Naspers' pay TV businesses added 634 000 subscribers in its latest reported financial year ending on 30 March 2010. That is 19% higher subscriber growth than in the previous financial year that ended 30 March 2009.
Interesting to note is that Naspers says that the cost of TV content has risen - mostly due to competition in the TV market as well as more local production. In South Africa the subscriber base of MultiChoice South Africa grew by 450 000 subscribers to 2,85 million homes (now offering nine different DStv bouquets). A big subscriber driver in these available bouquets, just like in the previous financial results, remains DStv Compact that ''with a strong content offering of soccer, general entertainment and movies, attracted many customers''.
In the 47 countries in the rest of Africa where MultiChoice Africa operates, ''a focus on local content and additional sport delivered 184 000 additional subscribers, taking the subscriber base to 1,1 million homes. The Compact and Family bouquets stand at 447 000''. Hausa and Yoruba language content was added in Nigeria and SuperSport is now one of the main funders of local sports leagues across the African continent. That says Naspers, means higher content costs for the group. ''However, if African sport is to become globally competitive, it needs funding by someone.''
Mobile TV operations were launched in Ghana, Kenya, Namibia and Nigeria, while the media group is still awaiting a mobile TV licence in South Africa.
