In August 2021, Digital TV Research predicted 15.1 million paying subscribers to SVOD services in Africa by 2026. This forecast figure represents a threefold increase on the 5.1 million expected by the end of 2021.
Half of the additional 10 million will come from South Africa and Nigeria, which will each attract 2.3 million additional subscribers.
With such prospects, Disney+ has decided to launch on the continent, taking market share from the established giant Netflix.
South Africa will be the first country to welcome Disney+, followed later in the year by Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. The Walt Disney Company has stated that more details, such as subscription fees for each country, will be shared as the launch date approaches.
The ambition? To launch its services in 42 additional countries and 11 territories in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
According to the same Digital TV Research forecasts, Disney+, which launches in 2022, is expected to reach 2.2 million paying subscribers by 2026, closely followed by Showmax with 2.1 million subscribers and Amazon with 1.9 million subscribers.