African pay-TV subs estimated to reach 57m by 2028

Africa will reach 57 million pay-TV subscriptions over the next five years, according to a new report by Digital TV Research.

Around 16 million total new subscribers are expected to be added by 2028, representing a rise of 38%, though the research suggests that pay-TV revenues will only increase by 29%, indicating that subscribers will pay less.

Pay-TV revenues are predicted to reach $6.44bn by 2028, up from $4.99bn on 2022.

Three groups currently account for 89% of Africa’s pay TV-subscribers. Multichoice, through its DStv and GOtv platforms, will continue to lead – with 21 million subscribers expected by 2028, while StarTimes/StarSat (19 million) and Canal Plus/Easy TV (11 million) will follow, said the research.

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.”