Netflix, economy weigh on DStv
But MultiChoice reports growth in African market as local subscriptions dwindle
MultiChoice, the soon-to-be-listed pay-TV subsidiary of Naspers, continues to bleed premium subscribers in SA as competition from international online streaming services such as Netflix and Amazon Prime hots up and a weak domestic economy weighs on consumers. South Africans are "feeling the pinch", Naspers CEO Bob van Dijk told Business Times. Many people have had to make "hard decisions" to scale back lifestyle spending on services such as DStv. In its results announcement for the six months ended September 30, Naspers cited tough macroeconomic conditions in the country for the continued loss of subscribers, although it reported growth in other African markets. At more than R900 a month, MultiChoice's DStv Premium offering has had the biggest decline in users. In 2018, DStv’s Premium package is R809. Add-ons like an access fee for PVR users costs R90 and decoder insurance costs R35. These amounts tend to be revised annually. Customers have been fleeing the platform, opting for chea...
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