BMA has learnt that South Africa’s Telkom is gearing up to take on MultiChoice’s DStv with a new video streaming offering. The telecom plans to launch a “content mall” where customers can subscribe to popular streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ at a bundled price, which is expected to be cheaper than subscribing to each service individually.
Telkom’s approach involves creating a platform for customers to access multiple streaming services in one place rather than directly investing in content production. This move comes after the company’s previous attempts to launch its own satellite TV and streaming services failed.
While MultiChoice has also explored the idea of aggregating streaming services through its DStv platform, its efforts have not fully materialized.
The industry trend towards bundled streaming services reflects a shift in consumer behaviour, with many subscribers looking to consolidate their streaming subscriptions as costs continue to rise across various platforms.
Overall, Telkom’s new strategy presents an interesting alternative to traditional pay-TV services and standalone streaming platforms, reflecting the evolving landscape of the streaming industry.