Africa’s SVoD subscriptions to triple by 2027 predicts Digital TV Research

Africa: SVoD subscriptions by platform (000)

The number of SVoD subscriptions in Africa will triple by 2027, according to UK analysis firm Digital TV Research.

There were 4.9 million SVoD subscriptions in Africa at the end of 2021, and Digital TV Research predicts this figure will increase to 13.64 million by 2027. This means 6.6% of TV households will pay for at least one subscription by 2027, up from 3.9% at the end of 2021.

Netflix is expected to remain the market leader, with 6.41 million subscribers by 2027, up from 2.72 million at the end of 2021. This represents 48% of the region’s total SVoD subscriptions.

Amazon’s Prime Video, which launches in Nigeria and South Africa next year, is tipped to see its subscriber numbers increase to 2.63 million from 579,000. Local SVoD service Showmax comes in next, with subscriptions predicted to rise to 2.07 million from 867,000.

Digital TV Research forecasts that Disney+, which is yet to launch in Africa, will have 1.03 million subscribers by 2027, while Apple TV+ will see subscriber numbers rise to 199,000 from 32,000. Other SVoDs combined will make up 1.31 million subscriptions, up from 698,000, the analysis firm said.

Simon Murray, principal analyst at Digital TV Research, said: “As well as low broadband penetration and low disposable incomes, limited roll-out by several global platforms restricts growth. Disney+ will only launch in South Africa and Nigeria. Paramount+ is only likely to start in South Africa. HBO Max will not be a standalone platform in Africa.”