Radio’s Apocalypse: How Podcasting and Streaming are Wrecking the Industry

The traditional radio industry is on the brink of collapse, with podcasting and streaming services ravaging its very existence. The latest figures from the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) reveal a catastrophic decline in mainstream radio listeners, as South Africans flock to online platforms in droves.

Smartphones and Streaming: The Perfect Storm

The widespread adoption of smartphones and digital devices has created a perfect storm of change, with radio listeners abandoning traditional sets for online audio content. The IAB’s dashboard reveals a staggering growth in dedicated online audiences for radio station websites in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), with 5.6 million listeners visiting Jacaranda FM’s website alone.

The Rise of Niche Radio

Niche radio stations, such as Sepedi, Zulu, and Tswana stations Thobela FM, Ukhozi FM, and Motsweding FM, are also enjoying a surge in online popularity, with millions of page impressions during the quarter. The proliferation of digital devices and declining data costs have created a golden age for online radio, with audiences migrating to digital platforms in droves.

The Death of Traditional Radio

Industry insiders are sounding the alarm, warning that traditional radio is facing extinction. "The pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies in SA by an estimated four years," says Chris Borain, independent media and digital innovation consultant. "This has contributed to the large-scale shift to online radio listening."

The Rise of Podcasting

Podcasting, once a niche format, is now exploding in popularity, with South Africans consuming podcasts at an exponential rate. While many doubt podcasting will become mainstream media, it’s undeniable that traditional radio is facing a tectonic shift, as audiences abandon traditional sets for online audio content.

The End of an Era

The writing is on the wall: traditional radio is on its last legs. As podcasting and streaming services continue to ravage the industry, radio stations must adapt or die. The future of radio is online, and it’s time for the industry to wake up and smell the coffee.

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BOMBSHELL! Primedia Shareholders Are Secretly Courting Global Giants

Exclusive insiders claim that private equity firms holding stakes in South African broadcasting behemoth Primedia are quietly courting international investors, setting the stage for a potentially blockbuster deal.

Sources close to the situation reveal that Primedia’s dramatic turnaround under CEO Jonathan Procter has sparked serious interest from local and international companies eager to tap into the explosive growth potential of African media.

A surge in operating cash flow has turned Primedia into a juicy prize for private equity firms EPE Capital Partners, FirstRand, Old Mutual, and Mineworkers Investment Trust, which are now said to be weighing their options.

As mobile phone usage soars and data prices plummet across the continent, broadcasting firms are drawing increasing interest from global giants, particularly those from Europe and Asia. Can we predict a bidding war is brewing for Primedia’s valuable assets?

Some speculate that France’s Canal+ may be considering a massive offer for Primedia’s competitor, MultiChoice Group, in a deal valued at R55 billion. With its prized Eyewitness News and Radio 702 outlets, Primedia’s value is expected to skyrocket – potentially hitting R6.4 billion to R9.2 billion in the near term.

We’re told Primedia has attracted interest from "a variety" of international and local investors, with discussions still in the early stages. So, will the board of Primedia make a move? Or will this intriguing saga unfold on the sidelines of Africa’s broadcasting landscape?

Eskom’s Cancellation of Integrated Prepaid Vending Solution Tender Sparks Controversy

In a shocking move, Eskom has cancelled its tender for an integrated prepaid vending solution, citing "improper/unrealistic specifications and functionality criteria in the enquiry document". The tender, which was due to close on March 15, had been extended three times before its cancellation.

This decision has raised eyebrows, with many questioning the motives behind the cancellation. Was it a deliberate attempt to sidestep the tender process, or was it a genuine mistake?

The original scope of work for the IPVS was to provide a more integrated system with enhanced controls and functionality aligned to the Smart Grid Technology strategy. The system was meant to cater for better controls and revenue loss management capability, as well as provide a customer support portal for Eskom’s support staff.

The cancellation of the tender has left many wondering what the future holds for Eskom’s prepaid vending system. Will the utility reissue the tender, or will it opt for a different solution?

Meanwhile, other tenders are making waves in the tech industry. The Department of Human Settlements, Eastern Cape, is looking for a service provider to implement strategic ICT initiatives, while the State Information Technology Agency is procuring two routers with support and maintenance for the Department of National Treasury.

In other news, the South African Revenue Service is seeking Red Hat OpenShift subscriptions licenses with maintenance and support, while Eskom is calling for a database security management solution and an application security test solution.

Stay tuned for more updates on these tenders and the controversy surrounding Eskom’s cancellation of its integrated prepaid vending solution tender.

Time to Get Real: How Streaming Giants Are Sucking the Life Out of Telcos

South Africa’s telcos are getting a raw deal from the streaming giants. While they’re busy delivering high-quality entertainment to your doorstep, they’re leaving our telecoms operators to foot the bill. It’s time to call out these unfair practices and demand a fairer deal.

Professor Petrus Potgieter, an expert in decision sciences, agrees that it’s high time telcos started getting paid for their hard work. "The big picture here is that the broadband providers have a high-cost investment model with high fixed costs," he says. "They’re heavily regulated, but the content providers are not."

Potgieter points out that while telcos are saddled with onerous coverage obligations, they’re not getting a fair share of the profits. "The content providers enjoy the immense protection of copyright, and no one ever discusses this," he says. "They’ve been hugely successful in leveraging copyright into profitable business models online, and the ‘value add’ has gone to them, not the access providers."

But Potgieter isn’t just advocating for a handout. He thinks it’s time for telcos to get smarter about how they do business. "Regulated per-gigabyte fees could make sense," he says. "Icasa might want to consider regulating the market in the same way it regulates call termination rates."

And what about mergers and acquisitions in the telecoms sector? Potgieter thinks it’s time for the Competition Commission to get out of the way. "The Commission is a bit fanciful about the effect these mergers would have on the market," he says. "South Africa has a healthy and competitive telecoms market, and there really is no need to be concerned about mergers, unless it’s Vodacom and MTN that are doing the merging."

So, is a market solution possible without regulatory involvement? "Possibly not, given the asymmetry in bargaining power [between operators and content providers]," Potgieter says. "But it’s time for telcos to get real about their costs and start demanding a fairer deal."

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“Revolutionizing the Way Social Workers Do Their Job: The Western Cape’s Bold New App”

In a shocking move, the Western Cape’s Department of Social Development has unleashed a game-changing app that’s about to shake up the entire social work industry. Dubbed SWIMS (Social Work Integrated Management System), this innovative tool promises to transform the way social workers operate, freeing them from tedious administrative tasks and allowing them to focus on what really matters: helping those in need.

The app, developed in collaboration with the Western Cape premier’s centre for e-innovation, is already making waves among social service practitioners across the province. With SWIMS, social workers can say goodbye to hours of paperwork and hello to streamlined case management, improved monitoring, and enhanced reporting.

But that’s not all. SWIMS is also designed to improve compliance with regulatory frameworks, reduce errors, and automate workflow. And the best part? It can be used offline, making it perfect for social workers who are always on the move.

The Western Cape’s Minister of Social Development, Jaco Londt, is hailing SWIMS as a “game-changer” that will revolutionize the way social workers do their job. “With SWIMS, we’re not just streamlining processes, we’re freeing up social workers to do what they do best: helping people,” he says.

But don’t just take the minister’s word for it. According to the DSD, SWIMS has already resulted in a whopping 7-minute-per-case saving, with a total of 312,900 minutes saved every month. That’s equivalent to an entire week’s worth of administrative tasks wiped out.

And it’s not just about the numbers. SWIMS has the potential to make a real difference in the lives of those who need it most. As Western Cape Premier Alan Winde notes, “To improve the work our government does for our residents, especially the most vulnerable in society, we must embrace and utilize innovation and technology.”

So what’s next for SWIMS? The DSD is already planning to roll out the app to the non-profit sector and other government departments, including Health and Wellness and Education. And, who knows, maybe one day it’ll be a national phenomenon, transforming the social work industry across the country.

But for now, the Western Cape is taking the lead, and it’s hard to imagine a more exciting development in the world of social work. So, buckle up, folks, because SWIMS is about to change the game!

Smartphones: The Luxury Tax Trap That’s Keeping Africa Behind

As the world moves further into the digital age, the importance of smartphones in bridging the economic gap cannot be overstated. But what’s holding Africa back? It’s not just the lack of infrastructure, but also the crippling luxury taxes imposed on these devices.

The Stranglehold of Ad Valorem Taxes

The South African Revenue Service (Sars) has been milking the cellphone industry for billions of rand in ad valorem taxes, a staggering 9% of the device’s value, plus 15% VAT. For a citizen aiming for the cheapest 4G phone available in South Africa today, this means the price could be reduced from R1 000 to as little as R600, making it significantly more affordable. But will the government listen?

The Industry’s Plea for Mercy

Industry lobby group the Association of Comms & Technology, representing the country’s six largest telecommunications operators, has been begging the government to reconsider these taxes. Even the planned meeting between Communications Minister Solly Malatsi and Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana may not be enough to break the deadlock.

The Cost of Exclusion

The consequences of not making smartphones more affordable are dire. The South African economy is already struggling to stay afloat, and the exclusion of significant portions of the population from the digital economy is only exacerbating the problem. It’s time for the government to take a closer look at the impact of these taxes and make a change.

The Bottom Line

The ad valorem tax on cellphones is a luxury that South Africa can no longer afford. It’s time for the government to listen to the pleas of the industry and the people and take action to make smartphones more accessible. The future of Africa’s digital economy depends on it.

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Telkom’s Latest Power Play: Meet Mpho McNamee, the New Chief Corporate Affairs Officer

In a bold move, Telkom has appointed Mpho McNamee as its new chief corporate affairs officer, a role that will leave no stone unturned in strengthening the company’s reputation and stakeholder engagement.

The 18-year veteran of the corporate affairs game, McNamee comes to Telkom from Sappi Southern Africa, where she successfully managed the company’s reputation and relationships with its stakeholders. But don’t be fooled – she’s not just a PR expert; she’s a master strategist who has worked with some of the biggest brands in the country, including Deloitte Africa, Life Healthcare, and Nedbank.

The Real Deal

Telkom’s CEO, Serame Taukobong, is thrilled to welcome McNamee to the team, acknowledging that her extensive experience and proven track record will be invaluable in navigating the ever-changing landscape of the telecommunications industry.

But here’s the thing: McNamee’s appointment is not just about maintaining a squeaky-clean reputation; it’s about shaping the narrative of Telkom’s success. With her at the helm, Telkom’s corporate communications, public relations, brand management, and regulatory affairs will be amplified to new heights.

The Perfect Storm

As the telecommunications landscape continues to evolve, Telkom faces stiff competition from new entrants and traditional players alike. With McNamee at the helm, Telkom will be well-equipped to fend off the competition and emerge victorious. Her expertise in stakeholder relations, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability communication will help the company build strong relationships with its customers, employees, and the broader community.

The Future is Now

In a statement that exudes confidence, McNamee has announced her excitement to join Telkom and contribute her expertise to advancing the company’s mission. "I am incredibly excited to join Telkom at such a pivotal time for the telecommunications industry," she said. "Telkom plays a vital role in connecting South Africans, and I am eager to contribute my experience in building strong relationships with stakeholders and communicating effectively to advance the group’s mission."

Get ready for a new era of bold and fearless leadership at Telkom, folks. With Mpho McNamee at the helm, the future is looking bright indeed!