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Multichoice in serious trouble as customers are dumping DStv in droves..

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4 months ago

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South Africans are dumping DStv as access to affordable uncapped broadband improves and online streaming services gain popularity.

 

MultiChoice’s annual report for the year ended 31 March 2024 revealed that active DStv subscribers in South Africa declined from 8.0 million to 7.6 million over the last year.

 

Although South Africa only accounted for 48.5% of MultiChoice’s active subscribers, it accounted for 60% of group revenue.

 

 

This means South Africa is a core part of MultiChoice’s operations and is important to ensure its financial sustainability.

 

 

However, the company is struggling to hold on to its subscribers – South Africans are dumping DStv in droves.

 

“Active subscribers declined from 8.0 million to 7.6 million, while the 90-day active base reduced from 9.3 million to 8.6 million,” MultiChoice said.

 

What is particularly concerning is that all segments of MultiChoice’s DStv subscriber base declined.

 

DStv Premium declined by 8% year-on-year.

 

DStv mid-market declined by 9% year-on-year.

 

DStv mass market declined by 1% year-on-year.

 

Simply put, DStv is losing subscribers across the board, and there is no clear way to convince them to return.

 

 

Multichoice, dusted off its book of excuses, including severe economic pressure, consumers’ financial distress, the high cost of living, and elevated interest rates.

 

“The impact of consistent load-shedding creates an environment where customers are reluctant to reconnect,” MultiChoice said.

 

“This translated into an overall drop in viewership, subscriber activity, and subscriber numbers.”

 

However, as MultiChoice should have discovered by now, excuses do not make up for lost subscribers or lower revenue.

 

 

Multichoice’s financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2024 showed that it recorded a R4.1 billion loss and has become technically insolvent.

 

 

The bad news for MultiChoice is that the factors that caused its subscriber decline and dismal financial position are accelerating.

 

The main reason for DStv Premium’s decline over the last eight years was a combination of uncapped fibre and Netflix launching in South Africa.

 

Uncapped fibre was initially only available in richer areas, so DStv Premium was the first segment to decline.

 

As uncapped fibre and wireless alternatives, like Rain, started reaching middle- and lower-income areas, those households also started to dump DStv.

 

 

Companies like Vumatel and Herotel are now accelerating the rollout of affordable fibre services in lower-income communities.

 

It does not take a rocket scientist to predict what will happen to DStv subscriptions in these areas as households get uncapped Internet access.

 

To make matters worse, online streaming is also improving rapidly. Netflix and Amazon Prime are no longer DStv’s main concerns.

 

 

Whether people are looking for sports, movies, TV series, or documentaries, a streaming service serves that need. Many of them are free.

 

MultiChoice saw this problem coming and, in preparation, launched two initiatives – bundled broadband access and a bundled streaming package.

 

However, these initiatives were not as successful as MultiChoice would have hoped. It failed to get the traction it anticipated.

 

 

Multichoice discontinued its DStv Internet fibre products, including bundled offers that combined Premium or Compact subscriptions.

 

MultiChoice told MyBroadband it will “continue to review the DStv Internet offerings as demands shift.”

 

To rub salt into their wounds, Telkom plans to launch a content platform with Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and other streaming services for one fee.

 

Telkom is building a content aggregating platform where users can subscribe to a bundle of streaming services.

 

Telkom Consumer CEO Lunga Siyo said Telkom will provide the data needed for their subscribers to stream the content they subscribe to.

 

As entertainment moved from satellite to Internet streaming, it opened the door for companies like Telkom to compete against MultiChoice.

 

 

Multichoice previously warned that over-the-top (OTT) streaming providers like Netflix and YouTube pose an existential competitive threat to its DStv offering.

 

This scenario is now coming true, and unless MultiChoice can become a big streaming player through

Showmax and DStv Stream, it will face serious challenges.

 

– Daily Investor (South Africa)

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Fathia Balogun In Gay Mood as son graduates with first class from UNILAG

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6 days ago

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January 15, 2025

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Nollywood actress Faithia Williams celebrates her son, Khalid Balogun, who graduates with a first-class degree from the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

Taking to Instagram to share the joyous moment, Faithia posted a photo of Khalid along with a heartfelt message expressing her overwhelming joy and gratitude.

The proud mother praised her son’s dedication and perseverance, attributing his academic success to hard work and resilience. She also offered prayers for his continued achievements, wishing him happiness and fulfillment as he embarks on a new chapter in life.

In her post, Faithia wrote:
“Hmm, I’m short of words… Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah! Alhamdulillah! My darling son, @khalidgram__, I’m overwhelmed with joy and gratitude as I celebrate your incredible achievement! You’ve worked tirelessly and persevered through the challenges, and today, you’ve emerged with a FIRST CLASS DEGREE from the University of Lagos’ Creative Department!

“Alhamdulillah, my heart is bursting with pride and love for you, my darling son! As you embark on this new journey, I ask that you continue to be guided by faith, courage, and determination.”

Faithia’s heartfelt post not only highlights her son’s academic excellence but also reflects her unwavering support as a mother.

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Seun Oloketuyi Appointed as Member of the Advisory Board for Kaduna International Film Festival

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6 days ago

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January 14, 2025

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I am pleased to announce my appointment as a member of the advisory board for the Kaduna International Film Festival. This honor is a recognition of my contributions to the growth and development of Nollywood and the African creative industry at large.

 

The Kaduna International Film Festival, established in 2018, has been a beacon of cultural promotion, tourism, youth empowerment, and peace-building in northern Nigeria. As the first international film festival in the region, it continues to bridge the gap in the northern film and creative industry, fostering inclusion and growth across the nation.

 

I am committed to leveraging my experience and expertise to further the festival’s mission of celebrating Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and empowering young creatives. This opportunity serves as a platform to support the festival’s efforts in strengthening the film industry, both in Nigeria and beyond.

 

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the leadership of the Kaduna International Film Festival for entrusting me with this role. Together, we will continue to elevate the creative industry and showcase the best of Nigerian talent to the world.

 

Signed:

Seun Oloketuyi

Founder Best of Nollywood Awards Chairman Advisory board Bon Awards and Advisory Board Member,

Kaduna International Film Festival

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‘Prison not pleasant,’ Bobrisky begs Burna Boy to pardon Speed Darlington

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7 days ago

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January 13, 2025

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Controversial crossdresser Okuneye Idris, popularly known as Bobrisky, has appealed to Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy to forgive fellow entertainer Darlington Okoye, also known as Speed Darlington, and to facilitate his release from prison.

In a series of posts on his Instagram story on Sunday, Bobrisky expressed concern about Speed Darlington’s welfare, urging Burna Boy to forgive him and arguing that 45 days in prison should suffice as punishment.

Bobrisky wrote, “I just want to mind my business this year and stay away from anything involving Nigerian celebrities, but my soft heart won’t stop me from thinking about many things.

“Please, Burna Boy, forgive Speed. Prison is not a nice place. I don’t think he has the money for the VIP section because it’s expensive.

“None of these people I’m using my platform to stand for did the same for me when it was my time. But you know what? Our hearts are different. I can’t stand seeing human beings hurt. I pray, Burna, please release him. Forty-five days in prison is enough punishment.”

Bobrisky also criticised fans for enabling Speed Darlington’s controversial behaviour and stressed the need for followers to hold celebrities accountable for their actions.

He added, “Fans, learn how to tell your favourites the truth when they are crossing the line. You all were applauding Speed when he was saying unpleasant things. Now, none of you is in prison with him.”

Speed Darlington was arrested in October 2024 over allegations of defamation and cyberstalking Burna Boy.

The singer was initially arrested in Lagos and transferred to Abuja, where he was detained by the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team in the Guzape area of Abuja.

After being released from police custody, he was re-arrested in November while performing at a show in Owerri, Imo State, just days after returning to the country.

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