Local is lekker for viewers

Over 84000 hours of content, 12% increase year on year.

- MIKE SHARMAN

According to The Broadcast Research Council of South Africa (BRC), house consuming holds linear TV declined by 12.5% over the past four years.

The Market Reach Foundation suggests that one in five South Africans is streaming content.

Roughly 6.3 million South Africans have Netflix and 3.6 million have Showmax.

These results are sourced from a sample of eight million interviewees 55% male and 45% female. At least 55% of respondents reside in metropolitan areas, while 30% and 15% live in urban and rural areas.

South Africans are obsessed with stories - especially local narratives and this is the reason why MultiChoice has invested so aggressively in the development of home-grown series.

According to its FY24 results: "MultiChoice is by far the largest producer of original content on the African continent. The group again produced over 6 500 hours of local content and its local content library now has more than 84 000 hours of content, a 12% increase YOY."

It boasted how the highlight of its year was Shaka Ilembe, which launched on Mzansi Magic in June to become Africa's biggest TV series.