MultiChoice this week relaxed its limitation on the variety of concurrent streams obtainable by way of its DStv Stream and Showmax plans.
Streaming firms around the globe, together with Netflix, have been cracking down on concurrent streaming in an effort to cease password sharing, which had change into rampant within the trade as shoppers sought to chop prices. The technique has labored nicely for some, like Netflix, however arguably not as nicely for others.
Nonetheless, the flexibility to stream concurrently to a number of gadgets is in excessive demand by shoppers, not solely as a result of they need to share their password credentials with buddies, however as a result of many properties now have a number of screens, together with TVs, smartphones, tablets and computer systems.
Given MultiChoice’s resolution to scrap its one-device streaming restrict, TechCentral in contrast a few of South Africa’s hottest streaming companies to see which of them present essentially the most concurrent streaming choices. The place a couple of subscription possibility from a single vendor was obtainable, the one with the very best variety of concurrent streams was chosen for the comparability.
With a month-to-month subscription payment of R125/month, Apple TV+ topped the rankings with as much as six concurrent streams obtainable per subscription.
Though not as well-liked in South Africa as a few of its opponents listed within the desk beneath, Apple TV+ has confirmed itself to be a talented curator of high-quality content material, particularly within the sci-fi style.
Least costly per stream
A few of Apple TV+’s hit exhibits embody Severance, Silo, Basis and the spy thriller Gradual Horses. On condition that six individuals can watch completely different exhibits on completely different gadgets on the identical time, Apple TV+ seems to be the least costly streaming service at a value of simply R21/stream.
At R200 for its premium subscription, Netflix has the second highest variety of concurrent streaming choices obtainable, with as much as 4 gadgets capable of view content material on the identical time. As a frontrunner within the streaming enterprise, Netflix has a aggressive edge concerning the sheer quantity of content material obtainable on its platform.
Learn: DStv Stream is gaining momentum
However with extra alternative comes extra noise, and the streamer has been criticised for its obvious amount over high quality method in recent times. Similar to Apple TV+, Netflix streams in 4K high quality on succesful gadgets at an inexpensive R50/stream.
The highest 10 exhibits on Netflix this week embody Adolescence, Magnificence in Black, Operating Level and Temptation Island.
Disney+, in the meantime, has carved out a distinct segment for itself because the go-to streaming service for content material aimed toward youngsters and youngsters. Its R160 subscription permits as much as 4 concurrent streams, equating to an inexpensive R40/stream for 4K-quality content material.
A few of Disney+’s finest exhibits comparable to Loki, Solely Murders within the Constructing and The Mandalorian strike a wire with viewers members throughout all age teams.
MultiChoice’s DStv Stream and Showmax are tied with Amazon Prime Video for the bottom variety of concurrent streams on provide, with all three platforms limiting subscribers to simply two streams at any given time. From a pricing perspective, Amazon’s R80/month is less expensive than DStv Stream Premium, which prices R700/month however which incorporates top-flight sport from SuperSport.
Like Apple TV+, Prime Video has developed a repute for top-rated content material with hit exhibits comparable to Citadel, The Boys, Reacher and The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Energy being a number of the hottest within the Prime catalogue.
Learn: DStv value changes introduced for 2025
DStv Stream is the costliest streaming bundle obtainable in South Africa – by far. Aside from its world-class sports activities providing, DStv’s basic leisure catalogue is bolstered by a powerful deal with native content material in addition to the syndication of hit TV exhibits from worldwide HBO and others. The technique for Showmax is equivalent.
A few of DStv Stream’s hottest native productions embody Sibongile and the Dlaminis, Umkhoka: The Curse and Mnakwethu: Fortunately Ever After.
Though many of the streaming companies competing with DStv Stream can go toe-to-toe on films, collection, documentaries and different basic leisure content material, DStv stays in a league of its personal relating to sport, which for a lot of shoppers justifies the upper value.
Learn: DStv’s future: unbundled sports activities and a-la-carte content material, or extra of the identical?
But each DStv Stream Premium and the Showmax Leisure and Premier bundles solely provide 1080p as the very best streaming decision regardless of 4K-resolution TVs already being broadly utilized in South Africa.
Showmax quantities to R75/stream (R50/stream with out the soccer), whereas DStv Stream Premium prices a whopping R350/stream. – © 2025 NewsCentral Media
Get breaking information from TechCentral on WhatsApp. Enroll right here.
