Africa to add 12 million pay TV subscribers by 2029

Africa to add 12 million pay TV subs

The number of pay TV subscribers in Africa will climb by 12 million between 2023 and 2029. This means an extra 7 million pay satellite TV subscribers and 5 million more pay DTT homes.

The pay total will reach 55 million by 2029, with satellite TV contributing 33 million and DTT 21 million. From the 43 million pay TV subscribers at end-2023, 26 million were satellite TV and 16 million DTT.

Four countries will supply nearly half of the pay TV subscriber total by 2029 and eight countries will account for two-thirds of the total. Nigeria will provide 10 million subscribers – having overtaken South Africa in 2022.

Simon Murray, Principal Analyst at Digital TV Research, said: “Despite a recent slowdown in new subscriptions, Africa still has plenty of pay TV potential. Between 2023 and 2029, 27 million TV households to be added – taking the total 130 million.”