Netflix launched in South Africa earlier this year, with a number of commentators heralding it as \u201creal competition\u201d to DStv.<\/p>\n
There is little doubt that the launch of Netflix is set to be a game-changer for the broadcasting world, including the video entertainment industry in South Africa.<\/p>\n
However, predictions of the demise of DStv are more than a little premature, and fail to consider just how poor South Africa\u2019s broadband penetration is.<\/p>\n
It also doesn\u2019t consider just how sports mad South Africans are.<\/p>\n
[Also read:\u00a0The impact of Netflix on MultiChoice and the South African TV market<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n To stream movies and TV shows from Netflix, the service recommends<\/a><\/strong> the following broadband speeds:<\/p>\n Download speeds are also just one part of the broadband equation in South Africa. Your cap is the other.<\/p>\n For South Africans without access to fibre, DSL, or Telkom\u2019s 50GB LTE package<\/strong><\/a>, streaming video is\u00a0prohibitively expensive.<\/p>\n In Netflix\u2019s own words, it is not aimed at less-wealthy market segments that platforms\u00a0such as DStv and StarSat serve well.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are starting by primarily targeting outward\u2010looking, affluent consumers with international credit cards and smartphones,\u201d said Netflix<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n This means that at least in some ways, Netflix is competing for the attention of viewers who can afford DStv Premium, which costs R699 per month (excluding the R80 per month PVR and XtraView Access Fee).<\/p>\n [Also read: Netflix vs DStv – can South Africans cut the cord?<\/a>]<\/strong><\/p>\n Some of these subscribers may be willing to part with M-Net\u2019s \u201cExpress from the US\u201d series such as Game of Thrones, Billions, Suits, Greys Anatomy, Shameless, and Lucifer.<\/p>\n However, DStv Premium also offers something that sports lovers can\u2019t get anywhere else (easily or legally).<\/p>\n For all the complaining South Africans do about DStv, such as the way SuperSport\u2019s channels are distributed among the different packages, few realise just how good they\u2019ve got it.<\/p>\n For example, if you wanted to watch the Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio fight in 2015, viewers in the US were charged $100 to see it on their TVs.<\/p>\n Sky charged \u00a319.95\/\u20ac24.95 to watch the fight through its Sky Sports Box Office platform<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n DStv Premium subscribers were able to watch the fight on SuperSport at no additional cost.<\/p>\n As long as fast, high-usage broadband remains a luxury in South Africa, and premium live sports is excluded from subscription streaming services, Netflix is not much threat to DStv.<\/p>\n However, the arrival of Netflix in South Africa represents the beginning of a major shift in the broadcasting industry.<\/p>\n As the first global TV network, Netflix has said it hopes to one day get rid of the regional content restrictions that frustrate viewers around the world.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have a way to go before we can offer people the same films and TV series everywhere. Over time, we anticipate being able to do so,” said Netflix.<\/p>\n Netflix vs DStv \u2013 can South Africans cut the cord?<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n PayPal cuts support for Netflix unblocker UnoTelly: report<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Netflix versus ShowMax<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Best Netflix-exclusive shows coming to South Africa in 2016<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\nBad broadband buys DStv some more time<\/h3>\n
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DStv Premium vs Netflix<\/h3>\n
SuperSport: The Ace up DStv\u2019s sleeve<\/h3>\n
Children of the Revolution<\/h3>\n
More on Netflix and DStv<\/h3>\n