Below is How To Start A Radio Station In South Africa
How do I start a radio station in South Africa?
Well, first and foremost, the community broadcaster needs to be registered with the government body, the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA). Once a license has been obtained through ICASA, the community broadcaster can approach SAMRO for a music user license.
Apply for a community broadcasting service license in South Africa
The community broadcasting license allows a non-profit organization to serve the broadcasting needs of a community for a maximum of four years. It is renewable on the condition that you have complied with the conditions set out by the licensing authority.
Special event community sound licenses can be issued for a period not exceeding 45 days.
Temporary community television licenses can be issued for a period not exceeding one year.
A four-year community broadcasting license may be granted for a:
- sound broadcasting service
- television broadcasting service.
The Department of Communications supports four-year licensees with broadcast and production equipment, provided they meet the requirements of the Department.
Note: The Independent Communication Authority of South Africa (Icasa)(link is external) issued a moratorium on the licensing of terrestrial community television licenses on 29 March 2010. It issued a moratorium on new applications for community radio stations on 22 September 2015.
More information on licenses is available on the Icasa website(link is external), or contact them at:
Tel: 012 568 3000/3001
How much does it cost to start a radio station in South Africa?
The cost of equipment to set up a fully functioning radio station costs between R450 000 and R1.5million.
How can I start my own FM radio station?
Apply for a frequency. It may take a long time before you’re assigned a frequency [source FCC].
Apply for a license. It’s illegal to operate an unlicensed radio station, even at extremely low power [source: FCC].
Establish a source of funding.
[Top] 10 Radio Station in South Africa
Station | Audience | |
1 | Ukhozi FM | 7 504 000 |
2 | Umhlobo Wenene FM | 5 394 000 |
3 | Metro FM | 4 267 000 |
4 | Lesedi FM | 3 084 000 |
5 | Thobela FM | 2 643 000 |
6 | Motsweding FM | 2 356 000 |
7 | Gagasi FM | 1 654 000 |
8 | RSG | 1 339 000 |
9 | Ligwagwala FM | 1 161 000 |
10 | iKwekwezi FM | 1 125 000 |