Streaming Services Like Netflix May Soon Have to Show More South African Content
Local Is Lekker – And It Might Soon Be the Law. Streaming giants like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ may soon have to dial up their local flavour in South Africa. The government is pushing forward proposed amendments to the Broadcasting Act that would require international streaming services to feature more South African content which could lead to potentially reshaping what appears on your screen and how stories from Mzansi are told and seen.
A Push for Cultural Sovereignty
The proposed changes stem from a broader global trend of countries asserting control over cultural narratives in the digital age. In South Africa, this means protecting and promoting local languages, traditions, and talent in an entertainment landscape dominated by Hollywood blockbusters and European series.
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies wants international streaming platforms to contribute to the local industry not just as a marketplace, but as a creative partner. Think more Blood & Water, Savage Beauty, or even Shaka Ilembe, but spread across more genres and platforms. From crime thrillers to rom-coms to isiXhosa sci-fi.
What’s in the Proposal?
The draft White Paper on Audio and Audiovisual Media Services and Online Content Regulation has laid out key measures:
- Minimum Local Content Quotas: Streaming platforms would be required to allocate a certain percentage of their catalogues to South African content.
- Funding and Investment: These platforms may also have to invest directly into the local production ecosystem.
- Equal Play for Local Talent: The idea isn’t just about numbers, it’s about visibility, ensuring local shows are discoverable and promoted.
While the exact quotas and mechanisms are still under discussion, the goal is clear. Level the playing field and empower South African creators to tell stories that resonate both locally and globally.
Industry Reactions
Reactions have been mixed. Local filmmakers and production houses have welcomed the idea, saying it could supercharge the industry, create jobs, and spotlight untold stories.
“I’ve pitched to streamers before and often heard: ‘It’s too local,’” one Johannesburg-based producer said. “This shift could finally flip that script.”
Streaming platforms, meanwhile, have expressed caution. Industry insiders warn that hard quotas may limit programming flexibility or raise operational costs, though some already have a good track record in commissioning South African originals. Netflix, for example, has launched a number of South African series and documentaries, and in 2022 announced a multi-million rand investment in local creatives. The platform is watching the regulatory developments closely.
What It Means for Viewers
For the everyday viewer? It could mean more local language content, more diverse representations of South African life, and stories that reflect the country’s rich history, humour, and heart. From township dramas to Zulu mythology, streaming could soon feel a lot more local and a lot more relevant.
A Defining Moment for SA Entertainment
The next steps involve public consultations, potential redrafting, and legislative processes, but momentum is building. South Africa could join countries like Canada, Australia, and members of the EU in requiring streamers to help sustain their local film and television industries. If the proposals are passed, the golden age of streaming might just usher in a golden age of South African storytelling.
Source: 2oceansvibe
