According to the latest report published by Digital TV RESEARCH in January 2022, the number of pay-TV subscribers will continue to grow: Africa as a whole is expected to gain 18 million pay-TV subscribers by 2027, reaching a total of 57 million subscribers.
The institute predicts that the number of subscribers will increase by 46% over the period 2021-2027, while pay TV revenues will only increase by 35%, with each subscriber paying less.
As a result, average revenue per subscriber will be around $9.4 in 2027, compared to $10.21 in 2021, and pay TV revenues will reach $6.46 billion in 2027.
Three groups account for 90% of the pay TV market: Multichoice, through its DStv and GOtv offerings, StarTimes, and Canal+.
With 20.8 million subscribers expected in 2027, Multichoice will remain the leader, followed by Startimes (12.6 million subscribers) and CANAL+ (11.2 million subscribers).
Simon Murray, Principal Analyst at Digital TV Research, predicts that few new players are expected to enter the market and that the three existing players will fight for supremacy through a price war.
It should be noted, however, that CANAL+ became the majority shareholder in the Multichoice group
in September 2021, reducing the risk of a price war in terms of both subscription rates and the acquisition of rights (particularly sports rights).
In addition, the development of SVOD offerings, which according to DIGITAL TV RESEARCH will represent 15.1 million paying subscribers in Africa in 2026,
will also impact the evolution of the pay-TV market and subscription rates.
Number of pay-TV subscribers by 2027 DSTV,
(Multichoice Group): 14,600,000
STARTIMES:
12,600,000
CANAL +
(CANAL+ Group) 10,700,000
EASY TV,
(CANAL+ Group) 500,000
GOTV
(Multichoice Group) 6,200,000
OTHERS
6,400,000
Source: DIGITAL TV RESEARCH