Struggling to Cancel Your SABC TV Licence? Here’s What South Africans Need to Know

As debates around the relevance of the SABC TV licence continue to intensify, many South Africans are finding that cancelling the R265-a-year subscription is far more complicated than expected.

The TV licence system was originally introduced to fund the public broadcaster and ensure universal access to local content at a time when traditional television was the dominant medium. It also provided the SABC with a stable revenue stream long before streaming services and online platforms reshaped how audiences consume media.

Today, however, the media landscape has shifted dramatically. With more households turning to streaming platforms and mobile content, questions have been raised about whether the TV licence model still reflects how South Africans watch and engage with media.

Low compliance, growing financial pressure

Despite the legal requirement to hold a valid TV licence if one owns a television set, compliance remains low. The SABC has confirmed that fewer than 20% of households that are required to pay for a TV licence are currently doing so.

Speaking to Parliament last year, SABC Group CEO Nomsa Chabeli highlighted the financial strain this places on the public broadcaster.

“Fifty-five percent of our mandate costs are funded, and they are funded by declining licence fees. In South Africa, less than 20% of households that should be paying for a TV licence actually pay for a TV licence,” Chabeli said.

She further noted that, unlike broadcasters such as the BBC where compliance exceeds 80%, the SABC relies heavily on commercial revenue.

“Eighty-three percent of our revenue comes from commercial activities, and only 13% comes from TV licences. That contribution continues to decline year on year,” she said.

This funding gap has prompted the SABC and policymakers to consider alternatives, including a device-neutral media levy or a household-based tax that would apply regardless of whether a person owns a television set.

Why cancelling a TV licence is difficult

While discussions around reform continue, many South Africans are left frustrated by the process of cancelling their TV licences. This is particularly common among those who have sold their television sets, moved abroad, or no longer watch traditional broadcast TV.

According to the SABC, cancelling a TV licence is not automatic and requires formal notification. The broadcaster states that licence holders must submit an affidavit, signed and certified by a Commissioner of Oaths, confirming that they no longer own a television set.

“When one has sold or otherwise disposed of one’s television set(s), a TV licence is no longer required. The SABC must be notified on a prescribed form (affidavit) of the changed circumstances,” the broadcaster explains on its website.

Importantly, the SABC also makes it clear that a licence cannot be cancelled if there is any outstanding balance on the account. Any arrears must be settled before the cancellation can be processed.

Ongoing debate, ongoing confusion

As the future of the TV licence remains uncertain, confusion and dissatisfaction among the public continue to grow. Critics argue that the system no longer aligns with modern viewing habits, while the SABC maintains that some form of public funding is still necessary to deliver its national broadcasting mandate.

Until a new funding model is introduced, South Africans who no longer own a television are advised to follow the official cancellation process carefully to avoid ongoing charges and potential penalties.

For now, cancelling a TV licence remains possible—but for many, it is a process that requires patience, paperwork, and persistence.