Cape Town TV is available free-to-air on analogue and digital transmissions in the Cape Town region, nationally on DStv Channel 263, FreeVision Channel 331 and online on the FreeVision mobile app and freevisionplay.co.za.
Mission Statement
Cape Town TV, previously known as CTV, is a non-profit, free-to-air, community television station licensed to serve the greater Cape Town metropolitan area.
The channel is owned and controlled by the community and provides access by stakeholder groups to the powerful medium of television as a tool for community development and social change.
Cape Town TV promotes active participation of the community by supporting emerging and established producers, NGOs, hyper-local TV initiatives to be content creators.
In-so-doing, Cape Town TV aims to strengthen the communication capacity of civil society and acts as an incubator for emerging, local talent in the film and television sector and related cultural industries.
Objectives
Through active community participation and audience engagement Cape Town TV aims to promote:
- Freedom of expression
- Creativity and innovation
- Authentic, local voices
- Positive social change
- Sustainable development
- Human rights and social justice
- Diversity and tolerance
Broadcast Footprint
Cape Town TV broadcasts free-to-air in the greater Cape Town area and nationally on DStv and FreeVision. The channel currently reaches an average monthly viewership of 2.5 million and appeals to a wide range of age, income and language groups.
In September 2022 Cape Town TV launched on South Africa’s digital terrestrial transmission (DTT) platform with a broadcast footprint across Cape Town and surrounding areas, reaching up to Stellenbosch, the West Coast and the southern peninsula, In 2025 this footprint will be extended to the whole of the Western Cape reaching a potential audience of 4.5 million viewers.
Programming
Cape Town TV produces and acquires content that is socially relevant, educational, informative and entertaining. The channel broadcasts 24 hours a day with a variety of programmes including local and international news, talk shows, magazine programmes and documentaries.
The station produces a number of “flagship” in-house shows and acquires premium, international content such as Al Jazeera International News and social documentaries.
The majority of shows on the channel are produced by local producers through innovative commissioning practices which allow organisations and individuals to submit content proposals. Selected producers are offered access to equipment, training and sales support and income is shared on a revenue-share basis. Independent producers can submit proposals for TV series and monetize them through sponsorship deals.
Production & Training
The channel produces 15 hours of content per week. This consists of:
- Cape Town Daily: A news bulletin airing weekdays that brings to light topical stories from Cape communities.
- EKSÊ: A daily youth edutainment show produced by and for youth that provides a platform for youth development.
- Home Grown: A popular youth music show that showcases local talent.
- The Womxn Show: A weekly show tackling gender-based violence and child safety.
- Community shows: Developed in partnership with organisations and members of the public.
Cape Town TV’s Production Development Programme (PDP) provides mentorship and training to qualifying organisations and individuals. The objective is to co-produce programmes that will entertain, inform and educate the public to fulfill the channel’s public service broadcasting mandate.
See the Programming page for information.
CAPE TOWN TV FUNDERS, SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Cape Town TV has received funding in the form of grants, donations, facilities, equipment and training from the following organisations:
