African pay-TV subscriptions predicted to rise by 12 million in next five years

The number of African pay-TV subscribers will climb by 12 million between 2023 and 2029, according to a new report from Digital TV Research.

The increase means an extra seven million pay satellite TV subscribers and five million more pay DTT homes.

The pay total will reach 55 million by 2029, with satellite TV contributing 33 million and DTT 21 million, according to the report. From the 43 million pay-TV subscribers at end-2023, 26 million were satellite TV and 16 million DTT.

Four countries are expected to supply nearly half of the pay -TV subscriber total by 2029 and eight countries will account for two-thirds of the total. Nigeria will provide 10 million subscribers – having overtaken South Africa in 2022.

Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research, said: “Despite a recent slowdown in new subscriptions, Africa still has plenty of pay-TV potential. Between 2023 and 2029, 27 million TV households to be added – taking the total 130 million.”