Apply for a commercial broadcasting licence

About
What you should do
How long does it take
How much does it cost
Forms to complete
Who to contact

 

 

About a commercial broadcasting service licence

A commercial broadcasting service licence is issued to a broadcasting service operating for profit or as part of a profit entity. The South African Broadcasting Corporation is the only licensed public broadcaster in South Africa.

  • Any person intending to offer a commercial broadcasting service must hold a commercial sound broadcasting licence.
  • Any person intending to offer a commercial broadcasting service must comply with the schedules as prescribed by the Invitation to Apply (ITA) for a commercial sound broadcasting licence, which is legally published in the Government Gazette. The schedules normally consist of six sections, namely:
    • General terms and conditions: process to be followed
    • Corporate status: legal status of applicant
    • Programming: local content quotas; language; aired programmes
    • Demand and need for the proposed service
    • Finances
    • Technical requirements.

The application form and the proposed geographical areas form part of the specific invitation to apply published in the Government Gazette.

What you should do

  1. Complete the application form in print, using capital letters.
  2. Submit the original and 16 certified copies of the application form and a non-refundable application fee to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa.
  3. Incomplete applications will be returned to the applicant and no responsibility for any inconvenience will be accepted.

How long does it take

Licensing may take six to twelve months.

How much does it cost

Tariffs 2023/24

Forms to complete

The application form will be part of the schedules that will be published in the Government Gazette .

Who to contact

National Office

Tel: 012 427 8000

Fax: 012 427 8016

Street address: Iparioli Office Park, 399 Duncan Street, Hatfield, Pretoria

Postal address: Private Bag X860, Pretoria, 0001

 

ICASA head office

Tel: 012 568 3000/3001
E-mail: info@icasa.org.za 

Physical address: 350 Witch-Hazel Ave, Eco-Park Estate, Centurion, 0144
Postal address: Private Bag X10, Highveld Park 0169

Regional offices

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