Africa will have 15.57m SVOD subscriptions by 2028

Africa will have 15.57 million paying SVOD subscriptions by 2028, with Netflix subscribers expected to be 45% of the region’s total, according to a report conducted by Digital TV Research (DTR).

Digital TV Research reported SVOD subscriptions in Africa will be up by 9 million from the 6.15 million at end-2022. Despite fast growth, SVOD penetration rates will remain low, with only 7% of TV households paying for at least one subscription by 2028 –up from 4% at end-2022.

It is expected Disney+ will only have 1.29 million subscriptions by 2028, with roll-out expected to be restricted to Nigeria and South Africa. In comparison, Amazon Prime which launches in Nigeria and South Africa in 2023 is forecasted to bring 3.01 million subscribers by 2028.

Whereas Apple TV+ which launched in only eight African countries in 2019 expects 228,000 paying subs by 2028, while Paramount+ is only likely to launch in South Africa.

Simon Murray, DTR principal analyst said: “Take-up is inhibited by low disposable incomes. Limited fixed broadband penetration also stifles growth, with few mobile operators offering OTT options. Not all global SVOD platforms will start in every African country – restricting choice.”