Welcome
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) is the national broadcaster responsible for bringing news, entertainment, education and information to Zimbabweans in Zimbabwe and beyond.
The ZBC operates six radio stations and one television station, providing a mix of news, current affairs, educational programming and music, in English, Shona and Ndebele with National FM covering all the 16 languages in the Constitution of Zimbabwe.
Local radio stations run hourly news bulletins which range from two minutes to the longest being a ten-minute bulletin on weekends and holidays.
ZBC Over The Years
2002: Transition from Radio 2 to Radio Zimbabwe
Radio Zimbabwe came to being in 2002 as a successor to Radio 2. This was after a restructuring exercise at ZBC. The then Radio 2, now Radio Zimbabwe was the leading radio station in terms of listenership, production of quality programme and revenue of generation. One would wonder as to what made and
2002: Transition from 3 FM to Power FM
Under the umbrella of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, Power FM is a 24 hour music channel that came about in 2002 after relocating to Gweru as 3 FM which was also a brand from the then Radio 3.
2001: Transition From Radio 4 to National FM
National FM began as Radio 4, the then educational channel of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation. Its mandate then was to produce and broadcast formal and non formal educational programmes. The then Radio 4 relied on Central Government subsidies, working very closely with the Ministry of Education`s Audio Visual Services. Under the Broadcasting Services Act (2001)
2001: Transition From Radio One to SFM
The station has gone through several changes in its evolution to be what is known as SFM. Born out of the old Radio One, which itself was launched at the advent of Zimbabwe’s Independence in 1980, the station was designed to cater for the white community in urban and farming arears up until circa year 2000 when fundamental changes swept across the broadcasting landscape. Following the changes alluded to earlier, the then Radio One was transformed firstly into an all sports radio station in the process changing its name to Sport FM. More changes were to follow and the station was again rebranded to Spot FM this time as a 24 hour talk station headquartered at Montrose Studios in Bulawayo. Subsequently, the station became known as simply SFM and moved its headquarters back to Pockets Hill in Harare
1994: New Building Commissioned at Pockets Hill
1994: The broadcasting Centre at Pockets Hill was opened in 1970. While the new building was commissioned by His Excellency the President, Cde Robert Mugabe in 1994
1986: Second TV Channel
1986: A second television channel was launched in 1986 during the historic NAM conference held in Harare.
1980: More Radio Stations
April 1980 Just after independence, broadcasting radio stations increased from two to four.
April 1980: Formation of ZBC
At Independence, April 18 1980, Rhodesia Broadcasting Corporation became the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC). As a parastatal the corporation operated under an act of parliament, the Broadcasting Act, Chapter 245. Currently, ZBC’s operations are mainly governed by the Broadcasting Services Act (Chapter 12:06), which came into effect in 2001.
About Us
The Corporation was established in terms of Section 3 of the Broadcasting Act; Chapter 12:01, which provides that “there shall be a body corporate to be known as the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation, capable of suing or being sued in its corporate name and perform all such acts as a body corporate may, by law, perform.”
According to the Broadcasting Act, the functions of the Corporation are:-
(a) to carry out broadcasting services for the information, education and entertainment of listeners and viewers in Zimbabwe; and
(b) to carry out, in accordance with conditions specified by the Minister, if he so requires, broadcasting services for reception by listeners outside Zimbabwe; and
(c) to provide or, subject to section twenty-eight, permit others to provide diffusion services; and
(d) to carry out or operate such undertakings as, in the opinion of the Board, are incidental or conducive to the exercise of one or more of the functions specified in paragraphs (a) to (c) as the Board may consider expedient.
The name of the Corporation
The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (Commercialization) Act No.26 of 2001, provided for the split of the Corporation into two separate companies, namely, a broadcasting company, [Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (Pvt) Ltd] and a digital convergence signal carrier. [Transmedia Corporation (Pvt) Ltd].
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings (Pvt) Ltd. was duly registered as a company on 13 June 2003, operating eight subsidiary companies.
In terms of Section 4(2) of the Commercialization Act, the objects of the company are;
a. To provide broadcasting services.
b. To provide video and audio production services.
c. To provide integrated datacasting, roadcasting and webcasting services across the country.
d. To provide online multimedia news and programme services and;
e. To perform any other function set out in its memorandum of association.
Section 4(3) further provides that in the performance of their functions, the companies shall give priority to the needs of the state, to the extent that it is compatible with sound business practice to do so.
VISION
A leading Zimbabwean voice promoting Pan-African values locally and globally
MISSION
Produce high quality content that is innovative and commercially viable and projects the national voice in a Pan African perspective.
VALUES
Ubuntu
Competitiveness
Innovation
Creativity
Stakeholder satisfaction
Quality
Professionalism
Accountability
Services
Marketing
Licensing
Listener’s licenses can be obtained from ZBC selling points, ZBC License Inspectors and all Zimpost branches nation wide.
| Location | Type | Radio | TV | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rural | Home | X | $10 | |
| Rural | Business | X | $10 | |
| Rural / Urban | Company Car | X | $80 | |
| Rural / Urban | Private Car | X | $30 | |
| Urban | Business | X | $50 | |
| Urban | Home | X | $20 | |
| Urban | Home | X | X | $50 |
| Urban | Business | X | $100 | |
| Urban | Home | X | X | $100 |
Listener’s licenses can be obtained from ZBC selling points, ZBC License Inspectors and all Zimpost branches.
| Province | Selling Point | Address | Telephone / Cell No |
|---|---|---|---|
| Harare | Broadcasting Centre | Pockets Hill, 1 Northend Rd, Highlands, Harare | (04) 498643 / 498617 |
| Harare | Radio Zimbabwe Mbare Studios | Remembrance Drive, Mbare | (04) 774488 |
| Bulawayo | ZBC Montrose Studios | Montrose, Bulawayo | (09) 471811 |
| Bulawayo | Bulawayo Revenue Hall | Bulawayo CBD | |
| Midlands | ZBC Licensing Office Gweru | 43 – 5th Street, Gweru | (054) 223908 |
| Manicaland | ZBC Licencing Office Mutare | 4th Floor, Victory House, Aerodrome Rd, Mutare | (020) 69034 |
| Masvingo | ZBC Licencing Office Masvingo | 3rd Floor, Zesa Building, 283 R. Mugabe Way Masvingo | (039) 262519 |
| Mashonaland West | ZBC Licencing Office Chinhoyi | 17 Greens Building, Magamba Way, Chinhoyi | (067) 28916 |
| Harare | ZBC Licencing Office Chitungwiza | Chitungwiza Magistrate Court, Room 137, Makoni, Chitungwiza | 0712 370 181 |
| Mashonaland East | ZBC Licencing Office Marondera | New Government Complex, 2nd Floor, Room 203, Marondera | 0773 061 384 |
| Mashonaland Central | ZBC Licencing Office Bindura | 1st Street, Kalmic House, Bindura | 0772 641 440 |
Why do I need a listener's or viewer's licence?
To enable ZBC to fulfill its mandate as a public Broadcaster, in terms of the Broadcasting Services Act (Chapter 12:06)
Who should have a listener's licence?
The Broadcasting (Listener’s Licences) Regulations 2003 through Statutory Instrument 245 of 2003 states that one is licensed to possess either or both of the following:
(a) One or more receivers – sound
(b) One or more receivers – television
What are the various types of listener's licences?
Currently there are seven types:
- Listener’s Licence – Rural home
- Listener’s Licence – Urban home
- Listener’s Licence – Radio and Television
- Listener’s Licence – Company: Office radio
- Listener’s Licence – Company: Television
- Listener’s Licence – Company: Car radio
- Listener’s Licence – Personal: Car radio
When is a licence payable and for how long is it valid?
A listener’s licence is valid for one calendar year and is payable from the 1st of January of each year or immediately before purchase of a gadget (radio or television).
What is required on renewal of a licence?
Your previous licence.
What happens if I do not renew my licence?
ZBC licence inspector have a mandate to visit homes and institutions checking for licences once every year and also check on motor vehicle radio licences. If found without a valid listener’s licence you are liable to prosecution.
How many licences do I need in my home which has more than one receiver sets?
A single domestic television license is required to cover both television and radio sets provided all sets so licensed are used only at the licence holder’s residential premises. All sets so licensed are used only by members of one family.
Who are regarded of members of the family
All persons who are resident with the licence holder and are related to the licence holder by blood or marriage.
Are domestic employees, living in the staff quarters, covered by the house owner's licence?
No, they need a separate licence
Are tenants, living in the cottage within one's premises covered by the landlord's licence?
No, they need a separate licence
Is a tenants, occupying a room in the main house covered by the landlord's licence?
No, they need a separate licence
Does my urban home's licence cover the rural home or other homes that I own?
No, a separate licence is required for each additional residential premise.
Does my urban home's licence cover the radio in my vehicle?
No, a separate licence is required for the motor vehicle radio.
How many licences do I need if I have more than one vehicle?
Each vehicle fitted with a radio set must have its own radio licence.
If the radio in the car can not receive a ZBC signal do i require a licence?
Yes, a licence is required as long as the receiver is designed for the reception of a broadcasting service.
What happens if I am found without a valid listener's licence?
The inspector will issue a notice requiring you to produce a valid licence at your nearest police station within seven day.
What happens after the expiry of seven days if I fail to comply with the noticed issued?
Prosecution procedures will be instituted.
Are some persons or entities exempted from buying listener's licenses?
Yes, only accredited diplomats to Zimbabwe and the blind or aged and indigent who can prove that they are on social welfare support.
Do I need a TV licence if my set is only used to view videos?
As long as one has TV receiving equipment in one’s possession, a licence is payable regardless of what it is being used for
When is a listener's licence no longer required?
When one disposes of either a radio or TV by selling or giving it away a a gift, one has to notify ZBC in writing within seven days indicating the new owner and the physical address where it will be ordinarily kept
Is a listener's licence required for a receiver on a business premises?
Yes, and each receiver is licensed separately.
Who pays the licence fee for a rented TV set?
The person who hires the TV set pays the licence fee.
If I sell my radio and television should I hand over the licence to the buyer or new owner?
No, a listener’s licence is not transferable, one need’s one’s own listener’s licence except where a husband or wife passes on.
Is there a way of assisting those who want to buy many licences but do not have time to stand in a queue?
For bulk purchases, viewers or listener’s may contact licencing office nearest to him or her for assistance.
Projects
Digital TV Coverage
- Urban
- Rural
- Urban
- Rural
Active Devices in 2017: Analog vs Digital
- Analog
- Digital
- Analog
- Digital
Contact Us
1 Northend Road, Pockets Hill, Highlands, Harare
news@zbc.co.zw
+263 4 498605 / +263 4 498644
Other Office Contacts
Mbare Studios is home to Zimbabwe’s most popular radio station, Radio Zimbabwe. ZBC Radio Zimbabwe is the most popular radio station in the country with an audience of approximately 2 million listeners. Radio Zimbabwe has the widest coverage, covering almost 100% of both rural and urban settlements in Zimbabwe.
Also broadcasting from Mbare studios is National FM, which also enjoys the widest network covering in all rural and urban communities in and around Zimbabwe. National FM covers all 16 languages that are included in the Constitution of Zimbabwe .
Radio Zimbabwe Mbare Studios, Remembrance Drive, Mbare, Harare
news@zbc.co.zw
+263 4 774488
For radio and television Licensing and more information about ZBC visit the office during week days from 08.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs. You can also get in touch with our Bureau Chief at the office.
43 – 5th Street, Gweru
news@zbc.co.zw
+263 54 223908
For radio and television Licensing and more information about ZBC visit the office during week days from 08.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs. You can also get in touch with our Bureau Chief at the office.
ZBC Montrose Studios, Bulawayo
news@zbc.co.zw
+263 9 471811
For radio and television Licensing and more information about ZBC visit the office during week days from 08.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs. You can also get in touch with our Bureau Chief at the office.
3rd Floor, Zesa Building, 283 R. Mugabe Way Masvingo
news@zbc.co.zw
+263 39 262519
For radio and television Licensing and more information about ZBC visit the office during week days from 08.00 hrs to 17.00 hrs. You can also get in touch with our Bureau Chief at the office.
4th Floor, Victory House, Aerodrome Rd, Mutare
news@zbc.co.zw
+263 20 69034