With the gazetted date of 31 March 2022 for analogue switch-off and end of dual illumination in South Africa, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies commends the people of South Africa for their patience and embracing migration from analogue to digital.

The Department reiterates that of the 14 million TV-watching households in the country, 11,5 million have self-migrated as they watch TV through satellite and will therefore not be affected by the analogue switch off.

Working with entities in its portfolio, the Department has to date registered in excess of 1,4 million indigent applicants for government’s free decoder and installation. The installation process continues countrywide, and more than 1,2 million households would have their free decoders by the analogue switch-off date. Minister of Khumbudzo Ntshavheni receives daily updates on the progress with STB installations.

Important information for South African households:

  1. The set-top box (decoder) is not the only way to continued TV watching after the analogue switch off. Major electronics companies like Hisense, LG, Samsung, Sinotec and AIM have introduced into the market approximately 2,5 million integrated digital television sets (IDTVs) with a built-in digital tuner since 2012. A list with some of these television sets that are compatible can be accessed at: https://www.dcdt.gov.za/dtt-all-you-need-to-know/file/194-idtv-models.html.

  2. Households with IDTVs who reside within a 30-50 km radius of a city are able to access digital television by tuning their IDTV sets without any need for a decoder. This is because South Africa has a broad digital television coverage of up to 84% of the population.

  3. The Department continues to call on households that earn less than R3500 per month to make applications at their nearest Post Offices or online through the link: www.stbregisstbregistrationtration.gov.za for government assistance. The qualifying households will be assisted to migrate within 3 – 6 months after the analogue switch-off as per commitment made to Cabinet and communicated to the public.

  4. A TV licence is not a mandatory requirement when applying for a set-top box assistance.

The benefits of the digital migration and ending dual illumination far outweighs any short-term inconvenience that may happen after the analogue switch-off. Government remains committed to providing quality broadcasting viewing with more variety options and entertainment pleasures for the free-to-air audiences across the country.

Issued by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies

Contact : Mr Frans Mthombeni
Director : Communications and Marketing
Mobile : 082 740 4510
Email : fmthombeni@dtps.gov.za
Website : www.dcdt.gov.za
Facebook : Department of Communications & Digital Technologies.
Twitter : @CommsZA

 

Download document here: Media statement on the end of dual illumination through analogue switch-off across South Africa