Here's why MultiChoice is secretive about its DStv streaming and Showmax subscriber numbers

[mylesillidge]

DStv's streaming secret

MultiChoice is talking up the prospects of DStv streaming and Showmax, but ask the company about subscriber numbers, and answers become hard to find.

DStv’s over-the-top (OTT) platforms, which are its answer to competition from Netflix and Disney+, include users on the DStv app and Showmax.

 

[RudderVator]

Noticed 4K video quality selection on the Apple Tv DStv app.

Cannot really say anything looks 4k however…

 

[Paulsie]

More and more TV sets unable to update to the latest version of dstv app, while Netflix and all others apps work, stream in 4K and are flawless.

Need to buy streama apparently.

Dstv is a scam!

 

[Supervan II]

Noticed 4K video quality selection on the Apple Tv DStv app.

Cannot really say anything looks 4k however…

Noticed that you are a sucker

 

[mrsharukh]

It's a real shame that they have now removed support for the Google Chromecast.

The agent advised to remove it to troubleshoot an issue and was not able to install it again. Disappointing.

 

[rvZA]

The year-on-year growth rate for paying Showmax subscribers was a strong 50%, while the overall online user base increased by 13%.

I do not believe any of their figures. They are hiding information. Not a good company to invest in. Not a good company to use. The Seas are free.

 

[backstreetboy]

It's a real shame that they have now removed support for the Google Chromecast.

The agent advised to remove it to troubleshoot an issue and was not able to install it again. Disappointing.

Why? Great time to kick them to the curb.

 

[backstreetboy]

I do not believe any of their figures. They are hiding information. Not a good company to invest in. Not a good company to use. The Seas are free.

The world moved on to streaming 10 years ago already.

 

[rvZA]

The world moved on to streaming 10 years ago already.

Can stream the seas too.... from your own server if you wish.

 

[Speedster]

More and more TV sets unable to update to the latest version of dstv app, while Netflix and all others apps work, stream in 4K and are flawless.

Need to buy streama apparently.

Dstv is a scam!

This "scam" word gets thrown around a lot on myBB of latr

 

[backstreetboy]

Can stream the seas too.... from your own server if you wish.

Eskom says hello.

 

[rvZA]

Eskom says hello.

Why punish yourself. Many server options abroad. All of them have reliable electricity.

 

[backstreetboy]

This "scam" word gets thrown around a lot on myBB of latr

It is scummy at the very least. Those TVs / Boxes are perfectly capable to play DStv. They're just want to push their own terrible streaming box.

 

[rvZA]

It is scummy at the very least. Those TVs / Boxes are perfectly capable to play DStv. They're just want to push their own terrible streaming box.

More money for the business. Bigger monopoly. But, yes, it is scummy.

 

[Speedster]

It is scummy at the very least. Those TVs / Boxes are perfectly capable to play DStv. They're just want to push their own terrible streaming box.

Yup, I fully agree with that. But I reserve the word scam for things like MTI and their ilk. Something overpriced, of poor quality etc etc isn't a scam. It might be a shoddy product, but calling it a scam is a stretch.

 

[backstreetboy]

More money for the business. Bigger monopoly. But, yes, it is scummy.

Not at all people will look for alternatives or just cancel flat out.

 

[RedViking]

Eskom says hello.

Mecer says sleep well.

 

[Paulsie]

This "scam" word gets thrown around a lot on myBB of latr

Yes, you can say NO to their business (which is what I did), but when someone tries to sell you something based on a lie (your TV is too old to run latest dstv app), it's a scam.

Just for clarity - I'm not calling a s am their poor offering and service, I'm talking about blocking older TVs as not compliant (and selling you crappy streamer), while you can run 4K Netflix on the same TV flawlessly.

 

[B-1]

Yes, you can say NO to their business (which is what I did), but when someone tries to sell you something based on a lie (your TV is too old to run latest dstv app), it's a scam.

Just for clarity - I'm not calling a s am their poor offering and service, I'm talking about blocking older TVs as not compliant (and selling you crappy streamer), while you can run 4K Netflix on the same TV flawlessly.

Supporting tv's is one of the most frustrating things out there especially in Africa where all the old tech is dumped. Its so fragmented with OS's and format support its ridiculous. Often it takes a lot of work and money just to support a tiny percentage of customers on a certain tv to the point where those customers are loss makers. The big guys have a lot more customers that can help cover those losses so the app support can be wider.

I don't know what their strategy is but I assume they have taken the cost of maintaining so many devices vs customer losses into account especially in their shrinking market share. Its still a pain as a customer though when Netflix etc works but not the local guys.

 

[Paulsie]

Supporting tv's is one of the most frustrating things out there especially in Africa where all the old tech is dumped. Its so fragmented with OS's and format support its ridiculous. Often it takes a lot of work and money just to support a tiny percentage of customers on a certain tv to the point where those customers are loss makers. The big guys have a lot more customers that can help cover those losses so the app support can be wider.

I don't know what their strategy is but I assume they have taken the cost of maintaining so many devices vs customer losses into account especially in their shrinking market share. Its still a pain as a customer though when Netflix etc works but not the local guys.

I have the latest WebOS installed (compliant with dstv requirements). Cannot upload latest dstv app update though. Even when deleting and reinstalling, it downloads the old version.

I'm not a techie, but from where I stand, there's an outside block on the download of the latest version.