Broadcasting23.05.2016

DStv versus Netflix

By Staff Writer

Online streaming services like Netflix and ShowMax are enjoying strong growth in South Africa, but they are far behind MultiChoice’s DStv subscriber numbers.

MultiChoice’s SuperSport service is one of the reasons for the success of DStv, but it is not the only differentiator.

MultiChoice said DStv and over-the-top services like Netflix and ShowMax offer different approaches to video entertainment.

“For sheer breadth of content, live sports, and the latest shows and movies, DStv delivers something no other service can in South Africa,” said MultiChoice.

Marathon viewing, the company said, is a developing trend across the globe – with people watching entire seasons of TV shows back-to-back.

“Services like ShowMax and Netflix cater to this by making the full history of hundreds of series available in one place.”

How MultiChoice ensures people stay with DStv

MultiChoice said it focusses on innovation of its products and services to cater for different viewing preferences.

“We’ve been expanding our on-demand offering to customers, which offers video-on-demand services on a number of platforms,” said MultiChoice.

“We hold extensive content deals with a number of international suppliers, which enables us to deliver exclusive international entertainment first to our customers, across multiple platforms.”

MultiChoice also offers a number of shows Express from the US, aired within hours of the US broadcast time.

The DStv Catch Up service offers Premium, Extra, and Compact customers the ability to catch up on their favourite shows whenever it suits them.

“The Catch Up catalogue on the DStv Explora offers the latest shows and sports highlights,” it said.

With the ability to connect the Explora to the Internet, DStv customers can also access an extensive content library on DStv Catch Up.

DStv Premium customers can access Catch Up content via the DStv Now app on smartphones and tablets, too.