What is a Streaming Service?
Streaming media is multimedia that is delivered and consumed in a continuous manner from a source, with little or no intermediate storage in network elements. Streaming refers to the delivery method of content, rather than the content itself.
Top Streaming Services In South Africa
Netflix
Netflix is one of the most popular streaming services globally and, in turn, in South Africa. It offers an impressive library of TV shows, movies, and documentaries.
It’s continuously producing its own original content, which has been hit-or-miss just lately. But it offers a user-friendly experience and has some of the most iconic shows and movies of the recent past. If you suffer from chronic FOMO (fear of missing out) it’s probably smart to add a Netflix subscription to your streaming arsenal.
It has several subscription options but it’s important to note that Netflix will, at some point in the future, start to limit account sharing. Keep that in mind.
- Basic plan: R99 per month (SD quality, one screen at a time)
- Standard plan: R159 per month (HD quality, two screens at a time)
- Premium plan: R199 per month (Ultra HD quality, four screens at a time)
- Mobile plan: R49 per month (mobile only, one device at a time)
Amazon Prime Video
Then there’s Amazon Prime Video. The rule is, if you can’t find something on Netflix, you’ll probably find it on Amazon Prime.
Amazon also develops its own shows and films. Most of these haven’t hit popular culture quite as hard as Netflix’s additions have but there are some gems in there if you’re keen to search. The app experience isn’t as seamless as Netflix but it’s improved over the years, and it’s not the worst you’ll see on this list.
Amazon Prime Video offers a 30-day free trial and has a subscription fee of R79 per month. On this plan, three devices can be signed into one account simultaneously, and two devices can stream the same content at the same time.
Showmax
While not DStv’s official competitor in the streaming space, Showmax is also owned by Multichoice but offers a more local focus with its content.
Here you can watch locally-produced content – not all of which is… terrible. On the Pro subscription, South Africans can watch a handful of SuperSport channels and keep up with major live global sporting events. Keep in mind that you’ll pay dearly for that option so may be worth holding on to your parent’s DStv logins for a while.
Showmax offers a 14-day free trial and has a subscription fee of R99 per month for the base plan that includes five devices. It also offers a mobile plan for R39 a month that allows two mobile devices to be signed in at once, and a Pro plan priced at R349 per month (with a R299/m promotion running until July this year). Finally, there’s Showmax Pro Mobile, which will set you back R225 per month.
DStv streaming
This is where we get to DStv’s ‘official’ streaming competitor. It used to be called DStv Now but has since been rebranded.
This feels like a ‘gateway’ product to get more users onto its more expensive satellite TV offering. At R99, it offers a streaming option for non-subscribers that includes content from just 66 channels.
The ‘Premium’ option costs R699 per month and offers content from more than 135 channels. With that kind of money, you can sign up for close to all the streaming services on this list. DStv streams are available in up to 1080p resolution and there are no trials offered.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is an anime streaming service that offers a wide range of anime and manga content. It consists of a 14-day free trial and has a subscription fee of R109 per month.
In addition to a massive library of anime, this service offers a same-day simulcast of new episodes from Japan. That is, for certain content only but if you’re keen on Japanese animation, this option should be on your radar.
SABC+
This is a controversial one. If you remember the fleeting life of the Telkom One streaming service, you know that that’s essentially what this is.
The SABC managed to take over that streaming service and rebrand it. It now offers free access to channels including SABC1, SABC2, and SABC3 and, ironically, you don’t need a television license to sign up.
You can also expect to see a SABC sports channel, a 24-hour news channel, and a bunch of radio stations. A subscription is free, but you’ll pay with your sanity while navigating the page.
Disney+
It feels like South Africans (and most of the world, that is) have waited a long, long time for this streaming service. Owned by Walt Disney Co, Disney+ offers some of the most well-known content, including movies, TV shows, and original programming from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic.
Like its competitors, the company is working on a massive line-up of original content, much of which is set in existing universes, like Star Wars. The app is available on a variety of platforms, but be aware that the TV and console apps available here are not the app they use in the US. It’s a watered-down version from India that does have its foibles.
Apple TV+
Go up an LSM bracket, and you get Apple TV+, which doesn’t license much content. Here, you’ll find Apple TV+’s exclusive original content.
This can all be streamed on Apple devices, and some smart TVs and gaming consoles. It’s ad-free and offers a minimalist seven-day trial. If you buy certain Apple devices, the company will gift you three months of Apple TV+ for free. A subscription costs R125 per month. Ted Lasso is on it.
What streaming services are owned by South Africa?
DStv streaming
DStv’s streaming offering, previously known as DStv Now, is provided by the biggest broadcaster in South Africa, the JSE-listed MultiChoice Group, which also owns brands such as M-Net, SuperSport, and Showmax.
Who is the number one streamed artist in South Africa?
Kabza De Small
Spotify has announced the arrival of South Africa’s Wrapped 2022, the platform’s deep dive into the music that defined the year for users locally.
This year, Amapiano became South Africa’s hottest genre, with Kabza De Small being the most streamed SA artist on the platform.