The Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) is the National Public Broadcaster of the Republic of Seychelles.
What we Broadcast
The SBC owns and operates 3 Television channels, SBC1, SBC2 and SBC3 and 2 radio services: Radyo Sesel & Paradise FM.
We will also broadcast free-to-view international television services on our DTT platform, namely; Al Jazeerah, DW, TV5 Monde, TiVi5, TV5 Lifestyle, CGTN NEWS, CGTN Français, Russia Today and France 24.
The SBC also has the responsibility of relaying 2 international radio stations namely Radio France International (RFI) and British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC World Service) on FM.
Governance
The SBC is guided by Article 168 of the Constitution which makes provision for a State-funded but Independent broadcasting corporation.
- 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 2011 establishes SBC as an independent body corporate administered by a board of directors, appointed by the President of the Republic. In 2017, amendments to the SBC Act (SBC Amendment Act 2017) changed the manner in which board members were appointed. The 2017 amendment also introduced the post of Deputy CEO.
The SBC is governed by an independent Board of Directors…
The SBC Board of Directors is made up of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and seven members:
- Gérard Lafortune (Chairperson)
- Ms Marie Anette Ernesta (Vice-Chairperson)
- Ms Evelina Antha
- Mr Ralph Lablache
- Mr Audric Govinden
- Mrs Joana Nicette
- Mr Michel Pierre
- Mrs Marion Gendron
- Mr Harry Tirant
The CEO, Deputy CEO and the Elected Staff representative are ex-officio members of the SBC board.
…and managed by a passionate executive team.
The SBC’s Executive is headed by the Chief Executive Officer, assisted by a Deputy Chief Executive Officer. Both executives were appointed following recommendations made by the SBC Board to the President, who in turn, consulted with the Speaker of the National Assembly and the Chief Justice, as per the stipulations of the SBC Act.
There are 9 sections within the functional structure of SBC.
The final outputs which our audience hears and views on the air is a result of the concerted efforts of these different sections.
Our historic milestones
Hello Seychelles!
Public broadcasting in Seychelles dates from 1945 with a daily one-hour broadcast run by the Department of Education, using the facilities of the Cable and Wireless telecommunications company.
A new team for a new station
Eric Passmore was appointed as Manager of Radio Seychelles.
An announcer, Gilbert Confait, and a technician, Dawson Sinon, were employed on a full time basis, while two other persons were employed on a part time basis, Emmy Etienne as announcer and Davidson Chang-Him as technician.
The appointment of a manager brought additional development. Broadcasting time was increased to four and a half hours on weekdays. Local news items and announcements were broadcast in English and Creole. New programmes were also introduced, such as local advertising in both languages, a programme of lunch time music and another focusing on items of interest to the Creole-speaking listeners which was broadcast late in the evening.
A new team for a new station
Eric Passmore was appointed as Manager of Radio Seychelles.
An announcer, Gilbert Confait, and a technician, Dawson Sinon, were employed on a full time basis, while two other persons were employed on a part time basis, Emmy Etienne as announcer and Davidson Chang-Him as technician.
The appointment of a manager brought additional development. Broadcasting time was increased to four and a half hours on weekdays. Local news items and announcements were broadcast in English and Creole. New programmes were also introduced, such as local advertising in both languages, a programme of lunch time music and another focusing on items of interest to the Creole-speaking listeners which was broadcast late in the evening.
Radio Seychelles goes on tour
Outside broadcasts started on the occasion of the opening of the National Show by the Governor. Religious services, choral singing and sports commentaries were also broadcasted.
With the installation of a new Marconi transmitter, Radio Seychelles operated in a medium wave band on a 1 kilowatt power output, transmitting for four and a half hours daily in the three languages, English, French and Creole. The new equipment resulted in an improvement in both range and quality. Most of the programmes continued to be provided by the BBC Transcription Service. Other programmes were produced locally or sent by international broadcasting organisations. The staff consisted of a British manager/engineer on I.V.S. Volunteer and six full-time and six part-time local staff.
Radio Seychelles goes on tour
Outside broadcasts started on the occasion of the opening of the National Show by the Governor. Religious services, choral singing and sports commentaries were also broadcasted.
With the installation of a new Marconi transmitter, Radio Seychelles operated in a medium wave band on a 1 kilowatt power output, transmitting for four and a half hours daily in the three languages, English, French and Creole. The new equipment resulted in an improvement in both range and quality. Most of the programmes continued to be provided by the BBC Transcription Service. Other programmes were produced locally or sent by international broadcasting organisations. The staff consisted of a British manager/engineer on I.V.S. Volunteer and six full-time and six part-time local staff.
A small setback
On Sunday 30th May 1971 at 1.15 a.m an explosion occurred at Radio Seychelles at Union Vale which totally destroyed the transmitters. Damage was estimated at half a million Seychelles rupees. The explosion was caused by a demolition charge placed on the premises.
Our first van! New announcers! More hours!
Radio Seychelles received its first outside broadcasting van which made it possible to introduced live programmes such as tea time music. The programmes were hosted by different announcers like Douglas Cedras, Jeris Moses and Marie-Cécile Medor, from various places around Mahé.
That same year the hours of broadcasting were extended to 65 hours per week.
A survey was also conducted to inquire about the listening habits and opinions of the listeners of Radio Seychelles.
Our first van! New announcers! More hours!
Radio Seychelles received its first outside broadcasting van which made it possible to introduced live programmes such as tea time music. The programmes were hosted by different announcers like Douglas Cedras, Jeris Moses and Marie-Cécile Medor, from various places around Mahé.
That same year the hours of broadcasting were extended to 65 hours per week.
A survey was also conducted to inquire about the listening habits and opinions of the listeners of Radio Seychelles.
Public television is launched
Public television was launched with Radio Television Seychelles (RTS) broadcasting from Hermitage every weekend (Friday to Sunday).
Daily TV + CNN broadcasts
RTS television began broadcasting seven evenings a week.
With the installation of a new satellite dish at the TV station at Hermitage two years later, viewers were able to watch CNN relayed by RTS.
RTS evolves into the SBC
Following the re-introduction of multiparty politics, RTS (a government station run by the Ministry of Information) became the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (SBC), a public broadcasting service.
A local focus within a global approach
The SBC TV revamped its programming with a stronger focus on locally-produced programmes. This saw the introduction of its seasons-based local production programming and its 24-hour service due to coming on line of its Automated On-Air Playout system.
A local focus within a global approach
The SBC TV revamped its programming with a stronger focus on locally-produced programmes. This saw the introduction of its seasons-based local production programming and its 24-hour service due to coming on line of its Automated On-Air Playout system.
Construction begins on SBC House
The Radio Station at Union Vale was demolished to pave the way for the construction of the new SBC House. The Radio team was relocated to the main SBC headquarters at Hermitage.