Parliament, Tuesday, 6 October 2026 – The Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies has expressed serious concern over the prolonged delays in completing South Africa’s Broadcasting Digital Migration (BDM) programme, warning that continued delays are placing an unnecessary financial burden on the state through the costs associated with dual illumination.
The committee received presentations on the progress of the BDM programme from the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, the Media Development and Diversity Agency, the South African Broadcasting Corporation, Sentech, the State Information Technology Agency, the Universal Service and Access Agency of South Africa, the South African Post Office, eMedia Holdings, the Association of Community Televisions of South Africa, the SOS Support Public Broadcasting Coalition and Media Monitoring Africa.
The committee noted with concern that the analogue television switch-off remains subject to legal proceedings, following the suspension of the switch-off process.
The Chairperson of the committee, Ms Khusela Sangoni-Diko, said it was unfortunate that disagreements around the implementation of BDM had reached the courts for the second time, particularly given the public interest in bringing the migration process to finality.
“It is unfortunate that this matter is before the courts again when efforts should have been made to resolve the disagreements through engagement and negotiation. We are going to convene a similar meeting in the next three months to receive presentations on the terms of reference to complete the programme,” said Ms Diko.
She further said that the prolonged delays have significant financial implications, particularly because the continued operation of analogue and digital transmission requires dual illumination.
“There needs to be a resolution on the cost of ongoing dual illumination. We also need a sustainable and agreed path towards completing the migration process, while ensuring that the legitimate concerns raised by stakeholders are properly addressed,” said Ms Diko.
The committee also noted free-to-air televisions’ support for the BDM programme, provided that all affected stakeholders are properly consulted on a mutually agreed switch-off deadline and on the sharing of the costs associated with dual illumination.
The BDM programme started in 2008, with 1 November 2011 initially set as the deadline for the switch-off of analogue television services. The process has subsequently experienced several delays and revised deadlines.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, MS KHUSELA SANGONI DIKO.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Justice Molafo
Mobile: 081 424 7481
Email: jmolafo@parliament.gov.za
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