Multichoice added 498,000 subscribers gross in the six months to September 30, 2010, and it should come as little surprise the South African pay-TV operator is attributing the success to the World Cup, which took place on home soil.
“Underlying growth trends were generally positive, especially for the internet,” said Ton Vosloo, chairman of parent company Naspers. “The 2010 World Cup also had a positive impact on pay television”
Revenues increased by 20% to R10.2 billion (€1.09 billion) as the installed base expanded by 363 000 to 3.2 million households. However, margins were reduced as increased competition, decoder subsidies and increased sports rights costs all added up.
The most successful package is the entry-level Compact bouquet, introduced to counter rivals from other DTH services, which added another 242,000 homes.
In the rest of sub-Saharan Africa subscriber numbers grew by 135 000 to 1.2 million homes. The Compact/Family bouquets now reach 504,000 homes.
