MultiChoice plans to launch its streaming video platform, DStv Now, for subscribers across all of its bouquets by the end of the year, including Family, Access and EasyView.
DStv Now is already available for subscribers to DStv Premium, Compact Plus (formerly Extra) and Compact. The company’s head of digital media, Graeme Cumming, said on Thursday that the intention is to launch DStv Now for the lower-priced bouquets by Christmas.
The news of the planned expansion of the service comes as MultiChoice said DStv Now has seen a 140% increase in monthly access users in the past 12 months.
Cumming said DStv Now has eight million “play events” per month, up 100% on six months ago. Year on year, Web video views have increased by 361%, while app video plays have seen a 264% increase in the same time.
More people access DStv Now via the Web than via the DStv mobile apps, he said. This is probably because people want to consume content on bigger screens.
The most popular channels on the platform are SuperSport 1, SuperSport 2, SuperSport 3 and SuperSport 6 as well as M-Net, KykNet Idols and Mzansi Magic. The most popular shows include Game of Thrones, The Queen, Isibaya and Binnelanders.
In the past year, MultiChoice has added 26 channels to DStv Now. The latest, announced on Thursday, is Comedy Central. Other recent additions include the SABC and e.tv free-to-air channels, SuperSport 10, SuperSport 11 and SuperSport 12 as well as news channel eNCA.
Content expiry
Cumming said MultiChoice has extended content expiry on downloads to 30 days, from seven previously. Once users begin to watch content, it expires in 48 hours (a requirement of the studios).
He said, too, that improvements are being made to live recommendations to allow viewers to surface content more easily. “We want to tell you if something is going to air in five minutes and ask if you want to watch it.”
The company also plans to introduce a “watchlist”, allowing customers to build up a library of titles they want to watch. This functionality will be introduced soon.
Another feature being worked on will offer viewers a list of TV shows they have recently watched, allowing them to get back to their favourite shows quickly. — © 2017 NewsCentral Media
