Multichoice - Afrikan Heroes

MultiChoice SA Expands DStv Internet to Include Uncapped Fibre

October 15, 2022

MultiChoice CEO in South Africa Nyiko Shiburi

Africa’s leading entertainment powerhouse Multichoice has announced that the home of online and television entertainment, DStv, is bringing connectivity to South African homes. DStv Internet via fibre gives customers an uncapped fibre connection, access to more streaming, and more entertainment.

The accessible, high-speed offering is positioned to give consumers peace of mind. DStv Internet via fibre guarantees customers faster, smoother and more stable Internet access. Users can expect enhanced gaming, social media and browsing experiences; all while streaming the best content using the DStv Streama TV box.

The new DStv Streama delivers content from DStv and other streaming services through a reliable Internet connection. Compatible devices are turned into smart TVs, granting users access to a bigger world of entertainment.

In an era of wide-reaching digital services, DStv is streamlining processes, ensuring that customers and their households are connected to the Internet without the admin paying multiple bills. The DStv Internet via fibre package gives customers more of their favourite content, but that’s not the only benefit.

DStv Internet via fibre currently houses two products: one that bundles the DStv Compact bouquet and another that offers the top-end Premium bouquet:

Aggressively priced at R699 for a fixed 24-month period, the first fibre bundle offers 25/10Mbit/s (downlink/uplink) uncapped fibre and router, with a DStv Streama TV box and a DStv Compact subscription.

The second fibre bundle also offers 25/10Mbit/s uncapped fibre and router, including a DStv Streama box and DStv Premium for R999/month on a 24-month contract.

In both instances, consumers who supply their own decoder get satellite TV included at the same price.

According to the Digital Quality of Life Index 2021 (SA in DQL global ranking), South Africa is ranked 68th out of 110 countries, which is the highest ranking in comparison to other African countries. Although many South Africans enjoy access to mobile and broadband with relative stability, there is a long way to go in fully bridging the digital divide.

“The DStv Internet via fibre is our way of giving more to our customers. Their needs have changed far beyond consuming content, they are actively engaging on different platforms to access information and stay in touch with the world. Simplicity is key for us at MultiChoice. If someone has access to a reliable network connection, they can stream content and browse the Internet across multiple platforms at an accessible price,” says MultiChoice South Africa CEO Nyiko Shiburi.

The attainability of DStv Internet via fibre is seen through customers like Zakhele, a 28-year-old retail manager, who shares a house in Cosmo City with three friends.

“There are some things we like to do together like stream a soccer match, while other times I just prefer browsing the ‘Net in my own personal space. Having this uncapped fibre and subscription at one price not only means saving, but that we all get to do what we like,” he said.

New customers can access DStv Internet via fibre by visiting the DStv website and following a simple three-step process.

Order online: Prospective customers can check for fibre coverage in their area, select a fibre deal, and complete their order online. They can also go online and request a call back to get assistance from one of DStv’s friendly specialists.

Delivery and installation: Once the order is complete, DStv technicians will deliver the hardware and book a date for installation.

Connection: Users can enjoy an uncapped Internet connection and endless entertainment with DStv,

Existing customers can log on to their profile and apply by clicking “Add New Product” before selecting the deal to start the application process.

Pay-TV giant DStv is a trusted service provider.

The DStv Internet via fibre deals are made possible through partnership with South Africa’s best Internet providers.

Users ultimately save big when they bundle their DStv package with uncapped internet access.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

How to Stream 2022 FIFA World Cup in 4K

October 12, 2022

Showmax Pro will be broadcasting all 64 matches of the FIFA World Cup in QatarTM live. Better still, the coverage, courtesy of SuperSport, will be streamed in 4K, a first for Africa’s homegrown streaming service.

Reigning world champions France will be defending their title at the FIFA World Cup QatarTM, taking place from 20 November 2022 until the final on 18 December 2022. This is the first time the FIFA World Cup will be hosted in the Arab world. Cameroon, Ghana, Morocco, Senegal and Tunisia will be representing Africa.

“We built Showmax Pro with our football-mad continent in mind,” says Yolisa Phahle, CEO of Connected Video at MultiChoice. “We became the first streaming service in Africa to make mobile downloads possible for offline viewing and created the lowest data streaming option on the continent. Now we are gearing up for the world’s greatest sports spectacle, which deserves to be seen in the best quality possible, so we’re delighted to introduce 4K for the first time during the FIFA World Cup QatarTM. The 4K stream will have up to 50 frames per second (fps), double the standard 25fps we currently offer.”

The ultra-high-definition screen resolution that comes with 4K is 3840 by 2160 pixels. Most 4K devices have around 8 million pixels, meaning every moment of every match will be displayed in brilliant detail.

African viewers can, of course, choose the data streaming option that best suits them: in addition to the new 4K and High Definition (HD) options, there are Low, Data Saving and Max Data Saving modes that use just 300MB, 100MB and 50MB per hour respectively.

There are officially 40 days to go until the FIFA World Cup QatarTM. The Showmax Pro plan allows subscribers to register up to five devices – including smart TVs, media boxes and mobile devices – and stream simultaneously on two devices at the same time. Showmax Pro also offers a mobile-only plan that allows viewers to stream on a single mobile device.

One of the key differences when live streaming sport versus watching a dedicated television channel is how you consume matches. Rather than tuning into a specific channel, on Showmax Pro you can select specific matches and set reminders to watch. If you miss a game, highlights will be available to stream on demand.

We grilled Phahle on the details:

What will be available in 4K?

Phahle: All 64 games of the FIFA World Cup QatarTM. This will also be available in HD.

Will the matches be available in 4K and other resolutions?

Phahle: Yes, the 4K stream itself will go as low as 216p. The HD stream will have standard parameters (216p to 1080p).

What devices will this be available for?

Phahle: Smart TVs, AndroidTV, tvOS, Streama and Explora Ultra. The device itself has to be capable of 4K playback.

How much data will it use?

Phahle: 4K will use around 90MB per minute of streaming.

Does anyone do anything to activate it?

Phahle: There’s no need for any activation. 4K-capable TVs will have it available inside the player as an option.

Is it available everywhere?

Phahle: We are streaming the FIFA World Cup QatarTM across 50 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It will not be available on our diaspora service.

Will 4K be available for the other leagues (such as the English Premier League) or for the Showmax entertainment library?

Phahle: Not yet. We’ll be analysing the impact of 4K usage from the FIFA World Cup QatarTM before confirming any additional rollouts.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

DStv Unlocks 18 SuperSport Channels to All Subscribers in South Africa

September 23, 2021

Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice Group chief executive officer

Africa’s biggest cable television and entertainment company, MultiChoice’s has announced that DStv will open 18 of its sports channels for live streaming on the DStv App and at now.dstv.com as part of the entertainment provider’s Open Window to celebrate the Heritage Day long weekend in South Africa.

The Open Window is set to run from Friday (Heritage Day) until Sunday – 24 September to 27 September 2021. During the Open Window period all DStv subscribers across the service’s many packages, from Access to Premium, will be able to stream 18 different SuperSport and other channels.

These are the following channels that will become available for streaming on the DStv app and website:

SS Blitz (DStv channel 200)

SS PSL (DStv channel 202)

SS Premier League (DStv channel 203)

SS LaLiga (DStv channel 204)

SS Football (DStv channel 205)

SS Variety 1 (DStv channel 206)

SS Variety 2 (DStv channel 207)

SS Variety 3 (DStv channel 208)

SS Variety 4 (DStv channel 209)

SS Action (DStv channel 210)

SS Cricket (DStv channel 212)

SS Golf (DStv channel 213)

SS Tennis (DStv channel 214)

SS Motorsport (DStv channel 215)

WWE (DStv channel 128)

GINX (DStv channel 127)

ESPN 1 (DStv channel 218)

ESPN 2 (DStv channel 219)

“This means that during DStv’s Sport Open Window this Heritage Day weekend, no matter what package you’re subscribed to (from Premium to Access), you’ll be able to catch all the action live from golf’s Ryder Cup as the US takes on Europe,” the announcement reads.

Other big-time events occurring this weekend include the F1 Russian Grand Prix and a highly-anticipated matchup between the Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Tennis fans will also be able to enjoy the Europe vs. The World in the Laver Cup from first serve till final smash.

“Remember – these channels are only available to stream via the DStv App and at now.dstv.com. So no matter where the weekend takes you, you won’t have to miss a live sporting moment.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

MultiChoice Records Subscriber Boom as Earnings Surge

June 14, 2021

Martin Mabutho, the chief commercial officer of MultiChoice Nigeria

Africa’s leading digital and cable broadcasting conglomerate MultiChoice Group reports that it has added 1.4-million 90-day active subscribers to its services between the beginning of 2021 to 31 March. MultiChoice also reports that earnings were exceedingly robust despite the ongoing pandemic. This is partly due to the 7% growth year-on-year of its subscribers.

The Johannesburg-based corporation ended 2020 with 20.9-million subscribers – 43% from South Africa, while a further 57% of subscribers from the rest of the continent.

MultiChoice continued to grow despite challenges stemming from the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, a feat similar to other streaming or broadcasting entertainment services.

Company revenue surged 4% to R53.4-billion ($3.2-billion), with subscription revenues accounting for R44.7-billion ($2.6-billion) of the total. MultiChoice’s board’s primary measure of performance – its core headline earnings – was up by 32% at R3.3-billion ($198.4-million). The feat was managed despite subscription and advertising revenues were “significantly impacted” by COVID-19 and South Africa’s hard lockdown.

Advertising revenues were down 34% year-on-year at the interim stage, according to MultiChoice’s yearly earnings results report. Advertising began to rally in the second half of 2020 with lockdown restrictions laxing and the return of live sport. Advertising made significant recoveries in Q3 and Q4, ending at 11% down at R2.8-billion ($168.3-million).

Commercial subscription revenues started to recover in the latter part of the year as well, finishing at 35% lower than the year prior. Trading profits rose 28% to R10.3-billion ($619.3-million), benefiting from a R1.5-billion ($90.1-million) reduction in losses in the rest of Africa and 9% growth in South Africa, particularly.

MultiChoice managed to grow in spite of the pandemic with renewed revenue growth, cost controls and the embracing of new methods of working influenced by the pandemic’s consequences. Consequences that saw the company’s operating costs reduced.

The growth was further supported by a massive R1.1-billion ($66.1-million) in savings from the lack of sporting events for most of 2020. MultiChoice saved enormous amounts of operating costs for sporting events.

Significant major contributors to revenue growth include:

Renegotiated sports rights

Lower costs for its DStv decoders

Sourcing and procurement savings

The continued benefits of its ongoing digital adoption programmes

MultiChoice continued its strategy of differentiation through new local content and stepped up its investment by producing 4567 additional hours, representing a 19% increase year on year, despite disruptions caused by strict early lockdown measures in South Africa and abroad.

Since the beginning of 2021, the group has begun and is working to continue launching 11 new local language/content channels across sub-Saharan Africa.

On 10 June, its board approved an offer for MultiChoice to increase its equity investment in Blue Lake Ventures (BetKing) from 20% to 49% for $281.5-million (R3.83-billion). DStv subscribers should prepare to hear more from BetKing on their TVs in short order.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

MultiChoice Introduces New AI Chatbot to its Service

June 9, 2021

Africa’s leading pay TV company, MultiChoice has launched a digital customer service through an Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot, the AI system which the company baptized “The Ultimate Master of Information”, or TUMI is an innovative service that will be available 24/7 to answer customer queries about products and services.

The MultiChoice CEO in South Africa Nyiko Shiburi said that TUMI is an evolutionary leap in our service capability. Shiburi added that it was “Born and developed right here in Africa, TUMI is a tangible manifestation of our commitment to innovation. This is not innovation for its own sake; the focus is to continue to grow our capacity to give our customers an excellent service experience.”

Developed entirely in-house by the MultiChoice team, TUMI interacts in real-time with customers in an online, text-based conversation. It boasts advanced natural language capabilities, which means that TUMI can recognise user questions and provide responses with information related to DStv products and services.

Right now, customers can ask TUMI to clear decoder errors, check balances, reconnect products, make payments, manage holiday home viewing, and change packages.

However, TUMI is intelligent and is constantly learning and evolving, which means more functionalities will be added over time. Through feedback, customers can also help TUMI to learn.

If TUMI is unable to help customers resolve their queries, they will instantly be transferred to a knowledgeable and friendly customer service representative for further assistance.

TUMI currently lives on the DStv website and in time, it will live across MultiChoice’s digital ecosystem on DStv Now (website and app), Showmax (website and app), and Facebook Messenger. TUMI will also act as a concierge to onboard new customers to MultiChoice online-only service, DStv Streaming.

TUMI has already been hard at work helping customers since it launched on 5 May 2021.

“Thanks to TUMI, MultiChoice is in-step with international technology and customer-service trends. TUMI places us at the forefront of customer interaction providing DStv subscribers with another channel to connect with us,” adds Shiburi.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

DStv Unveils New Concept Store in South Africa

November 20, 2020

Simon Camerer, Chief Customer Officer Multichoice SA

Africa’s leading pay TV company, Digital Satellite Television, otherwise known as DStv has opened a Customer Experience Centre – the first-of-its-kind concept store for the video entertainment platform in South Africa. Located in the Mall of the North, the centre occupies 669 square metres over two floors and is expected to bring together the best “digital and physical shopping experience”.

Customers can access a variety of services including purchasing decoders, testing devices, activating services, paying for subscriptions, and accessing self-service functionalities. The store is fitted with themed spaces including a sales booth, solution bar, content lounge, entertainment pods to give customers the full experience of DStv’s latest products and services.

Read also:DStv Launches ‘Add Movies’

“We aim to be closer to our customers through this Customer Experience Centre in Polokwane. It remains important for DStv to elevate the customer experience and continuously improve our customer care support. This space also allows us to showcase our leading innovative products and services directly to our customers while attracting new ones,” says Simon Camerer, Chief Customer Officer Multichoice SA.

DStv has launched ‘Add movies’ – a new movie offering that allows Compact Plus, Compact, Family and Access customers to sign up for DStv’s dedicated movie channels previously only available to Premium subscribers. This offering is available on M-Net Movies 1, M-Net Movies 2 and fliekNet for an additional R99 per month.

The entertainment company says that Add Movies “gives subscribers more choice and control to structure their entertainment needs, including the flexibility to add on this service from month-to-month”.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Critics Slam Plans for Netflix and DStv to collect TV license fees in South Africa

October 26, 2020

Deputy Communications Minister Pinky Kekana

Media critics have come hard on South African authorities over the plan by the South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC) to ask Netflix and MultiChoice to collect TV license fees as unrealistic. This came as the Deputy Communications Minister Pinky Kekana has recently said the expanded definition of a TV licence is outdated and needs to be adjusted to current realities. The SABC said regulation is needed which would require service providers like MultiChoice (DStv) and Netflix to collect TV licences on behalf of the SABC.

Kekana said the government’s proposal to help the SABC improve its financial position would include allowing the public broadcaster to collect licence fees from non-TV users. She added that TV licences fees should not be limited to TVs, but should also include devices like laptops and smartphones which are used to consume content. This idea has been slated by technology experts are unrealistic and challenging to enforce. Rain founder and venture capitalist Michael Jordaan said every business would love to have their competitors pay them, but that’s not how competition works.

“You have to constantly improve to stay relevant,” Jordaan said about the SABC’s funding challenges. Stuff Magazine Editor Toby Shapshak said it is a “crazy suggestion” to expect Netflix or Amazon Prime to collect TV licence fees. He highlighted that there are many problems with the proposal, like who is going to charge the TV licence fee.

“I subscribe to Netflix, DStv, Showmax, and Amazon Prime. Which one of these four companies are going to charge the TV licence fee?” he asked.

“How are they going to cooperate with each other, and what if all of them are charging me the fee?”

Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) CEO Wayne Duvenage said the TV License model is failing. “Any tax or levy that fails to achieve the required compliance due to poor administration and is unenforceable should be terminated,” he said.

Duvenage said TV Licenses have become an irrational tax and compliance has declined over the past decade. “This ultimately means that the revenue model for the state broadcaster should be reviewed, as must its business model and cost structures,” he said.

“We understand the need for a public broadcaster and that some of its funding will need to be sourced through levies or general tax allocations. The question is how much and why and where does oversight of this lie?”

He said the best outcome would be for the SABC to become financially viable as a broadcaster of choice and not of necessity. The idea of switching the failed TV License revenue mechanism to other commercial broadcasters or live streaming entities, or to add a tax to the sale of electronic devices like laptops, phones, and laptops, is also not a solution in Outa’s view.

“This has other unintended consequences and interferes with these entities’ sensitive pricing models,” he said.

“In addition, these items are already taxed through business taxes, VAT and import duties, so by adding a tax onto these electronic items to pay for the public broadcaster would essentially be a double taxation.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

With Churches Shut, Multichoice Launches to Bring Worship Into Homes

May 10, 2020

Chief Customer Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr Martin Mabutho

Efforts aimed at reaching out to its Christian and gospel music-loving customers is behind the launching of a new channel called ‘Hallelujah’, by Multichoice Africa. This aims to bring into the homes of its customers the worship experience they might have missed as a result of the shutting down of places of worship due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This new special channel, according to Multichoice will be on both DStv and GOtv platforms. It noted that the channel, named ‘Hallelujah’ was designed to give churchgoers an immersive ‘church at home’ experience.

According to the Chief Customer Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr Martin Mabutho, the channel will feature praise and worship sessions, sermons, choir ministrations, prayers and other wholesome family programmes from well-known churches in Nigeria. Mabutho said the idea was a way for the company to stay in tune with its customers’ new realities following the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said, “The disruption by the COVID-19 led to the expansion of our religious content programming to cater to the different denominational groups and keep customers connected to their faith during these challenging times. The Hallelujah channel (DStv 198 and GOtv 29) comes at no extra access fee and is available on DStv Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Confam, Family, Yanga and Access as well as on GOtv Max, Jolli and Plus packages.”

He added that the Hallelujah channel on DStv and GOtv would continue to provide the much-needed succor to Christians across the country, giving them an immersive ‘church at home’ experience.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry

Multichoice Africa and Real-Time Channels to Collaborate

July 15, 2019

As part of efforts to bring top quality entertainment programmes to Africa, Multichoice Africa, and Real-Time Channels have entered into an agreement to bring Africa’s Newest Entertainment Channel featuring exciting programmes based on Real Lives, Real Nature, Real Crime, Real Medical. Real Time’s cleverly-curated schedule and dynamic mixture of lifestyle and factual content will ensure audiences get their daily fix of real reality and must-see entertainment all in one channel.

On the DStv platform, Real Time will be available on the Premium, Compact Plus, Compact and Family packages on channel 155; and on the GOtv platform the channel will be available on the GOtv Max package on channel 12 (112 in Ghana and channel 312 in Uganda), allowing for more premium content to reach a wider spectrum of viewers on the continent.

Discovery Inc’s portfolio of channels has been serving passionate fans with content that inspires, informs and entertains with leadership across deeply loved and trusted brands.

“We are incredibly excited to present Real Time to an even wider audience in the market, and further expand and diversify our local portfolio offering,” said Amanda Turnbull, Vice President & General Manager for Discovery in Africa and the Middle East. “With an already successful suite of pay-TV brands, Real Time affords us the chance to bring our world-class content to even more audiences across Africa, in the form of a channel designed to provide much-needed ‘me time’ to the modern African woman and her wider family.”

“Multichoice is excited to welcome this new channel which will give viewers access a wide variety of compelling television shows from Discovery Inc. on our platforms,” said Yolisa Phahle, CEO of General Entertainment at MultiChoice Group. “We work hard to bring the best of what the world has to offer to viewers and plan to keep delivering content that our customers love at a price they can afford. Real Time is a welcome addition to the wide range of content available only on DStv and GOtv.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca has over two decades of media experience, he has traveled to over 77 countries reporting on multilateral development institutions, international business, trade, travels, culture, and diplomacy. He is also a petrol head with in-depth knowledge of automobiles and the auto industry.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca

The Open Window is set to run from Friday (Heritage Day) until Sunday – 24 September to 27 September 2021. During the Open Window period all DStv subscribers across the service’s many packages, from Access to Premium, will be able to stream 18 different SuperSport and other channels.

These are the following channels that will become available for streaming on the DStv app and website:

SS Blitz (DStv channel 200)

SS PSL (DStv channel 202)

SS Premier League (DStv channel 203)

SS LaLiga (DStv channel 204)

SS Football (DStv channel 205)

SS Variety 1 (DStv channel 206)

SS Variety 2 (DStv channel 207)

SS Variety 3 (DStv channel 208)

SS Variety 4 (DStv channel 209)

SS Action (DStv channel 210)

SS Cricket (DStv channel 212)

SS Golf (DStv channel 213)

SS Tennis (DStv channel 214)

SS Motorsport (DStv channel 215)

WWE (DStv channel 128)

GINX (DStv channel 127)

ESPN 1 (DStv channel 218)

ESPN 2 (DStv channel 219)

“This means that during DStv’s Sport Open Window this Heritage Day weekend, no matter what package you’re subscribed to (from Premium to Access), you’ll be able to catch all the action live from golf’s Ryder Cup as the US takes on Europe,” the announcement reads.

Other big-time events occurring this weekend include the F1 Russian Grand Prix and a highly-anticipated matchup between the Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns.

Tennis fans will also be able to enjoy the Europe vs. The World in the Laver Cup from first serve till final smash.

“Remember – these channels are only available to stream via the DStv App and at now.dstv.com. So no matter where the weekend takes you, you won’t have to miss a live sporting moment.”

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca

Right now, customers can ask TUMI to clear decoder errors, check balances, reconnect products, make payments, manage holiday home viewing, and change packages.

However, TUMI is intelligent and is constantly learning and evolving, which means more functionalities will be added over time. Through feedback, customers can also help TUMI to learn.

If TUMI is unable to help customers resolve their queries, they will instantly be transferred to a knowledgeable and friendly customer service representative for further assistance.

TUMI has already been hard at work helping customers since it launched on 5 May 2021.

“Thanks to TUMI, MultiChoice is in-step with international technology and customer-service trends. TUMI places us at the forefront of customer interaction providing DStv subscribers with another channel to connect with us,” adds Shiburi.

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca

Kelechi Deca

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