Salaams Ashraf
Your Comprehensive Video Podcast Strategy
This comprehensive strategy leverages your 25+ years of broadcast experience, extensive network, and Champion South Africa brand philosophy to establish a premium video podcast on YouTube. The South African podcast market is experiencing significant growth, with audiences projected to reach 4.8 million listeners by 2027.
While edgy, controversy-driven formats currently dominate, there exists a substantial opportunity for credible, interview-driven content that elevates South African voices and nation-building narratives.
Champion Conversations positions you as the premier destination for long-form conversations with South African champions across business, politics, sports, and culture.
South African Video Podcast Landscape
Current Listeners
3.2 million
2027 Projection
4.8 million
50% increase
66% listen 1+ hour weekly (vs 41% global average)
Primary Audience
18-34 years
61% of listeners
On-demand content consumption
Edgy, controversy-driven
200,000+ per episode
Intellectual, analytical
Focus: Youth politics & current affairs
Focus: Personal development
Focus: Investigative storytelling
Premium, credible, interview-driven content focused on nation-builders - no current leader in this space
Three strategic options ranked by potential
Deep conversations with the people building South Africa's future
Long-form interviews with South African achievers, thought leaders, and nation-builders across business, politics, sports, and culture. Focus on solutions and possibility rather than problems and cynicism.
Format
One-on-one interviews (occasional two-guest dialogues)
Episode Length
60-90 minutes
Upload Frequency
Weekly (Thursday 5pm SAST)
Aspirational South Africans aged 25-45, professionally ambitious, civically engaged
Directly embodies 'Champion People Build Champion Nations' philosophy by amplifying stories of nation-builders
Immediate (0-6mo)
R15,000-R30,000 per episode sponsorships, 2-3 speaking engagements quarterly (R25K-R50K each)
Medium-term (6-18mo)
R50,000-R100,000 per episode, YouTube ads (R5K-R15K monthly), consulting (R50K-R150K monthly)
Long-term (18mo+)
Premium memberships (R50K-R200K monthly), live events (R1M-R3M annually), content licensing
Making sense of South Africa, one conversation at a time
Deep-dive analysis of the week's most important stories through extended interviews with newsmakers, experts, and affected parties. Accessible without oversimplification.
Format
Primarily one-on-one, occasional panels
Episode Length
45-60 minutes
Upload Frequency
Weekly (Monday 6am SAST)
Informed South Africans aged 30-55 following current affairs, including your SAfm audience
Success strategies from South Africa's highest achievers
Tactical, how-to approach extracting specific strategies, habits, and decisions that enabled champions to succeed. Democratizing excellence through actionable insights.
Format
One-on-one with highly structured questioning
Episode Length
50-70 minutes
Upload Frequency
Bi-weekly (every other Tuesday 6pm SAST)
Ambitious South Africans aged 22-40 building careers, businesses, or skills
Platform-specific tactics for maximum reach
31% on YouTube (vs 21% Spotify, 12% Apple)
of podcast listeners use YouTube
2.53 billion
monthly active users globally
70 billion daily
daily Shorts views
Full Episodes
Every Thursday at 5pm SAST (60-90 minutes)
Shorts
2-3 times per week (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday)
Behind the Scenes
Monthly (last Friday)
Rename files before upload with keywords
Use 1-3 keywords in titles, descriptions, thumbnails, tags
Tools: Google Keyword Planner for research
Upload full transcripts - YouTube indexes every word
✓ Dramatically improves SEO and accessibility
[Guest Name]: [Compelling Quote/Topic] | Champion Conversations
Week-by-week action plan
High-profile, charismatic with existing audience; entrepreneurship has broad appeal; strong social media amplification
National icon with universal appeal; sports + leadership attracts diverse demographics
Young female tech leader addresses diversity; attracts digitally-native audience
Political content attracts engaged citizens; post-DA journey is compelling; demonstrates substantive discourse
Celebrity appeal attracts broader, younger audience; business angle maintains credibility
Corporate leadership perspective; Discovery's shared value aligns with Champion SA; attracts professionals
Internationally recognized; powerful story of overcoming adversity; addresses important social issues
Respected business elder; education focus (NSFAS) aligns with nation-building
Cultural perspective; young, vibrant energy; international success; attracts creative audiences
Respected for integrity; reflective on state capture era; demonstrates access to serious political figures
Equipment, team, and workflow
Professional Setup
R200,000-R250,000 (professional setup)
Budget Option
R80,000-R100,000 (two-camera, simplified lighting)
Sony A7 IV or similar
R35,000-R45,000 each
Camera Angles:
2x Shure SM7B (R7,000 each) - broadcast standard
Industry standard for podcasting
Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 (R4,000)
2x Audio-Technica ATH-M50x (R2,500 each)
Key Lights: 2x Aputure 300d II LED (R15,000 each)
Fill Lights: 2x Aputure 120d II LED (R8,000 each)
Back Lights: 2x LED panels (R3,000 each)
Mac Studio or custom PC (R40,000-R60,000)
Powerful processor, 32GB+ RAM, dedicated graphics
Software: Adobe Premiere Pro (R680/month) or DaVinci Resolve Studio (R5,000)
15-20 square meters minimum
Revenue projections and pathways
Months 1-6
R50,000-R100,000
Months 6-12
R150,000-R300,000
Months 12-18
R300,000-R600,000
18+ Months
R500,000-R1,500,000+
2-3 per quarter
Combination of broadcast credibility, interviewing skill, high-profile network, and Champion SA brand creates differentiation newer creators cannot replicate
SA podcast market growing rapidly but lacks premium, credible, interview-driven nation-building content - optimal entry timing
Distribution across YouTube, audio platforms, and social media maximizes discoverability
Broadcast-quality production distinguishes from amateur podcasts, justifies premium positioning
Regular weekly episodes build audience habits and algorithm favor for compounding growth
Mitigation:
Build 8-10 week guest pipeline; record multiple episodes in productive periods; offer flexible recording options
Mitigation:
Focus on quality; leverage existing platforms for initial traffic; invest in paid promotion for first episodes; be patient
Mitigation:
Secure founding sponsor; start with scaled-down production; treat initial period as investment
Mitigation:
Introduce format variations; continuously refine technique; ensure diverse guest selection; periodically refresh visuals
Mitigation:
Thorough guest vetting; clear editorial guidelines; maintain editorial control; position as exploring diverse perspectives
Immediate actions to launch
subscribers
2,000-5,000
avg Views Per Episode
5,000-10,000
watch Time
40-50% average view duration
sponsorship
At least one confirmed sponsor
media Coverage
Features in 3-5 publications
speaking Engagements
1-2 booked engagements