View source for SABC 3

{{short description|South African television channel}}
{{Infobox television channel
| name              = SABC 3
| logo              = Sabc+3+logo+2021.jpg
| logo_size         = 150px
| logo_alt          = Logo for the SABC3 (now known as '''S3''') since April 2021
| launch_date       = October 1991 (as NNTV)<br />4 February 1996 (as SABC 3)
| closed_date       =
| picture_format    = [[1080i]] [[HDTV]] <br/> (downscaled to [[576i]] for the [[Standard-definition television|SDTV]] feed)
| network           = [[SABC]]
| owner             = [[South African Broadcasting Corporation|SABC]]
| country           = [[South Africa]]
| language          = [[South African English|English]],<ref name="MDDA-draft">{{cite web|url=http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=70339|title=The Media Development and Diversity Agency - a draft position paper|date=November 2000|publisher=South African Government Information|page=68|access-date=2008-11-30|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831080611/http://www.info.gov.za/view/DownloadFileAction?id=70339|archive-date=2009-08-31}}</ref> [[Afrikaans]]
| area              = [[South Africa]]
| affiliates        = 
| headquarters      = SABC Television Park, Uitsaaisentrum, [[Johannesburg]], [[South Africa]]
| former_names      = National Network Television (NNTV) (1991-1996)
| replaced          = TopSport Surplus (TSS)
| replaced_by       = 
| sister_channels   = {{Plainlist|
* [[SABC 1]]
* [[SABC 2]]
* [[SABC News]]
* [[SABC Lehae]]
* [[SABC Education]]
* [[SABC Sport]]
* [[SABC Encore]]
* [[SABC Children]]
}}
| timeshift_service = 
| website           = {{URL|http://www.sabc3.com}}
| terr_serv_1       = [[Sentech]]
| terr_chan_1       = [[SABC DTT]] Channel 3
| sat_radio_serv_1  = 
| sat_radio_chan_1  = 
| adsl serv 1       = 
| adsl chan 1       = 
| online_serv_1     = SABC Plus OTT
| online_chan_1     = SABC Plus
| terr_serv_2 = [[DStv]]
| terr_chan_2 = Channel 193
| terr_serv_3 = [[OpenView HD|OpenView]]
| terr_chan_3 = Channel 103
| online_serv_2 = DStv Now
| online_chan_2 = Channel 193
| 3gmobile serv 1   =  
}}
'''SABC 3''', also branded as '''S3''', is a South African [[free-to-air]] television channel owned by the [[South African Broadcasting Corporation]] (SABC). Since March 2024, it carries programming in [[English language|English]] and [[Afrikaans]] only.

==History==
The SABC introduced a third network known as TSS, or TopSport Surplus, TopSport being the brand name for the SABC's sport coverage, in October 1991. The channel accommodated sporting events that could not be seen on [[SABC 2|TV1]] as an overflow service.<ref name="UPretoria">{{cite web |title=TELEVISION COMES TO SOUTH AFRICA |url=https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/24845/07chapter7.pdf?sequence=8&isAllowed=y |access-date=5 February 2024 |website=University of Pretoria |date=2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220320094055/https://repository.up.ac.za/bitstream/handle/2263/24845/07chapter7.pdf?sequence=8&isAllowed=y |archive-date=20 March 2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> This was replaced by NNTV (National Network TV), an educational, non-commercial channel, in February 1994.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=-NRDAQAAIAAJ&q=%22february+11%22++ ''The voice, the vision: a sixty year history of the South African Broadcasting Corporation''], Malcolm Theunissen, Victor Nikitin, Melanie Pillay, Advent Graphics, 1996, page 127</ref>

In 1996, the SABC reorganised its three TV channels with the aim of making them more representative of the various language groups. These new channels were called [[SABC 1]], [[SABC 2]] and SABC 3.

SABC3 inherited many of its programs from TV1, [[South Africa|South Africa's]] [[apartheid]]-era "white" channel. SABC 3 is targeted at South Africa's affluent English-speaking community; the channel's primary target market is viewers aged 18 to 49. It screens a combination of international programming from the [[United States]] and [[United Kingdom]], as well as locally produced [[soap opera]]s, [[talk show]]s and [[Drama (film and television)|drama series]]. SABC 3's new format stemmed largely from a 1997 decision to commercialise the broadacaster, reducing the amount of documentary content that it previously broadcast since the days of NNTV. The new line-up was driven by ratings.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Haffajee |first1=Ferial |title=SABC's radical changes |url=https://mg.co.za/article/1997-06-20-sabcs-radical-changes/ |work=[[Mail & Guardian]] |date=20 June 1997}}</ref>

SABC 3 moved its main news from 8pm to 7pm on 7 April 2003. It was rumoured that the new time was to compete with [[e.tv]]'s main bulletin, which was on at the same time, but these rumours were denied by Jimi Matthews, who had moved from the rival broadcaster.<ref>"Changes at SABC news", ''Africa Film & TV Magazine'', nº. 36, February–April 2003</ref>

The channel's HD broadcasts began on 11 June 2018, in time for the [[2018 FIFA World Cup]], alongside [[SABC 1]]. As of June 2018, the channel started broadcasting in high definition.<ref>{{cite web |title=SABC GOING HIGH DEFINITION FOR THE 2018 FIFA WORLD CUP IN RUSSIA|url=https://web.sabc.co.za/sabc/home/tvob/events/details?id=c13f39d6-77c7-432d-9ca0-a1076db7b7ca&title=SABC%20GOING%20HIGH%20DEFINITION%20FOR%20THE%202018%20FIFA%20WORLD%20CUP%20IN%20RUSSIA |access-date=11 July 2024 |website=SABC |date=7 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711111046/http://web.sabc.co.za/sabc/home/tvob/events/details?id=c13f39d6-77c7-432d-9ca0-a1076db7b7ca&title=SABC%20GOING%20HIGH%20DEFINITION%20FOR%20THE%202018%20FIFA%20WORLD%20CUP%20IN%20RUSSIA |archive-date=11 July 2024}}</ref>

In April 2021, the channel rebranded and is stylised as S3.

==Programming==
SABC 3 has deals with studio companies in the US and various television networks in the [[United Kingdom|UK]] to air some series with a few months' delay from their international airdates.

=== Soapies, dramas and telenovelas ===
The channel is known for its longest-running soapie ''[[Isidingo]]'', and previously aired local dramas such as'' High Rollers'', and popular international soaps ''[[Days of Our Lives]]'' and ''[[The Bold and the Beautiful]]'', which SABC 3 stopped airing because of financial constraints. This upset viewers fond of the soapie and started a petition to keep the show running. The channel currently offers international dramas such as ''[[Knightfall (TV series)|Knightfall]]'', ''[[NCIS (TV series)|NCIS]]'', ''[[House of Cards (American TV series)|House of Cards]]'', ''[[MotherFatherSon]]'', ''[[Line of Duty]]'', ''[[El Chapo (TV series)|El Chapo]],'' and ''[[Killing Eve]]''. In April 2021, the channel introduced a new local drama ''[[The Estate (South African TV series)|The Estate]]'' and new telenovelas ''[[Órfãos da Terra|Orphans Of A Nation]]'', ''[[The Bay (web series)|The Bay]]'' and ''[[Kirmizi Oda|The Red Room]]''.

=== Children and education ===
{{main|List of children and youth programs produced by the SABC}}
The channel has local children's content such as Challenge SOS, Talent on Track, Yum.Me and Hectic on 3, along with and international catalogue of kids and teens entertainment from [[Disney Channel|Disney]] and [[Nickelodeon]]. This includes kids shows such as ''[[Mickey Mouse Clubhouse]]'', ''[[Go Jetters]]'' and ''[[My Friends Tigger & Pooh]]'', as well as teen shows such as ''[[Victorious]]'', ''[[iCarly]]'', ''[[Wizards of Waverly Place]]'', ''[[Shake It Up (American TV series)|Shake It Up]]'', ''[[Cory in the House]]'', ''[[Girl Meets World]]'', ''[[Sam & Cat]]'', ''[[Winx Club]]'', ''[[Violetta (TV series)|Violetta]]'', ''[[Polly Pocket (TV series)|Polly Pocket]]'', ''[[Kuu Kuu Harajuku]]'', ''[[Sanjay and Craig]]'', ''[[Henry Danger]]'', ''[[Nowhere Boys]]'', ''[[Noah and Saskia|Noah & Saskia]]'', ''[[Spellbinder (TV series)|Spellbinder]]'', ''[[Spellbinder: Land of the Dragon Lord]]'', ''[[Mortified]]'', ''[[Legacy of the Silver Shadow]]'', ''[[Crash Zone]]'' and ''Hectic on 3''. Unlike its sister channels, SABC 3 has less programming from the SABC Education banner.

=== Series ===
SABC 3 used to license and produce local versions of international series like ''[[The Apprentice (American TV series)|The Apprentice]]'', ''[[The Weakest Link (British game show)|The Weakest Link]]'', and ''[[Top Chef]]''. The South African adaptions of ''The Apprentice'' and ''The Weakest Link'' have been off air and out of production for longer than 10 years.

In 2017, [[Hlaudi Motsoeneng]] who was then COO of the SABC, decreed that SABC TV stations should broadcast 90% local content. The decree turned out to be unsuccessful, as the local productions were the least watched on the channel.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2017/05/11/sabc-admits-90-local-content-policy-was-a-flop_a_22080999/|title=SABC Admits 90% Local Content Policy Was A Flop|date=2017-05-11|website=HuffPost UK|language=en|access-date=2019-09-19}}</ref> After some time, their flagship international series returned, such as [[Survivor (American TV series)|Survivor]] and [[The Amazing Race]]. The channel currently has reality series such as [[Judge Faith]], Ready for Love and Christina Milian:Turned up. The channel also offers nature documentaries from [[National Geographic (American TV channel)|National Geographic]] and [[BBC Earth (TV channel)|BBC Earth]].

In March 2024, SABC 3 announced a partnership with [[BBC Studios]], under which it would broadcast a nightly [[Block programming|block]] on weeknights known as BBC PRIMETIME beginning 1 May, which would feature airings of dramas and factual programmes from its library. The agreement also includes streaming content on SABC+.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-03-20 |title=BBC Studios, SABC launch BBC Primetime on S3 |url=https://advanced-television.com/2024/03/20/bbc-studios-sabc-launch-bbc-primetime-on-s3/ |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=Advanced Television |language=en-GB}}</ref>

=== Music ===
The channel also focuses on adult contemporary and urban music and has music specials from local and international artists. Shows like The Mic, Base 3 and Tapestry are aired on the channel. SABC 3 broadcasts Koze Kuse from [[SABC 1]] from August 2019 to April 2021.

=== Talk and magazine ===
SABC 3 has a heavy focus on local and international talk and magazines such as the breakfast show ''Expresso'', ''[[Afternoon Express]]'', ''[[The Real (talk show)|The Real]]'', ''The Scoop'' and ''[[Harry (talk show)|Harry]]''.

=== Sports ===
SABC 3 broadcasts All [[Cricket South Africa]] Inbound Tours Of The Proteas Men's Team. It Also Broadcasts The [[Bundesliga]] On Weekends, [[Women's Super League]], The Sasol League And The Hollywoodbets Super League. It Also Broadcasts [[LFC TV]] On It's Sports Show Sports Arena Including WSB Horseracing, [[Formula E]], [[World Rally Championship|FIA WRC]], [[Extreme E]] And Sports Highlights. The Channel Also Provides Overflow Space For [[Confederation of African Football|CAF]] Competitions And [[Premier Soccer League]] Matches. It recently started broadcasting the [[Premier League]].

=== News and current affairs ===
SABC 3 serves the bulletin news for [[South African English|English]] speakers, simulcasting news broadcasts with their [[SABC News|SABC NEWS CHANNEL]] for On Point, Monday to Friday @ 13:00, NEWS @ 8, Monday to Friday @ 20:00 & NEWS In 15 Minutes, Weekends @ 18:00. It also broadcasts [[Afrikaans]] News, Monday to Friday @ 20:30 & Weekends @ 18:15. SABC 3 also broadcast [[Deutsche Welle]] & [[DW News]] all the way from [[Germany]] in [[South African English|English]].

=== Movies ===
The channel provides action, horror, drama, comedy, sci-fi, adventure, thriller, romance and fantasy movies during primetime. SABC 3 is well known for broadcasting popular [[Bollywood]] movies in their original [[Hindi]] & [[Tamil Language|Tamil]] soundtrack.

== See also ==
* [[List of South African media]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{official website}}

{{SABC}}
{{Greater Johannesburg|media}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sabc 3}}
[[Category:Television stations in South Africa]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1996]]
[[Category:English-language television stations in South Africa]]
[[Category:Afrikaans-language television]]