 | |
| Country | South Africa |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | South Africa |
| Network | SABC |
| Headquarters | SABC Television Park, Uitsaaisentrum,Johannesburg,South Africa |
| Programming | |
| Languages | English,[1]Afrikaans |
| Picture format | 1080iHDTV (downscaled to576i for theSDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | SABC |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | October 1991 (as NNTV) 4 February 1996 (as SABC 3) |
| Replaced | TopSport Surplus (TSS) |
| Former names | National Network Television (NNTV) (1991-1996) |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Sentech | SABC DTT Channel 3 |
| DStv | Channel 193 |
| OpenView | Channel 103 |
| Streaming media | |
| SABC Plus OTT | SABC Plus |
| DStv Now | Channel 193 |
SABC 3, also branded asS3, is a South Africanfree-to-air television channel owned by theSouth African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). Since March 2024, it carries programming inEnglish andAfrikaans only.
The SABC introduced a third network known as TSS, or TopSport Surplus, TopSport being the brand name for the SABC's sport coverage, in October 1991. The channel accommodated sporting events that could not be seen onTV1 as an overflow service.[2] This was replaced by NNTV (National Network TV), an educational, non-commercial channel, in February 1994.[3]
In 1996, the SABC reorganised its three TV channels with the aim of making them more representative of the various language groups. These new channels were calledSABC 1,SABC 2 and SABC 3.
SABC3 inherited many of its programs from TV1,South Africa'sapartheid-era "white" channel. SABC 3 is targeted at South Africa's affluent English-speaking community; the channel's primary target market is viewers aged 18 to 49. It screens a combination of international programming from theUnited States andUnited Kingdom, as well as locally producedsoap operas,talk shows anddrama series. SABC 3's new format stemmed largely from a 1997 decision to commercialise the broadacaster, reducing the amount of documentary content that it previously broadcast since the days of NNTV. The new line-up was driven by ratings.[4]
SABC 3 moved its main news from 8pm to 7pm on 7 April 2003. It was rumoured that the new time was to compete withe.tv's main bulletin, which was on at the same time, but these rumours were denied by Jimi Matthews, who had moved from the rival broadcaster.[5]
The channel's HD broadcasts began on 11 June 2018, in time for the2018 FIFA World Cup, alongsideSABC 1. As of June 2018, the channel started broadcasting in high definition.[6]
In April 2021, the channel rebranded and is stylised as S3.
SABC 3 has deals with studio companies in the US and various television networks in theUK to air some series with a few months' delay from their international airdates.
The channel is known for its longest-running soapieIsidingo, and previously aired local dramas such as High Rollers, and popular international soapsDays of Our Lives andThe Bold and the Beautiful, which SABC 3 stopped airing because of financial constraints. This upset viewers fond of the soapie and started a petition to keep the show running. The channel currently offers international dramas such asKnightfall,NCIS,House of Cards,MotherFatherSon,Line of Duty,El Chapo, andKilling Eve. In April 2021, the channel introduced a new local dramaThe Estate and new telenovelasOrphans Of A Nation,The Bay andThe Red Room.
The channel has local children's content such as Challenge SOS, Talent on Track, Yum.Me and Hectic on 3, along with and international catalogue of kids and teens entertainment fromDisney andNickelodeon. This includes kids shows such asMickey Mouse Clubhouse,Go Jetters andMy Friends Tigger & Pooh, as well as teen shows such asVictorious,iCarly,Wizards of Waverly Place,Shake It Up,Cory in the House,Girl Meets World,Sam & Cat,Winx Club,Violetta,Polly Pocket,Kuu Kuu Harajuku,Sanjay and Craig,Henry Danger,Nowhere Boys,Noah & Saskia,Spellbinder,Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord,Mortified,Legacy of the Silver Shadow,Crash Zone andHectic on 3. Unlike its sister channels, SABC 3 has less programming from the SABC Education banner.
SABC 3 used to license and produce local versions of international series likeThe Apprentice,The Weakest Link, andTop Chef. The South African adaptions ofThe Apprentice andThe Weakest Link have been off air and out of production for longer than 10 years.
In 2017,Hlaudi Motsoeneng who was then COO of the SABC, decreed that SABC TV stations should broadcast 90% local content. The decree turned out to be unsuccessful, as the local productions were the least watched on the channel.[7] After some time, their flagship international series returned, such asSurvivor andThe Amazing Race. The channel currently has reality series such asJudge Faith, Ready for Love and Christina Milian:Turned up. The channel also offers nature documentaries fromNational Geographic andBBC Earth.
In March 2024, SABC 3 announced a partnership withBBC Studios, under which it would broadcast a nightlyblock on weeknights known as BBC PRIMETIME beginning 1 May, which would feature airings of dramas and factual programmes from its library. The agreement also includes streaming content on SABC+.[8]
The channel also focuses on adult contemporary and urban music and has music specials from local and international artists. Shows like The Mic, Base 3 and Tapestry are aired on the channel. SABC 3 broadcasts Koze Kuse fromSABC 1 from August 2019 to April 2021.
SABC 3 has a heavy focus on local and international talk and magazines such as the breakfast showExpresso,Afternoon Express,The Real,The Scoop andHarry.
SABC 3 broadcasts AllCricket South Africa Inbound Tours Of The Proteas Men's Team. It Also Broadcasts TheBundesliga On Weekends,Women's Super League, The Sasol League And The Hollywoodbets Super League. It Also BroadcastsLFC TV On It's Sports Show Sports Arena Including WSB Horseracing,Formula E,FIA WRC,Extreme E And Sports Highlights. The Channel Also Provides Overflow Space ForCAF Competitions AndPremier Soccer League Matches. It recently started broadcasting thePremier League.
SABC 3 serves the bulletin news forEnglish speakers, simulcasting news broadcasts with theirSABC NEWS CHANNEL for On Point, Monday to Friday @ 13:00, NEWS @ 8, Monday to Friday @ 20:00 & NEWS In 15 Minutes, Weekends @ 18:00. It also broadcastsAfrikaans News, Monday to Friday @ 20:30 & Weekends @ 18:15. SABC 3 also broadcastDeutsche Welle &DW News all the way fromGermany inEnglish.
The channel provides action, horror, drama, comedy, sci-fi, adventure, thriller, romance and fantasy movies during primetime. SABC 3 is well known for broadcasting popularBollywood movies in their originalHindi &Tamil soundtrack.
