In a major boost for digital accessibility in South Africa, Vodacom has zero-rated news and educational content on the SABC+ streaming platform. The initiative allows Vodacom subscribers to access critical information and learning resources without incurring data charges, addressing a significant barrier to entry in a market where data costs remain a primary concern for many consumers.
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The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) announced the partnership on X, confirming that Vodacom users can now stream the SABC News, Al Jazeera, and SABC Education live channels at no data cost. The move is designed to keep citizens informed and connected to “the stories that matter” without the financial burden of data consumption.
This zero-rating arrives alongside a strategic expansion of the broadcaster’s educational catalogue. In January 2026, the SABC partnered with Microsoft South Africa to integrate AI fluency modules and digital literacy pathways into the SABC+ platform. This collaboration offers learners the chance to earn recognized digital badges in fields such as generative AI and responsible AI use, aimed at strengthening employability. While the live SABC Education channel is now data-free, it remains to be seen if the on-demand “Microsoft AI Skills” modules will eventually be included in the zero-rating agreement.
The growth of SABC+ represents a rare financial beacon for the state-owned broadcaster, which has long struggled with declining advertising revenue and widespread TV license payment avoidance. Since its major relaunch in July 2024, the platform has surpassed all internal expectations.
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Although the relaunch required all users to register—effectively forcing the platform to build its audience from scratch—the strategy has paid off. On February 19, 2026, the SABC revealed that the platform had reached two million registered users. This milestone is particularly impressive considering it reached the one-million-user mark just nine months prior, in August 2025. National Treasury documents indicate that the SABC was only targeting one million users by the 2026/27 financial year; instead, it doubled that goal a month before the new financial year even began.
The broadcaster has described SABC+ as more than just a streaming service, calling it the “rebirth of South Africa’s public service media, redefined for the digital age.” Recent technical upgrades have transformed the user experience, adding support for smart TVs, personalized recommendations, catch-up services, and offline viewing. By combining these modern features with the recent Vodacom data partnership, the SABC is successfully positioning itself as the foundation for a more inclusive local digital ecosystem.
