SABC Africa was the international television service of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, which ceased broadcasting on 1 August 2008 after poor performance on the DStv satellite television platform.
The channel started on 16 November 1998 as part of an initial two-channel agreement by the SABC with Multichoice for the whole of Africa, being initially positioned as a news channel. SABC Africa was carried on both C-band and Ku-band systems while its sister channel, Best of Africa (later Africa2Africa) was only carried on Ku-band to southern Africa."Finally... news channel for Africa", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 20, February-April 1999 Using the structure of SABC News, SABC Africa asserted the SABC's position and ambition of being a "totally African broadcaster", reducing its reliance on foreign news agencies."News on SABC-Africa", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 20, February-April 1999 Its founding director was Allister Sparks, whose ambitions included plans to compete head-to-head with CNN for African news coverage.Ferial Haffajee (1998, Oct 09). Sparks ready to light up continent's airwaves. Africa News Service
The two channels were officially launched on 25 August 2000."SABC pay TV launched", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 27, November 2000-January 2001 The channel had half-hour news bulletins on the hour while the remaining half-hour was given to other programmes, among them Today in Africa, Ambassadors, Perspective and Talking Sport."The true African story", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 27, November 2000-January 2001
The SABC's radio service Channel Africa continues to operate.
References
External links SABC Africa official website