Tag Archives: Pay TV

African TV subs set to rise to 57 million

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The number of pay TV subscriptions in Africa is set to climb from 39 million in 2021 to 57 million by 2027, according to newly released projections from UK analysis firm Digital TV Research.

However, while the number of subscribers is predicted to grow by 46%, the revenues derived from those subscriptions will rise by only 35%, due to the fact Africa’s three dominant pay TV providers – Multichoice, StarTimes and Canal+ – will reduce their prices as they tussle for supremacy in the region.

According to Digital TV Research, pay TV revenues in Africa will climb to US$6.46bn in 2027, up from US$4.78bn in 2021.

By 2027, South African broadcaster and pay TV provider Multichoice will have 20.8 million subscribers across its DStv and GOtv platforms, said the research firm. Meanwhile, Chinese media company StarTimes, which has a significant presence across sub-Saharan Africa, will grow to 18.4 million, and Vivendi-owned French company Canal+ will climb to 11.2 million subs.

“Few new players are expected. Instead, the three protagonists will battle for supremacy – often by cutting prices,” said Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research.

While the pay TV sector in Africa is set to grow significantly over the next five years, data from Digital TV Research indicates that OTT will grow at a much faster rate. A report released last year suggested revenue from movies and TV series on OTT platforms in Africa will reach US$1.7bn by 2026, compared with US$392m in 2020. Around US$1.5bn will come from SVoD platforms, said Digital TV Research.

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MultiChoice Africa cuts DStv fees

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Pay TV operator MultiChoice Africa is set to reduce its DStv subscription fees across East Africa.

The monthly fees paid by DStv subscribers in Kenya, Uganda, Mozambique and Tanzania will fall from September 1.

According to a MultiChoice representative, the reduction in fees will differ between countries due to the different cost structures, which are influenced by local factors such as content costs, inflation, local taxes, foreign exchange rates and overheads.

MultiChoice Kenya said in a statement: “The subscription price reductions are aimed at making entertaining TV viewing accessible to more subscribers in Kenya and grant more customers access to the entire world of exciting channels at a lower fee.”

The broadcaster has not yet revealed if it will be reducing subs in other parts of Africa.

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Delayed TStv Africa ‘back on track’

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Nigerian pay TV operator TStv Africa, which was unveiled in October last year but was put on hiatus, has resumed full operations and will this month start to sell decoders nationwide.

The company said decoder sales will begin on November 28 and the platform will have more than 72 television channels. These include TVC News, BBC World News, TravelXP, A1 Kids and Grande Bolly. Other include AIT, Aljazeera, NTA, CGTN and Wap TV

TStv Africa in a statement said: “Dear Nigerians, we wish to immensely thank you for standing by us all through our trying times and wish to confirm to you that TStv Africa is now stable in operation.

“Sequel to this, nationwide sales of decoder and accessories will effectively commence from 28th November, 2018 with access to over 72 TV channels. Please feel free to walk into any nearby TStv Africa retail outlet to pick up your decoders and accessories. We appreciate you for standing by us.”

As well as channels in the genres of music, news, religion, lifestyle, fashion, health and kids, TStv offers complimentary internet services, video calls and other features 9n a bouquet that is intended to be affordable to Nigerians.

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MultiChoice low-cost subs up

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African pay TV operator MultiChoice has recorded a boost in revenue from lower-cost subscribers while that from its high-end users has declined.

The news was revealed in the year-end financial report from MultiChoice’s parent company Naspers.

The company disclosed that MultiChoice has had a notable subscriber reduction in the past year, losing 41,000 DSTV Premium subscribers, declining from 1.962 million to 1.921 million.

According to the company, however, the lower-end subscribers more than make up for this loss as the mass market continues to grow and stabilise.

Overall, the company saw a 13% increase of DSTV subscribers, which grew from 11.942 million to 13.476 million across Africa. The growth of the mass market may also be due to GOtv, MultiChoice’s DTT service that provides TV services at a lower rate.

DSTV and GOtv are currently among Nigeria’s leading pay TV networks, with a wide range of entertainment and viewing options.

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Kwesé TV partners with 9mobile

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Econet Media-owned African pay TV company Kwesé TV has established a strategic partnership with Nigerian mobile telephone operator 9mobile.

Elizabeth Amkpa

Kwesé has signed a distribution agreement with the telecommunications company ensuring that its customers can purchase Kwesé decoder kits and services at 9mobile stores.

Meanwhile, 9mobile subscribers will get exclusive data bundles to access Kwesé iflix, the VoD joint-venture it formed with Asia-based service iflix.

General manager of Kwesé TV Nigeria Elizabeth Amkpa said of the 9mobile pact: “This partnership extends our distribution network and makes our products accessible to even more Nigerian consumers.

“We are currently operating in select 9mobile Experience Centres in Lagos and we will soon be available in other major cities across the country in partnership with 9mobile.”

Currently, there are six participating 9mobile stores, all of which are situated in Lagos. Locations include The Palms Shopping Mall, Ikeja City Mall, Adeola Odeku Street on Victoria Island, Mushin, Surulere and Festac Town.

Adebisi Idowu, 9mobile’s VP of marketing, also commented: “9mobile is determined to continue meeting the passion point of Nigerians, especially customers on the network, and Kwesé TV offers yet another major platform to do so.”

Kwesé TV has over 70 channels that offer varied entertainment, from lifestyle to news. Since its launch in Nigeria in 2017, it is fast becoming one of the leading pay TV platforms in the country.

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