Internet consumption in South Africa is growing rapidly, supporting an increase in the online entertainment and media industry. This has resulted in a huge boost to streaming service subscriptions that deliver content directly to consumers via the internet.

The entertainment and media markets in SA, Nigeria and Kenya have seen a remarkable increase over the last couple of years. This forecast to continue building towards 2026. More South Africans now have access to the internet thanks to an ever-expanding network of fibre. 

The media industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Africa, showing a 15.4% growth rate in the last year with a total industry spend of R163 billion. This is according to the Africa Entertainment and Media Outlook for 2022 to 2026, a recent industry insights report. It assesses consumer behaviours and projects where things are heading over the next five years. 

SA streaming services boom post-pandemic

Lockdown conditions saw a massive surge in over-the-top (OTT) streaming services and video gaming. The pandemic certainly changed many consumer patterns with more South Africans going online on a regular basis. Video-on-demand (VOD) and gaming services attracted the bulk of users. 

This trend is set to continue now that the country has access to vast libraries of on-demand TV shows, movies, millions of videos on social streaming services, and a multitude of gaming platforms. 

OTT streaming services are fast starting to take preference over broadcast and satellite TV subscriptions, as well as print media, in South Africa’s entertainment and media sector. South Africans have a larger number of streaming service options to choose from. 

To enjoy on-demand HD video, consumers need a stable internet connection. WonderNet has a fibre package designed for online streaming: The Uninterrupted Streamer is a high-speed, multiple-user solution for disruption-free and smooth delivery of your choice of entertainment or media. 

Wide range of streaming services available in SA

Consumers are able to select a service that reflects their interests and suits their budget.  Whether you want to watch sport, stay up-to-date with your favourite soapies, provide entertainment for your children or you keep up with the influencers, our guide to choosing the best streaming platform has you covered. In it, we give you a breakdown of streaming services that South Africans have access to, and we’ve included subscription costs.  

Vast libraries of on-demand local and international TV series and movies are available via services like Prime Plus, Netflix, AppleTV and Showmax. South Africans also now have access to streaming services that have more recently been launched in the country, like BritBox, eVOD, Disney+ and TelkomONE. 

Another kind of streaming service, social streaming, allows South Africans to watch uploaded content or live videos in real time. This includes YouTube, which is one of the biggest video streaming platforms with around 800 million videos and over two billion users. 

Another example is Twitch – an interactive live streaming service that is primarily used by gamers but also caters for categories like sports, music and lifestyle. Similarly, LinkedIn offers free live streams from professionals, brands and influencers. 

The world of online gaming has also taken SA by storm after thriving under lockdown. Some of the most popular online games in SA currently are Candy Crush Saga, League of Legends, Fortnite, Roblox, Minecraft, and Grand Theft Auto.

Anytime-access to your favourite shows

While scheduled television broadcasting can be limiting, VOD services give viewers the freedom to consume content in a continuous manner, directly from the source. Watch a movie in three sittings, or binge the latest season of your favourite series in one go; these subscription services will save your preferences and suggest media to suit your vibe.

OTT distribution of entertainment and media gives consumers immediate viewing and an unprecedented range of options available. Our Uninterrupted Streamer package offers fast download speeds for your viewing pleasure. Streaming requires more data and this product includes enough to support multiple devices, so everybody in the home can have their entertainment needs met. 

The future of SA streaming services 

As industries like OTT video and gaming rise to new heights, some of the industries that were worst hit by Covid-19, like cinema, live music and trade shows, are making a strong comeback. 

With the marked changes in consumer habits and the possibilities offered by media streaming services in SA, there is certainly a lot of scope for merging these markets, like being able to attend a live concert in your lounge or taking a virtual tour in an art museum. 

There is also growing awareness and participation in the Metaverse. This refers to a network of 3D virtual worlds, focused on social connection. In these virtual worlds, people can live, work, shop, earn and interact with other people, all from the comfort of your couch. 

Future entertainment and media growth will certainly be seen in the metaverse through the use of non-fungible tokens (NFTs). NFTs are blockchain-held tokens that represent a unique asset, whether real or digital.

According to PwC’s E&M outlook, more than 16% of South African consumers have participated in a ‘virtual world’ over the last 12 months, while the use of NFTs has seen fast adoption in some African markets. South Africa ranks 12th for NFT ownership globally.

Advertising revenue from the entertainment and media industry is set to skyrocket over the next few years, with nearly 80% of entertainment and media revenue in SA being expected to come from internet advertising and access to streaming services.

Choose a reliable internet connection for your streaming needs

Streaming movies, shows or social media content takes up a lot of bandwidth. For a high quality picture, you need at least a 10 or 20 MB speed internet connection. For households of more than one person, 20 MB is the absolute minimum you should get. 

Fibre internet provides the best video streaming experience. Your internet connection is more stable and is delivered at faster speeds. This is perfect for streaming live content or watching online series or films. For more information about our fibre offerings or to get a quote for an internet upgrade, please contact us today or check if we’re connected to your address.