ShowMax launch in South Africa: Vidi and MTN respond

Vidi and MTN FrontRow have welcomed the upcoming launch of ShowMax and Netflix in South Africa.

ShowMax is a Netflix-like subscription video on demand (SVOD) service from Naspers, which is set to launch in South Africa on 19 August.

“Just as the launch of competing cellular networks in South Africa grew a bigger pie for everyone as marketing spend increased and customer uptake accelerated, so it will be with the streaming video market,” said Vidi.

MTN SA’s head of sales and marketing Larry Annetts said that consumers will benefit with the introduction of competition, referring to the launch of ShowMax and Netflix in SA

“The launch of the SVOD play by DStv illustrates that the satellite TV market is becoming saturated,” said Annets.

Asked how they would respond to the launch of ShowMax in South Africa, Vidi and MTN both said they are always improving their services.

“We continue to fine-tune our offerings based on insight from customers. We have recently adjusted our offer by reducing our subscription from R179 to R119, in addition we are zero rating FrontRow’s data streaming for MTN subscribers.”

Vidi has made similar changes, offering free ADSL data to subscribers, adding non-recurring options to its pricing structure, and launching a smart TV application for Samsung TVs.

“We wish them well,” Vidi said to ShowMax.

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