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Digital Migration made easy

Case Study: The State of Digital Broadcasting in Brazil

The National Association of Broadcasters has appointed Farncombe Strategy, a UK based consultancy with extensive ties in the Brazilian market, to compile an independent report on the status of digital television in Brazil. The NAB commissioned this report in view of the South African government reviewing its 2005 decision on the DVB-T standard and its consideration of other standards such as the ISDB-Tb standard used in Brazil.

Related Items:
Case Study: The State of Digital Broadcasting in Brazil

The NAB is a non-profit organisation funded entirely by its members.  We regularly engage with policy makers on behalf of our members in order to promote an industry grounded in the principles of democracy, diversity and freedom of expression.

Over eighty organisations belong to the NAB and hundreds of individuals working in broadcasting and associated industries involve themselves in our activities. The NAB therefore has access to a wealth of knowledge on broadcasting in South Africa and as such, is able to advise members on a variety of issues.

The NAB provides high quality information on latest developments in the industry concerning the Regulator, ICASA, Government and Parliament.

We also interact with our other stakeholders including advertisers, agencies, producers and performers in order to optimise South Africa’s cultural and communications industries to the benefit of all.

The Department of Communications repeals the Broadcasting Act 4 of 1999

The Department of Communications has published a Bill intended to repeal the Broadcasting Act. The Bill is open for public comment, and interested parties are to submit their written representation on or before 07 December 2009.
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Commissioning procedures for independently commissioned content

The Authority published in Government Gazette number 32338, on 19 June 2009:

1. Its position paper on the commissioning of Independently Produced Programming, which was preceded by a discussion document in this regard;
2. Its draft regulations for the Commissioning of Independently Produced Programming. The draft regulations and the position paper were open for public comment no later than 04 August 2009.

In the position paper, the Authority provides an analysis of the written and oral representations that were made to the discussion document, and subsequently outlines its findings and recommendations based on the analysis. In its findings the Authority acknowledges that self-regulation is ideal, but it however feels compelled to make regulations pursuant to section 61(1) of the ECA. The NAB was satisfied with the outcome of the discussion document together with the draft regulations, hence the nab did not submit any written representations.

DTT Regulations

On 3 July 2009, the Authority published its final Digital Terrestrial Television Regulations (DTT Regulations). On 24 July 2009, the NAB addressed a letter to the Authority raising concerns on the status of the final regulations. The NAB letter to the Authority was concerned about the provisions of Regulation 8(2) which required all broadcasters to provide audio tracks in no fewer than 3 official languages. The NAB was concerned that apart from the technical complexity and prohibitive costs of carrying out this requirement, the issue had not been discussed during the initial drafting process, and was thrown into the final regulations as an after-thought by the Authority.

Broadcasting digital migration policy

Cabinet approved the long awaited Broadcasting Digital Migration Policy on 06 August 2008. The broadcasting digital migration affects all NAB members who are television broadcasters, viewers, and the country at large; hence the NAB has an interest in the smooth migration. The document elaborately outlines the importance of the migration, and the framework within which digital migration should take place in South Africa. The government is busy finalising minimum specifications for Set-to-Boxes, hence the Policy does not cover same.

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The DoC seeks to amend the ICASA Act
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NAB submission on IPTV and VOD
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NAB submission on the Rules and Procedures for the CCC
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NAB Submission on Ownership and Control
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