Broadcasting22.01.2025

Sport and movies rule on DStv over Christmas

MultiChoice says DStv subscriber viewing habits this past December remained consistent with previous years, with general entertainment, sports, movies, and kids content getting a boost.

MyBroadband asked the pay-TV broadcaster whether it had noted any interesting viewer trends over the holiday period, and a spokesperson said that movies saw a significant spike.

In particular, there was a surge in viewership on international movies, with a skew towards kids an action comedy films.

“This is consistent with year-over-year trends,” MultiChoice said.

Local telenovelas on group-owned channels like Mzansi Magic and kykNET also remained a top choice during the festive season.

Sport viewership also got a boost during December, thanks to key events.

These included the Betway Premiership, Vodacom URC, Rugby 7s, Proteas matches against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, and Philly’s Games, which catered to local football fans during Christmas.

MultiChoice also recently said it had seen good uptake of its discounted DStv Stream Premium 12-month contract, which is the cheapest way to get the company’s most sought-after product.

The pay-TV operator attributed the package’s good performance to its award-winning content, live sports line-up, and flexibility.

Although DStv has supported live Internet-based streaming for its satellite subscribers for over a decade, it first started offering streaming-only packages in 2020.

In September 2024, MultiChoice launched a R699 per month offer for subscribers who take up a 12-month contract.

The offer rolled out alongside an update to the DStv Stream app promising an enhanced user experience.

The update changed Live TV rows to play channels as users browsed, letting them preview content directly from the home page and start watching a live stream immediately.

MultiChoice continued its improvements on DStv Stream with an updated user interface and new features in November 2024.

These included an enhanced Watch from Start, allowing users to rewind up to 24 hours on select channels, and Cloud PVR, enabling them to save live shows for later viewing.   

Coupled with growing broadband penetration in South Africa, these updates have made the product a more attractive and affordable alternative to using DStv satellite.

Broadband pricing, speeds, and availability have improved significantly in South Africa in recent years.

That makes it easier for DStv customers to ditch the decoder and dish completely and consume all their content via the Internet.

Both MultiChoice’s streaming platforms, Showmax and DStv Stream, have recorded strong growth over the last year.

Showmax, which positions MultiChoice to participate in the streaming revolution, reported 50% year-on-year growth in its paying customer base.

This growth is expected to accelerate over the next year as many of its strategic initiatives start to bear fruit.

It includes an enhanced content line-up, bedding down distribution partnerships, expanding payment channel integrations, and refining its go-to-market strategy.

MultiChoice is also continuing to invest heavily in Showmax to establish it as the leading streaming platform in Africa.

It said Showmax Originals continued to excel, engaging viewers and earning local and international accolades.

Showmax local content received over 118 South African Film and Television Awards nominations, the most of any streaming platform.

It also added the current Premier Soccer League season in South Africa to the Premier League mobile-only Showmax product for free in September 2024.

The DStv Stream and Extra Stream base was down 2% year-on-year on a combined basis, given the elevated base in 1H FY24 due to the Rugby World Cup.

However, user activity was supported by a 95% increase in combined revenues in 1H FY25 through rebranding and upgrades to the DStv Stream user experience.

DStv Internet, closely linked to DStv’s streaming services, has also enjoyed significant growth over the last year, increasing by 85%.

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