Well, I can usually anticipate to a high degree of accuracy the likely path or paths public reaction would take to a certain news story - just like the quantum computers generated the most likely Hurricane Irma trajectories, but I didn't expect this.
What was the reaction to MultiChoice deciding to make Showmax available to DStv Premium subscribers without charging them more?
The reaction is twofold: A much bigger than expected response, and (so far) a universally positive response.
Yesterday MultiChoice confirmed that DStv Premium subscribers are getting Showmax added without paying more for DStv Premium - and these are the steps you take to link Showmax to your DStv Premium subscription.
So far I've been flooded - and the word is not an over-exaggeration - by emails and messages from people who are surprised and surprised in a good way.
It seems there's a lot of people (pent-up demand?) from people who would like to use Showmax but didn't want to pay for it since they've already been paying for the most expensive, top-tier DStv subscription.
The news that DStv Premium subscribers can link Naspers' subscription video-on-demand Showmax with their existing pay-TV service has been met with universally positive feedback.
Imagine a "100% fresh" Rotten Tomatoes score for a film. While its theoretically possible, its practically impossible, yet that's what the Showmax DStv Premium mash-up seemingly achieved.
"Impressive. Most impressive," as Darth Vader would say.
I haven't had any chance to thoroughly think through the various pro's and con's of this move, I'll keep it for my next early flight tomorrow when my brain drifts between here and other worlds.
Showmax will definitely get access to more users. Showmax content will definitely be watched more. Showmax' brand awareness will increase.
DStv Premium subscribers get more value - in biz-speak the value proposition increased.
In a certain sense the breadth and scope of MultiChoice's DStv Catch Up collection increases - not under the "Catch Up" brand but DStv Premium subscribers get access to back content through Showmax that DStv doesn't have to carry on the limited space it has for its Catch Up service.
When I've thought about it more, I will have a more thorough analysis, but it's interesting how quickly questions came in from people asking how it works, how to sign up, how to link Showmax and DStv Premium and if it's worth it.
I've also heard from a lot of people asking what is Showmax, should they add it, if there really is no payment necessary, what they can use it for and see on it - so it's clear that there's people who haven't heard of Showmax yet, and who are unfamiliar with its proposition and how it works.
Through DStv Premium it seems a lot more people are now going to sign up and try it because they are able to get it.
MultiChoice is bringing Showmax "out of the shadows" so to speak and making it more "mass market", no longer just something for the early-adopter, cyber savvy, heavy TV-user, binge-watching crowd.
DStv Premium subscribers looking some just one or two somethings extra, can now dip in and sample more TV from Showmax too.
