Apply for subsidised TV decoder now,
Qualifying households should visit their local post office as soon as possible to apply for a free government-subsidized decoder (also called a set-top box). Qualifying households do not have to pay anything for the set-top box – it is free.
During the State of the Nation Address, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa must complete the migration to digital broadcast . The analogue television signal will be switched off and only digital television transmissions will be broadcast. Analogue television sets will then only work if they are connected to a decoder.
Qualifying households that apply before 1 October 22 will receive a decoder before the analogue television signal is switched off. Those who apply after 1 November will only receive a decoder later.
All South African households with an income of R3500 per month or less and a working television set qualify for a government subsidized set-top box. Qualifying beneficiaries must visit their nearest Post Office branch as soon as possible with the following documentation:
- A South African identity document.
- Proof of address.
- An affidavit to confirm that the family has a working television set.
- A bank statement or affidavit to confirm that the family income is R3500 per month or less. If you receive a SASSA grant, you do not need to bring proof of income. Proof that you receive a SASSA grant is enough.
Television channels
- SABC 1
- SABC 2
- SABC 3
- SABC Sport
- SABC Education
- SABC Encore
- SABC News
- Parliament
- Africa Magic Epic
- Mzanzi Bioskop
- M Movies 4
- Mzanzi Wethu
- S Sport Blitz
- SS Select sport
- Discovery TLC
- Disney JNR
- Nick Toons
- Mzanzi Music
- Channel O
- Dumisa
- Mnet Go
- 790 CSN
Radio stations
- Radio 2000
- Metro
- Good Hope
- RSG
- 04 Channel Africa
- 5FM
- Lesedi Fm
- Lotus
- Ukhozi
- SAFM
- Umhlobo
- Thobela
- Metsweding
- Munghana Lonene
- Phalaphala
- Ligwalagala
- Ikwekwezi
- Tru FM
- X K FM
The quality of digital television broadcasts is better than an analogue signal. The subsidized set-top box also gives a much bigger selection of channels: