DStv, StarTimes subscription dwindle as consumers turn to Netflix, Irokotv for entertainment
Pascal Oparada
The rise of streaming services like Netflix and iRokoTv is giving pay television operators a nightmare as customers seem to opt for on the go kind of service offered by Netflix and irokotv.
The Coronavirus lockdown across the world, especially in Nigeria, saw people rushing to streaming sites instead of pay television like DStv and StarTimes, the two dominant operators in Africa.
Also, more people consumed more mobile data used in streaming from the sites.
Experts say the pay television operators were badly hit mostly because, instead of reducing their subscriptions when people stayed at home during the lockdown, they increased them.
They pointed accusing fingers mostly at DStv whom they say have a near-monopoly status in Africa.
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Google Trends data shows the extent to which pay television has been hurt in the last 90 days in Nigeria.
In the period surveyed, Netflix subscription soared to whooping 75 per cent in Nigeria as against DStv’s 40 per cent, StarTimes 30 per cent and Irokotv at 60 per cent.
Netflix dominance seems to be propelled by Netflix Naija, a special channel dedicated to Nigerian contents.
On Sunday, Netflix Naija showed Living in Bondage, the remark of the 1990s classic which is touted to have launched Nigeria’s Nollywood into global recognition.
The surge in mobile downloads from the streaming sites is buoyed by a reduction in charges by various telcos in Nigeria which came to the aid of people as they stayed at home during the lockdown imposed by the government because of COVID-19.
In Borno, Jigawa and Enugu states, more people are watching movies on Netflix which saw downloads in the states stand at 60 per cent for Borno, 100 per cent for Jigawa and Enugu 58 per cent.
The five states of Jigawa, Ekiti, Taraba, Ogun and Kebbi states are more interested in Netflix. The movie, Miracle in Cell 7 is the most-watched movie in the states.
The states of Adamawa, Kebbi, Ogun, Nasarawa and Kogi preferred DStv. They watched Toonami on the channel.
People in Kwara, Niger, Kano, Osun and Nasarawa states prefer StarTimes.
Irokotv is mostly popular in states like Bayelsa, Abia, Imo Kwara and Anambra.
