The Seychelles Broadcasting Company (SBC) is the national broadcaster of the Republic of Seychelles with the mandate of informing, educating, and entertaining the population of Seychelles. Located on the hilltop of Hermitage, Mont Fleuri, the SBC owns and operates 3 Television channels namely SBC1, SBC2, and SBC3. In addition, the corporation also owns 2 of the largest radio station in the country, they are Paradise FM and Radyo Sesel.[1]
Radio in the Seychelles was introduced in 1945, when the archipelago was still a British colony; it broadcast for just one hour a day and was initially operated by the Department for Education using the facilities of the telecommunications company. The first regular broadcasts, however, aired from 20 July 1965 with the official foundation of Radyo Sesel, equipped with a studio in Union Vale, near the capital. The staff consisted of a British manager/engineer and twelve local people. The broadcast hours were almost immediately four and a half hours a day in English, French and Creole. Most programs were provided by BBC Transcription Services. Other programs were produced locally or sent by international broadcasting organisations. Among the most popular programs were one about music at lunchtime and another on topics of interest to Creole speakers in the late evening.[2]
In September 1966, Radyo Sesel made his debut in outdoor broadcasts on the occasion of the colonial governor's opening of the National Show, the country's main celebration. Religious ceremonies, choral songs and sports commentary were broadcast.[3]
On May 30, 1971, an explosion occurred at Radyo Sesel's studios in Union Vale, caused by a demolition charge, which totally destroyed the transmitters.[4]
After independence
In 1977, two years after the country gained independence, Radyo Sesel was equipped with its first outdoor vehicle, which made it possible to carry out live programs such as Tea Time Music. The staff was enriched by the arrival on the scene of new names such as Douglas Cedras, Jeris Moses and Marie-Cécile Medor, who led from various places in Mahé island. The hours of the schedule reached 65 per week.[4]
In 1980, a television unit was established in Bel Eau to produce video programs for the Ministry of Education; On 1 January 1983 the first public television service was launched with Radio Television Seychelles (RTS), broadcasting from Hermitage every weekend from Friday to Sunday.[4]
In 1986, TV was already accessible to approximately 98% of the population, having now achieved almost complete coverage. In 1989 RTS Television began broadcasting 7 days a week. Thanks to the installation of a satellite dish at the Hermitage in 1991, Seychellois viewers could watch CNN, which was relayed by RTS.[4]
On 1 May 1992, following the reintroduction of the multi-party political system, RTS, previously a government broadcaster under the direct control of the Ministry of Information, became the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), an independent public broadcasting service.
[5]
On May 30, 1997, the Paradise FM radio station was launched, complementary to the already existing AM radio service.
In March 2010 SBC renewed its television programming, placing greater attention on the production of local programs. Seasonal programs were introduced and the schedule was extended to 24 hours thanks to the advent of an automatic broadcasting system.
In November 2011, SBC expanded the airtime of CCTV-News from four hours to six, with the aim of delivering a 24-hour relay upon digitalization.[6]
In May 2018 the Union Vale building was demolished to make way for the construction of the new SBC House. The radio staff was transferred to SBC's headquarters in Hermitage.[7]
On June 28, 2018, SBC switched to digital television technology, bringing its bouquet to 10 TV channels and 4 radio stations, all free.[8]
In October 2018, Radyo Sesel started broadcasting 24 hours a day.
The first annual Paradise FM Music Awards was held in December 2019, recognizing artists who have reached the top of the charts in the weekly Paradise FM Chart Attack show.[9][10]
In July 2020, analog TV technology was officially and permanently shut down.[11]
In May 2022, SBC launched 'Leko', an audio on demand service available through Radyo Sesel and Paradise FM mobile applications.[12]
Governance
The SBC is guided by Article 168 of the Constitution which makes provision for a State-funded but Independent broadcasting corporation. [13]
The State shall ensure that all broadcasting media which it owns or controls or which receive a contribution from the public fund are so constituted and managed that they may operate independently of the State and of the political or other influence of other bodies, persons or political parties.
For the purposes of clause (1), the broadcasting media referred to in that clause shall, subject to this Constitution and any other law, afford opportunities and facilities for the presentation of divergent views.
The SBC Act of 2011 established SBC as an independent corporate body administered by a board of directors, appointed by the President of the Republic.[14] In 2017, amendments to the SBC Act (SBC Amendment Act 2017) changed the manner in which board members were appointed and introduced the post of Deputy CEO.[15]
Services
Television
Name
Headquarters
Type
Launch
Language
SBC 1
Victoria
generalist (airs most of the premiere content)
1983
English, French and Creole
SBC 2
Victoria
generalist (airs mainly entertainment, educational programming, archived content, live sessions of the National Assembly and live external broadcasts, including the main sporting events)
English, French and Creole
SBC 3
Victoria
generalist (dedicated mainly to special events, such as press conferences, and repeats of programs already shown by SBC1 and SBC2)
