Disqualification Criteria
- Schedule G: Proposed Licence Terms and Conditions for RFS Licences
- Schedule H: Form B (Registration for Class Licence to Provide a Community Broadcasting Service)
- Schedule I: Application Procedure for RFS Licences on Mux 1 Frequencies
- Schedule J: DTS Frequency Network 2013
[13 November 2019]
An invitation has been released for the pre-registration of Community Sound Broadcasting Service licences and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences.
This process will be conducted in two phases:
- Phase 1: Applications for the pre-registration of a Community Sound Broadcasting Service licence will be assessed following the guidelines of the Community Service Broadcasting Regulations. The review process will be completed within 90 working days from the submission deadline. Public hearings may be held during this phase.
- Phase 2: Final registration for a Community Sound Broadcasting Service licence, to be submitted within 30 days after pre-registration approval. This phase will be concluded within 30 working days of application receipt.
Submissions are due by 11:00 AM on 31 March 2020, with full details provided in Schedule A below.
- Invitation for Pre-registration: Community Sound Broadcasting Service and Radio Frequency Spectrum Licences
- Schedule A: Application Guidelines
- Schedule B: Evaluation Criteria
- Schedule C: Application Amendments
- Annexure A: Form B – Registration for a Class Licensee to Provide a Community Broadcasting Service
- Annexure B: Form P – Broadcasting Spectrum Licence Application
- Annexure C: Spare Community Broadcasting FM Frequencies
- Annexure D: Confidentiality Requests
[4 November 2019]
The approval has been given to release an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Class Community Sound Broadcasting Service Licences and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences for community sound broadcasting services.
The next step is to invite applicants to submit a pre-registration notice and provide a list of available frequencies per district and municipality, as outlined in the Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan 2013. This must be done within 7 working days following the media release (1 November 2019).
Media Release
[30 July 2019]
The moratorium on Class Community Sound Broadcasting Service Licences and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences for community broadcasting services has been lifted.
An invitation will be published within three months for prospective applicants to submit pre-registration notices and list available frequencies per district and municipality, as per the Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan 2013.
Applicants are encouraged to review the new Community Broadcasting Services Regulations, Process and Procedure Regulations, and Standard Terms and Conditions for Class Licences to guide their applications.
Media Release
[1 April 2019]
The final Community Broadcasting Regulations have been published after comprehensive nationwide consultation with stakeholders. The regulations and a related media statement can be accessed via the following links:
[3 July 2018]
Public hearings will be held to allow interested parties to present oral submissions on the Draft Regulations for Community Broadcasting Services. These hearings are scheduled for 23 July 2018 at the ICASA head office. Details are available at the following link:
[16 May 2018]
Public workshops will be conducted across all nine provinces between 15 May 2018 and 6 June 2018 to review the community broadcasting framework. Civic organizations and the public are invited to participate and submit written comments on the draft regulations.
The deadline for submissions has been extended to align with the workshop schedule. Written representations are to be submitted by 4:00 PM on 15 June 2018 to Mamedupe Kgatshe via email at mkgatshe@icasa.org.za, with a copy to shill@icasa.org.za. For inquiries, call 011 566 3259 between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
[19 April 2018]
An update on the moratorium on the issuance of class community sound broadcasting service licences was presented to Parliament on 18 April 2019. Key points include:
- The moratorium, initiated on 22 September 2015, was necessary due to:
- Limited availability of analogue radio frequencies;
- The need to revise the Licensing Processes and Procedures Regulations to incorporate a biannual review for community broadcasting licences;
- The need for a sustainable regulatory framework for the community broadcasting sector.
Progress towards lifting the moratorium includes:
- Completion of the Licensing Processes and Procedures Regulations review in March 2016, which now mandates biannual licence registration reviews.
- Initiation of a review of the regulatory framework for community broadcasting services in the 2016/17 fiscal year. Draft Regulations for Community Broadcasting Services were published in March 2018 and are currently open for public comment. Final regulations are expected within the 2018/19 fiscal year.
- The moratorium will be reassessed after the completion of these processes.
As part of this, a Findings Document and Draft Regulations have been published for public feedback.
Interested parties are invited to submit written representations by 4:00 PM on 18 May 2018 to Mamedupe Kgatshe via email at mkgatshe@icasa.org.za, with a copy to shill@icasa.org.za. For inquiries, call 011 566 3259 between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
[7 October 2015]
Numerous queries have been received regarding community broadcasting licences. However, the moratorium announced on 22 September 2015 remains in effect.
[13 July 2015]
The Minister of Communications has released a Draft Community Broadcasting Support Scheme for public comment.
Comments should be emailed to Collin Dimakatso Mashile at cbssa@doc.gov.za by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, 1 September 2015.
Community Broadcasting
[14 August 2020]
A reminder has been issued to interested communities regarding the open Invitation to Apply (ITA) for pre-registration in connection with applications for Digital Community Television Broadcasting Service Licences and Radio Frequency Spectrum on Multiplex 1 (Mux 1).
The process is divided into two phases:
Submissions are due by 11:00 AM on 4 November 2020. Detailed instructions and guidelines are available in Schedule A below:
[13 November 2019]
An invitation has been released for the pre-registration of Community Sound Broadcasting Service licences and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences.
This process will be conducted in two phases:
Submissions are due by 11:00 AM on 31 March 2020, with full details provided in Schedule A below.
[4 November 2019]
The approval has been given to release an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for Class Community Sound Broadcasting Service Licences and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences for community sound broadcasting services.
The next step is to invite applicants to submit a pre-registration notice and provide a list of available frequencies per district and municipality, as outlined in the Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan 2013. This must be done within 7 working days following the media release (1 November 2019).
Media Release
[30 July 2019]
The moratorium on Class Community Sound Broadcasting Service Licences and Radio Frequency Spectrum licences for community broadcasting services has been lifted.
An invitation will be published within three months for prospective applicants to submit pre-registration notices and list available frequencies per district and municipality, as per the Terrestrial Broadcasting Frequency Plan 2013.
Applicants are encouraged to review the new Community Broadcasting Services Regulations, Process and Procedure Regulations, and Standard Terms and Conditions for Class Licences to guide their applications.
Media Release
[1 April 2019]
The final Community Broadcasting Regulations have been published after comprehensive nationwide consultation with stakeholders. The regulations and a related media statement can be accessed via the following links:
[3 July 2018]
Public hearings will be held to allow interested parties to present oral submissions on the Draft Regulations for Community Broadcasting Services. These hearings are scheduled for 23 July 2018 at the ICASA head office. Details are available at the following link:
[16 May 2018]
Public workshops will be conducted across all nine provinces between 15 May 2018 and 6 June 2018 to review the community broadcasting framework. Civic organizations and the public are invited to participate and submit written comments on the draft regulations.
The deadline for submissions has been extended to align with the workshop schedule. Written representations are to be submitted by 4:00 PM on 15 June 2018 to Mamedupe Kgatshe via email at mkgatshe@icasa.org.za, with a copy to shill@icasa.org.za. For inquiries, call 011 566 3259 between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
[19 April 2018]
An update on the moratorium on the issuance of class community sound broadcasting service licences was presented to Parliament on 18 April 2019. Key points include:
Progress towards lifting the moratorium includes:
As part of this, a Findings Document and Draft Regulations have been published for public feedback.
Interested parties are invited to submit written representations by 4:00 PM on 18 May 2018 to Mamedupe Kgatshe via email at mkgatshe@icasa.org.za, with a copy to shill@icasa.org.za. For inquiries, call 011 566 3259 between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, Monday to Friday.
[7 October 2015]
Numerous queries have been received regarding community broadcasting licences. However, the moratorium announced on 22 September 2015 remains in effect.
[13 July 2015]
The Minister of Communications has released a Draft Community Broadcasting Support Scheme for public comment.
Comments should be emailed to Collin Dimakatso Mashile at cbssa@doc.gov.za by 4:00 PM on Tuesday, 1 September 2015.
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