DStv’s approach to competing with Netflix and Disney+

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DStv’s approach to competing with Netflix and Disney+

Here in this post you will see all DStv’s strategy to compete against Netflix and Disney+

The “home of local and sport,” according to MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela, is how the company is presenting its offerings to compete in the streaming market.

At the annual gathering of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mawela chatted with Fifi Peters of CNBC Africa.

Netflix, Disney+, and Apple TV+ are just a few of the streaming services that MultiChoice must contend with.

 

The competition in the streaming business is expected to increase this year as Amazon is expected to launch its marketplace and Amazon Prime membership program in South Africa.

Mawela stated that the technology is disrupting the growth of streaming services in South Africa.

People are switching from pricey DStv satellite subscriptions to less priced streaming options.

“Once technology disrupts you, you have to adapt. You will eventually suffer if you don’t adapt to technological progress, he warned.

MultiChoice’s answer to Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime is Showmax, which Mawela said improved significantly over the last few years.

“Showmax has improved a lot. It is more user-friendly, and the look and feel is much better,” he said.

The amount of unique content produced for Showmax has also increased significantly over the years.

 

Reyka, a show nominated for an Emmy, is one example Mawela cited as evidence that MultiChoice can compete internationally.

He claimed that “Reyka and My Kitchen Rules demonstrate that locally created shows have an international following.”

“For us, creating local content is essential to our business. People enjoy watching their own tales and self on television.

It also aids in reducing our exposure to currency risk. Producing material in local currencies allows us to profit immediately from currency depreciation, which happens frequently in Africa.

The MultiChoice CEO said their unique selling point, which sets them apart from their competitors, is local content and sport.

“We are positioning ourselves as the home of local and the home of sport in the streaming wars that we are facing,” Mawela said.

The increased investment in local content and sport has helped to increase paying ShowMax subscribers by 50% over the last year.

Mawela is upbeat about their streaming prospects, saying they continue to see strong uptake of their streaming products.

“Competition is good for us. It keeps us on our toes, makes us more efficient, and makes us more creative,” he said.

“We embrace competition and believe we remain well positioned to be the leading platform in Africa.”

People are dumping their expensive satellite DStv subscriptions for more affordable streaming alternatives.

“Once you are disrupted by technology, you must follow suit. If you stay and don’t move with technological changes, you are going to suffer in the end,” he said.

MultiChoice’s answer to Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime is Showmax, which Mawela said improved significantly over the last few years.

“Showmax has improved a lot. It is more user-friendly, and the look and feel is much better,” he said.

The amount of unique content produced for Showmax has also increased significantly over the years.

 

Mawela said shows like Reyka, which received an Emmy nomination, indicate that MultiChoice can compete globally.

“Reyka and My Kitchen Rules show that locally produced shows have international appeal,” he said.

“For us, producing local content is a business imperative. People love to watch themselves and their stories on television.

“It also helps us to limit our exposure to foreign currency risk. In Africa, we often experience currency depreciation, and we can get an immediate return by producing content in local currencies.”

The MultiChoice CEO said their unique selling point, which sets them apart from their competitors, is local content and sport.

“We are positioning ourselves as the home of local and the home of sport in the streaming wars that we are facing,” Mawela said.

The increased investment in local content and sport has helped to increase paying ShowMax subscribers by 50% over the last year.

Mawela is upbeat about their streaming prospects, saying they continue to see strong uptake of their streaming products.

“Competition is good for us. It keeps us on our toes, makes us more efficient, and makes us more creative,” he said.

“We embrace competition and believe we remain well positioned to be the leading platform in Africa.”