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The TV licence is dead! Long live the streaming levy - or not?


Published on 2025-03-17 20:44:23 - Bizcommunity
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  • A strong, independent public broadcaster is essential for media diversity and democracy, making its sustainability a national priority. But the TV licence system is on life support.Source:
  • 123rf 123rf Leslie Adams,

The article from MSN discusses the potential replacement of the traditional TV licence fee in South Africa with a new "streaming levy" as proposed by the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). The current TV licence system, which has been in place for decades, is facing challenges due to declining revenue and widespread non-compliance, with only about 20% of households paying the fee. The SABC's suggestion comes in light of the shift towards digital streaming platforms like Netflix and YouTube, which are not currently subject to the same taxation. The proposed levy would tax these streaming services, aiming to generate revenue in a manner more aligned with modern viewing habits. However, the article also highlights skepticism about the effectiveness of this new levy, pointing out issues like potential legal challenges, the difficulty in enforcing such a tax, and the fairness of taxing streaming services when traditional broadcasters also benefit from advertising revenue. The debate continues on how best to fund public broadcasting in an era where traditional TV viewership is waning.

Read the Full Bizcommunity Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-za/politics/government/the-tv-licence-is-dead-long-live-the-streaming-levy-or-not/ar-AA1B7rbw ]