24.03.2026
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SABC releases audience performing data for Face the Nation

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  • SABC’s Henley entrance, in Auckland Park, Johannesburg.

The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) has released audience performance data for its current affairs show, Face the Nation.  

This is after the SABC terminated the show due to low viewership. 

The SABC says in a statement, “The programme’s average audience rating reflects a material and sustained underperformance against the channel’s primetime target. Comparative programmes in this time slot typically achieve share levels of approximately 1% to 2%”.

The public broadcaster has dismissed the suggestion that political pressure influenced its decision, saying the production team of the show, including the presenter Clement Manyathela, were notified in December 2025 that the contracts would conclude on 31 March 2026. 

“Over the past five months, the programme has been intermittently pre-empted to accommodate extended live broadcasts of nationally significant proceedings, including the Madlanga Commission and the ad hoc Parliamentary committee sittings. This resulted in instances where production costs were incurred without the programme being aired. The programme carries a high cost structure. This includes a premium presenter fee, as well as additional costs arising from the presenter’s requirement to utilise his own dedicated producer, over and above standard SABC production allocations’, said a statement by the broadcaster.

On Tuesday, the SABC released audience performance data emphasising that the decision was not centred on any individual, but rather on the overall performance of the show and should not be interpreted as an isolated action relating to any individual programme or personnel. 

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