South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation
South Sudan's national public service broadcaster, operating radio and television services from Juba.
Last updated August 25, 2026
Overview
The South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC) is the national public service broadcaster of South Sudan. Based in central Juba, it operates radio and television services intended to provide nationwide information, public communication, and general programming in a country whose media infrastructure has developed under difficult political, financial, and technical conditions. SSBC's service portfolio includes radio stations using AM and FM transmission and a television service known as South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation Television. Its television broadcasts are distributed through VHF and UHF analogue transmitters in Juba. The corporation also uses satellite distribution, allowing its radio and television services to reach audiences beyond the immediate terrestrial coverage area. The cited satellite platforms include Badr 4, Intelsat 19, and Galaxy 19, which make SSBC potentially viewable in multiple regions outside South Sudan. The broadcaster's central Juba facilities include studios, television and FM transmission equipment, a satellite uplink, and a mast. These facilities support both local terrestrial broadcasting and wider satellite delivery. SSBC has also leased parts of its infrastructure or facilities to international broadcasters, including the BBC World Service and Radio France, linking the national broadcaster's physical media assets with international news and public-service broadcasting operations. Development of SSBC has involved international cooperation. In 2012, the Government of South Sudan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency signed a six-year, US$6 million agreement intended to strengthen the government media house. The reported objectives included supporting the broadcaster's development, although the available reference material does not provide a detailed breakdown of the expenditure or the agreement's final results. In 2018, China announced plans for a US$15 million project involving a new modern studio and employee training. The available material describes this as an announced development plan rather than confirming completion or the final value delivered. SSBC's positioning is therefore that of a state-owned national public broadcaster rather than a commercial media brand. Its strategic role is tied to national information provision, public communication, and the creation of a domestic broadcasting platform for South Sudan. Its terrestrial television footprint is centered on Juba, while radio and satellite distribution extend its potential reach. The corporation's importance lies not only in its programming but also in its role as a core part of South Sudan's communications infrastructure.
History
South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation is the national public service broadcaster of South Sudan. The available reference material does not specify a precise founding date, a named founder, or a detailed institutional chronology before the corporation's development as the country's national broadcaster. It identifies SSBC as a government-owned and government-operated media institution headquartered in central Juba. The corporation's infrastructure is organized around its Juba headquarters, which contains studios, television and FM transmitters, a satellite uplink, and a mast. Its broadcasting model combines terrestrial and satellite distribution. Radio services operate on AM and FM, while television is transmitted through VHF and UHF analogue transmitters in Juba. Satellite carriage on Badr 4, Intelsat 19, and Galaxy 19 extends the potential reach of SSBC beyond the local terrestrial footprint and enables reception in various locations outside South Sudan. SSBC has also functioned as part of the broader broadcasting infrastructure used by international media organizations. The corporation leases facilities to broadcasters including the BBC World Service and Radio France. This arrangement indicates that its premises and technical resources have value beyond SSBC's own programming, particularly in a media environment where local transmission and production infrastructure is limited. A major reported development phase began in 2012, when the Government of South Sudan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency entered a six-year agreement valued at US$6 million. The stated purpose was to improve the development of the government media house. The available source does not provide detailed information about the individual projects financed, implementation milestones, or the agreement's final outcome, so its historical significance can be described as an international development initiative rather than as a confirmed completed modernization program. In 2018, China announced plans to spend a reported US$15 million on a new state-of-the-art studio and employee training. This proposal represented a further effort to improve production capacity and staff capability. The available reference characterizes the investment as an announcement and does not establish whether the studio was completed, the entire amount was disbursed, or the training program reached its intended scale. SSBC's institutional history is consequently closely connected to the construction of South Sudan's national media system. Its role encompasses broadcasting, public information, technical infrastructure, and the provision of facilities to other broadcasters. The broadcaster's terrestrial television service remains centered in Juba, while its radio and satellite operations provide a wider potential audience. More detailed information about programming, regional transmitters, leadership, governance, and current operations is not established by the supplied reference material.
- 2018Planned Chinese studio and training project
China announced plans for a reported US$15 million project covering construction of a modern studio and training for SSBC employees. Completion is not confirmed in the supplied material.
- 2012Japan-backed development agreement
The Government of South Sudan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency signed a six-year agreement reported at US$6 million to support development of the government media house.
Products and positioning
National public service broadcaster and state-owned communications institution serving South Sudan through radio, television, and satellite distribution.
South Sudan RadioRadio broadcasting
SSBC's radio service operates through AM and FM transmission. It forms part of the corporation's national public-service broadcasting role and is supported by the broadcaster's Juba-based studios and transmission infrastructure. The available source does not identify individual channels, schedules, languages, or regional relay coverage.
South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation TelevisionTelevision broadcasting
The corporation's television service broadcasts through VHF and UHF analogue transmitters located in Juba. It is also distributed by satellite, including via Badr 4, Intelsat 19, and Galaxy 19, providing potential access beyond the terrestrial coverage area. Detailed programming information is not provided in the reference material.
Flagship businesses
- South Sudan Radio
- South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation Television
Brand decisions
- 2018Planned studio modernization and employee trainingStrategy
SSBC required stronger production facilities and staff capabilities as part of the development of South Sudan's national broadcasting infrastructure.
What changed. China announced plans for a reported US$15 million investment in a new modern studio and employee training.
Aftermath. The available source does not confirm whether the project was completed or whether the announced amount was fully invested.
Reported planned investment. US$15 million announced plan (Announced in 2018)
- 2012International development financing for SSBCStrategy
South Sudan's government sought external support to develop its national government media institution and broadcasting capacity.
What changed. The Government of South Sudan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency signed a six-year agreement reported at US$6 million.
Aftermath. The reference identifies the agreement but does not document its detailed implementation, completion, or measurable operational results.
Reported agreement value. US$6 million agreement (Six years, announced in 2012)
Recent events
- 2018China announces planned investment in a new SSBC studio and staff training
China announced plans for a reported US$15 million project to develop a modern studio for SSBC and provide employee training. The available reference does not confirm completion.
Other - 2012South Sudan and Japan sign development agreement for the government media house
The Government of South Sudan and the Japan International Cooperation Agency signed a six-year agreement reported as worth US$6 million to support development of the national government broadcaster.
Other
Sources
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