Africa to reach 57 million pay TV subs by 2028

About 16 million pay TV subscribers will be added in Africa between 2022 and 2028 to take the total to 57 million, according to the latest report by Digital TV Research.

The research outfit predicts that subscriber numbers will climb by 38% over this period.

Howeber, growth in overall numbers will not be matched by growing in revenue, according to the Digital TV Research. The outfit predicts that pay TV revenues will rise by only 29%, with subscribers paying less. Pay TV revenues are predicted to reach US$6.44 billion by 2028, up from US$4.99 billion on 2022.

Three groups currently account for 89% of Africa’s pay TV subscribers. Digital TV Research predicts that South Africa-based Multichoice, through its DStv and GOtv platforms, will continue to lead, with 21 million subscribers expected by 2028. Second-placed StarTimes/StarSat will see its base grow to 19 million, while primarily Francophone Africa-focused Canal Plus/Easy TV will see its base rise to 11 million.

Simon Murray, Principal Analyst at Digital TV Research, said: “No new major players will start. Instead, these three operators will battle for supremacy – often by cutting prices.”