MultiChoice rapidly losing DStv Premium subscribers

[Bryn]

What media access devices did you use with your technophobe trials?

I switched family and friends over with Apple TVs, and aside from the initial bump of uncertainty in how to use it; they love the freedom to choose and that it costs substantially less than DSTV Premium. Even the 80s+ are happy.

Btw we did add openview for local content; but that's a once off cost anyway.

The NTV.mx trial needed Kodi, so it was some generic Android box. We do currently have an Apple TV, but we all hate it. That s**tty remote is so awful to use.

 

[JustAsk]

Well even before the "rapid" decline, they still make more money from lower tiers than from premium. The only good thing here is, a declining premium segment may force them to sub-sell those sport rights.

For me it look like it's more the lower tiers that subsidize the rugby/golf/f1.

 

[[)roi(]]

The NTV.mx trial needed Kodi, so it was some generic Android box. We do currently have an Apple TV, but we all hate it. That s**tty remote is so awful to use.

Sure it takes a bit of getting used to; but thereafter you can't beat simplicity with the technophobes + you can always just use the app on an iPhone or iPad. Alternatively is to load one of the many free bluetooth remote apps on android for basic navigation. Or if you have a few of the old Apple TV bluetooth remotes (same ones that used to come with the macs) -- they still work fine, and you can't beat it's simple 7 buttons with technophobes.



I had originally also tried Roku but that wasn't simple enough for the technophobes. Hey anyway who says you all need to use the same devices anyway. Stick the real technophobes on the simplest interface you can find and pick something else for those who want power / flexibility.

 

[Bryn]

Sure it takes a bit of getting used to; but thereafter you can't beat simplicity with the technophobes + you can always just use the app on an iPhone or iPad. Alternatively is to load one of the many free bluetooth remote apps on android for basic navigation. Or if you have a few of the old Apple TV bluetooth remotes (same ones that used to come with the macs) -- they still work fine, and you can't beat it's simple 7 buttons with technophobes.

I had originally also tried Roku but that wasn't simple enough for the technophobes. Hey anyway who says you all need to use the same devices anyway. Stick the real technophobes on the simplest interface you can find and pick something else for those who want power / flexibility.

Nah, we don't really like any aspect of the Apple TV. Going to get the Xiaomi box everyone is raving about rather.

 

[[)roi(]]

Nah, we don't really like any aspect of the Apple TV. Going to get the Xiaomi box everyone is raving about rather.

Sure whatever floats your boat.

 

[crackersa]

I don't think it hurts them yet but if they were to shed another 500k-800k subs rapidly they should start feeling the pinch.I give it another 3 years before we start seeing either the number stabilizing or costs of the package coming down dramatically.

The big problem is there are numerous sports bars, hotels, ect in the commercial sector that will still have a premium package, what really should be done stats wise, breaking it down to commercial and home users. Home users is the one that I would like to keep an eye on, as that is the one that should show most movement.

If only we can get commercial entities to switch over to streaming services.....

Agree


You’ll know when multichoice is feeling it when they start to retrench people

 

[Speedster]

So how many subscribers have they lost? Header says 100 000, article says 40 000.

 

[supersunbird]

So how many subscribers have they lost? Header says 100 000, article says 40 000.

Indeed, seems article was changed. My calcs are not legit now.

 

[Petec]

I don't think it hurts them yet but if they were to shed another 500k-800k subs rapidly they should start feeling the pinch.I give it another 3 years before we start seeing either the number stabilizing or costs of the package coming down dramatically.

The big problem is there are numerous sports bars, hotels, ect in the commercial sector that will still have a premium package, what really should be done stats wise, breaking it down to commercial and home users. Home users is the one that I would like to keep an eye on, as that is the one that should show most movement.

If only we can get commercial entities to switch over to streaming services.....

Wish the hotel's would stream the overseas sports to thier overseas guests and get rid of the local DSTV rubbish.
THAT would definitely be felt by Naspers.

 

[marine1]

Have not had MC for years sometimes watch it at my chicks house, what a load of complete and utter crap for almost a grand a month

 

[ekske1]

MultiChoice rapidly losing DStv Premium subscribers

Naspers has released its financial results for the year ended 31 March 2018, which shows a big decline in MultiChoice’s DStv Premium subscribers.

Over the last year, MultiChoice’s DStv subscribers grew from 11.942 million to 13.476 million – an increase of 13%.

mybroadband killing DStv in South Africa could cost thousands of jobs?

How long before naspers plays that card; one has to wonder how many subs mybb and its users helped to stop :twisted:

 

[wizardofid]

Agree


You’ll know when multichoice is feeling it when they start to retrench people

There in lies the problem, commercial entities isn't going to make sudden changes which would require a change in the way they conduct business as it stands now.The thing is as they start losing more people, exclusivity on sport broadcasting is going to start eating at their bottom line.

I just wish a foreign provider with deep pockets and TV networks behind them, decide the time is right to invade Africa, the money they stand to earn from just one country doesn't make it worth the hoops and the super protective regulations they need to jump through to get the service up and running, besides TV broadcasting as it stands is going to shift a lot, with live streaming likely to take over in the future.So it isn't worth the effort for from some one else to step up, which kinda leaves multichoice free to do as they please.

 

[Sl8er]

The NTV.mx trial needed Kodi, so it was some generic Android box. We do currently have an Apple TV, but we all hate it. That s**tty remote is so awful to use.

What about the ESPN+ service -for online sports?
I speak under correction, but I think they also do all the rugby and cricket.
Not sure about F1, but probably should cover that as well.

 

[crackersa]

What about the ESPN+ service -for online sports?
I speak under correction, but I think they also do all the rugby and cricket.
Not sure about F1, but probably should cover that as well.

They haven’t done the international rugby

 

[Sl8er]

They haven’t done the international rugby

Hmm, you sure?
Could've sworn I saw some of the guys (I think [MENTION=8181]bwana[/MENTION] in particular) talking about the Super Rugby being on ESPN...?
But I'm not 100% sure, so

 

[kianm]

Can never go back to Monochoice’s routine broadcasting, cant beat streaming freedom

 

[Bryn]

What about the ESPN+ service -for online sports?
I speak under correction, but I think they also do all the rugby and cricket.
Not sure about F1, but probably should cover that as well.

Don't care about cricket. The only rugby I watch is sevens. I think the golf, football and tennis coverage is very incomplete, and I don't think F1 is included. If I was going to ditch DStv I'd sooner get an illegal ultra-comprehensive package from one of the dodge sites. The Sky Sports channels are miles better than anything from the US.

 

[Sl8er]

Don't care about cricket. The only rugby I watch is sevens. I think the golf, football and tennis coverage is very incomplete, and I don't think F1 is included. If I was going to ditch DStv I'd sooner get an illegal ultra-comprehensive package from one of the dodge sites. The Sky Sports channels are miles better than anything from the US.

Ah ok, I see.
Out of curiosity, have you checked them out -the ESPN online service?
(I can't remember if you were in the thread about this )

 

[Arthur]

Can never go back to Monochoice’s routine broadcasting, cant beat streaming freedom

Good for you. I'm glad it keeps you satisfied.

I have Netflix and Amazon Video/Prime, but they're largely unused - log in to see what's available maybe once or twice a year. I don't watch movies and fiction on TV, though wife does. For me it's doccies and sport.

I really can't understand some people's hate for DStv. I think they're a great company with outstanding service and value.

And no, I'm not and never have been an employee, shareholder, director, supplier, etc. Neither have any of my family and friends.

I've twice dealt with their management, many years ago. Once when I arranged an Anton Piller order and a SAP raid, and once when I and some associates tried to persuade them to carry a channel (not for gain). The former succeeded, the latter didn't.

 

[Bryn]

Ah ok, I see.
Out of curiosity, have you checked them out -the ESPN online service?
(I can't remember if you were in the thread about this )

Nope - I don't think I was in any such discussion and I haven't used their ESPN+ service. I have watched ESPN channels while I had a month of NTV.mx and I didn't dig them for the most part.

Good for you. I'm glad it keeps you satisfied.

I have Netflix and Amazon Video/Prime, but they're largely unused - log in to see what's available maybe once or twice a year. I don't watch movies and fiction on TV, though wife does. For me it's doccies and sport.

I really can't understand some people's hate for DStv. I think they're a great company with outstanding service and value.

And no, I'm not and never have been an employee, shareholder, director, supplier, etc. Neither have any of my family and friends.

As someone who generally defends DStv, I wouldn't go so far as to say it's great value or that they're a great company. Premium is over £50pm equivalent, and Sky Sports streaming can be had for £35pm. Many people have DStv Premium purely for the sport, myself included. Your family needs to watch a crapton of TV to get great value out of R1000pm. That said, it's not terrible. Supersport is very comprehensive, the pundits are mostly decent and SS throws in major stuff like the Olympics, World Cups and pay-per-view boxing without extra cost.

Netflix has awesome documentaries btw.