DStv without a decoder planned for 2020
MultiChoice will soon start testing DStv Now as a standalone service.
The on-demand platform is currently only available as part of a DStv subscription, which requires a connected decoder and satellite dish.
MyBroadband spoke to MultiChoice Connected Video CEO Niclas Ekdahl about the company’s plans to launch a standalone DStv Now offering during the company’s Media Showcase in Sandton.
He said that although the company has been working on a decoder-less product for a while, it is important that the platform is well-optimised before launch.
“I didn’t think the user experience was up to scratch to deliver what the end consumers would expect,” said Ekdahl.
DStv Now has since added several improvements, which include the introduction of user profiles, watchlists, and recommendations.
“I think the stuff that we’ve done on DStv Now in the past 12 months is actually bringing us much closer to saying that ‘Yeah, this is a service where I can stand behind’, and say that this is going to be delivering a seamless user journey for our consumers,” he said.
He also confirmed that the launch of a standalone DStv Now platform is expected before the end of March 2020, after external testing is done.
“We are about to hit field trials, and I think we announced last year that we will be rolling it out within this fiscal year, so that’s still our plan.”
Big growth in OTT services
MultiChoice’s interim results revealed a year-over-year increase of 48% in the monthly active users of its Showmax and DStv Now platforms in Africa.
Ekdahl said he anticipates that these services will continue to perform well.
“I think the OTT services will continue to have a healthy growth going forward,” Ekdahl said.
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