This archive report was first published on 22 November 2019.
Breaking Down Barriers to SVoD in Africa ¶
November 22, 2019
Subscription video on demand (SVoD) services have struggled to gain traction in Africa due to several factors, including the lack of affordable and widely available uncapped broadband, limited online transaction capabilities, and the prevalence of smartphones and tablets as the primary window to the internet.
However, Showmax, a leading SVoD service in Africa, is set to change this with the launch of a new mobile-only plan, designed specifically for consumers who only use smartphones and tablets to watch video content.
The new plan, which costs 50% less than the standard Showmax package, features 100% of the same video content, including hit African content, first and exclusive international series, the best kids' shows, and live sport, including weekly matches from the English Premier League, Italy's Serie A, and Spain's La Liga.
Speaking about the launch of the new mobile plan, Niclas Ekdahl, CEO of the Connected Video division of MultiChoice, said: 'This is all about an African service developing a solution that meets the needs of African consumers. Customer feedback consistently points to local content and sport as some of the things that people value most from Showmax.'
The mobile plan is currently available in Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa, and Showmax is planning to launch similar offers in other African countries soon.
Key features of the mobile plan include:
- Standard definition video resolution to help reduce data consumption
- One concurrent stream included in the plan
- 14-day free trial and ability to cancel anytime
Both the standard and mobile plans include live sport, sport magazine shows, and sport documentaries. Showmax has already streamed live sports, including the 2019 Rugby World Cup Final, and plans to live-stream several football matches in November, including Levante vs Mallorca, Arsenal vs Southampton, and Chelsea vs West Ham United.
