SABC+ Launches Revamped Streaming Platform Surpassing Showmax's Quality

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has introduced its newly revamped SABC+ streaming service with an array of updated features and improved streaming quality that surpasses the offerings of local competitors like Showmax. The public broadcaster announced the migration of the service to a new platform, which caused planned downtime from Friday, 1 December 2023. Promising an "exciting new offer," SABC unveiled that the changes align with their commitment to deliver an optimal digital content experience to its audience.

The previous iteration of the SABC's streaming service was essentially a rebranded version of TelkomONE, which SABC adopted in November 2022. It provided access to seven TV channels and 19 radio stations from the broadcaster's portfolio. Now, with a rejuvenated interface and the unveiling of SABC-plus.com, users can access these services via web or mobile browsers, enhancing the accessibility of the SABC+ mobile application available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

In a bold move by SABC, viewers no longer require an account for streaming content "this season", suggesting a possible reintroduction of the account requirement at a later stage. Despite this, a "Festive Pop-up channel" is currently on offer, indicating a strategic approach to holiday programming.

A noticeable transformation is the cleaner, less cluttered primary interface with distinct separations among categories and the implementation of a new, bolder font type. The web-based platform categorizes channels into TV Channels, News, Sports, and Radio Stations. Moreover, navigation on the website is simplified with a top bar that allows quick jumps between Home, TV, Radio, and account management for TV licenses.

SABC+ has raised the bar in quality, offering a maximum streaming resolution of 1080p, which places it ahead of local rivals eVOD and Showmax, the latter of which is anticipating a relaunch in February 2024 with a 720p ceiling. Users now can select from a range of resolutions or let the 'Auto' feature adjust the quality to their internet connection, delivering a seamless viewing experience even on shared high-speed networks.

While the majority of SABC's content streamed flawlessly at 1080p without issues during tests, there were occasional lines observed on some content, indicative of minor encoding or decoding glitches that did not significantly impact the overall high-quality viewing experience.

The addition of the picture-in-picture (PiP) mode on both the web and mobile versions of the app is a noteworthy enhancement. This multi-tasking feature facilitates continuous viewing while engaging in other activities, be it work or using other apps.

SABC has been transparent regarding service functionality that may be initially unavailable as they continue to refine the new service. Notably, catch-up for recent episodes and screencasting are temporarily on hold, with the broadcaster assuring continued rollouts of new features and improvements post-migration. The audience is called to exercise patience during this transitional phase.

While further details on upcoming features of the revamped app remain undisclosed, SABC's stride forward points to a promising future for the public broadcaster's digital content delivery strategy.