Game on: MultiChoice eyes standalone sports packages to stop the viewer bleed
MultiChoice is facing significant financial challenges amid a decline in active subscribers.
Image: Karen Sandison/Independent Newspapers
MultiChoice is considering the possibility of separating its flagship SuperSport channels from its broader DStv packages.
The company has seen a steady drop in inactive linear subscribers in recent years. According to its latest annual reports, MultiChoice has lost a staggering 2.8 million active linear subscribers over the past two financial years.
"The South African economy saw some signs of potential improvement in the current year as inflation eased, and the South African Reserve Bank started lowering interest rates," the group noted in its annual report.
"However, high unemployment, low economic growth and the ongoing effect of load reductions have meant that the South African consumer remains under significant financial pressure, which is negatively affecting businesses like MultiChoice that provides discretionary products and services".
Despite this, SuperSport has shown strong growth and engagement, with increased viewership for major sports events including cricket, rugby, football, and MMA.
According to the group's CEO, Calvo Mawela, they are considering new stand-alone sports packages as part of their strategy to adapt to changing viewer habits.
'As part of our product offering, we have always had this project that we ran every year where we look at our packaging structures, similar to what Sky did some years back where they had a basic package, they had a sports package on the side (and) they had a general entertainment package on the side,' Mawela said according to Reuters.
'We've accelerated that project in terms of getting us to finalise which direction we're going to take in this financial year. But yes, we are considering all options as part of a broader product offering going forward.'
[email protected]
IOL Business Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
2 hours ago
- The Star
Celebrating educated young black farmers
Zamayirha Peter | Published 3 hours ago Lizzy Nyathi is a member of the youth network ACTIVATE! Change Drivers who used a seedling donation by the network to plant a business that has grown its fruits and influence in many communities, and as a supplier to many retail stores. Lisima Farming Project employs four permanent staff who work at the farm and four seasonal labourers. Her story may not have drawn the attention of the Oval Office on 21 May; however, her commitment to sustainable farming and developing the next generation of young African farmers is adding to the good South African story of the immeasurable role of agriculture Lizzy Nyathi is a member of the youth network ACTIVATE! Change Drivers who used a seedling donation by the network to plant a business that has grown its fruits and influence in many communities, and as a supplier to many retail stores. An educated black female farmer, she is from Mpumalanga and the director of the Lisima farming project (Lisima Trading and project) that is based in the Bushbuckridge Municipality, in a small village called Welverdiend. Educated and passionate about sustainable farming Lizzy holds a degree in agricultural management from the University of Limpopo. For Lizzy, the idea to farm was born during her years as a student, and it grew its legs when she began to facilitate agricultural programs that focused on plant production and horticulture. Through her friends and family's support, she managed to raise funds to the sum of R50,000 to start crop farming. In 2023, she cleared 1ha (hectare) out of 3 and fenced it and started producing from it and ultimately made her first sale in August 2023 to Lebamba Hoedspruit. Nearly two years later, Lizzy has never looked back and recounts both challenges and opportunities that farming has brought her way. Some of her achievements include being a local crop supplier at Spar, Makhoma, Roots, Boxer, Lebamba, Street vendors, community members and several game lodges. As a small-scale farmer, Lizzy reflects on the challenges of having sufficient resources to meet the demands and make a profit. 'Sometimes our crops get affected when there are seasonal changes, but I kept it up throughout the whole year. With me now supplying the game lodges, I had to consider planting special crops and herbs. I then realised we, as small-scale farmers, incurred so many losses in our production due to an unplanned production system', Nyathi. 'We also tend to have more losses of products like tomatoes because they have a short shelf life. I came up with a way of preserving it for a different function. Now we are happy to say we also produce sun-dried tomatoes, pepper sauce and basil pesto, which we supply to many game lodges, and we also make spices from the herbs we plant on the farm. Some of these dried herbs are used on our processed products', she adds elated. Lizzy's approach to farming has been multifaceted and comprised of dynamic interventions to get to her bottom line. Lisima Farming Project not only focuses on growing crops and livestock but also provides a space to teach the next generation of farmers and gives back to the communities that support the business through their social investment project. 'Some of our products are allocated to those in need. We go into households that are without food, and schools that cater for minor kids, such as creches, and we have a program in the community that annually gives Christmas hampers to the needy households on Christmas Day', Nyathi. For Lizzy, farming does not begin and end with what you plant, but with your impact at the community level. 'As a business, we comply with the South African Good Agricultural Practices (SAGAP) standard, and we are HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point) certified', Nyathi. 'For us, farming is not just about production, but we also ensure that we produce food that is healthy to consume, we minimise the use of agrochemicals, and in any way possible, we avoid them altogether', she adds. Now, Lisima Farming Project employs four permanent staff who work at the farm and four seasonal labourers. 'From May 2025, they were entrusted by WILD IMPACT to host two of their interns for practical training. Last year, we received a grant from the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) to the value of R50 000, and they helped me get a website and paid the subscription for the whole year of 2025. 'We used the NYDA grant to fence the other 2ha (hectare) and buy some water reservoirs. The remaining 2ha is not yet in production because we only have 1 borehole, which cannot cater for the other 2ha. We are planning on planting and producing on the other 2ha (hectare) as soon as we get the second borehole, because the demand for fresh produce is higher than our capacity now'. Lisima Farming Project is a testament to a good South African story when a village comes together (businesses, family, government), to support one young person, who comes from a marginalised community, has a will to study, a passion for sustainable farming and a commitment to mix profits with meaningful impact at the community level. To support the Lisima Farming Project, you can get in touch via their website on or give them a call on 013 880 2246. Zamayirha Peter is an Advocacy Communications Specialist with over eight (8) years of experience in multimedia journalism and communications. Her passion is using development communications to contribute to the advancement and empowerment of communities, particularly the youth, across the continent and influence global conversations through using strategic communication tools.
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Dortmund edge Sundowns in a seven-goal thriller
Goals from Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy, Jobe Bellingham, and a Khuliso Mudau own goal ensured the Bundesliga outfit registered their first win of the tournament. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Trent Patterson/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock (15367892n) Mamelodi Sundowns defender Khuliso Mudau (25) celebreates with Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lucas Ribeiro Costa (10) and he scored the first goal of the an Fifa Club World Cup game at TQL Stadium Soccer 2025: Mamelodi Sundowns Vs. Borussia Dortmund, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA – 21 Jun 2025 Borussia Dortmund claimed a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in a pulsating FIFA Club World Cup Group F encounter at the TQL Stadium on Saturday night. Sundowns' spirited fightback Goals from Felix Nmecha, Serhou Guirassy, Jobe Bellingham, and a Khuliso Mudau own goal ensured the Bundesliga outfit registered their first win of the tournament, despite a spirited fightback from the South African champions. ALSO READ: PSG stunned by Botafogo after Messi lights up Club World Cup Sundowns took a surprise lead just 11 minutes into the game. Lucas Ribeiro went on a brilliant solo run from the halfway line before calmly slotting past Gregor Kobel. However, the lead was short-lived following a misplaced pass from Sundowns goalkeeper Ronwen Williams who gifted Nmecha a simple finish into an empty net to level matters in the 16th minute. Teboho Mokoena was then caught in possession in midfield, and Dortmund made no mistake on the counter, with Guirassy heading home from Julian Brandt's pinpoint cross to make it 2-1. Dortmund extended their advantage before the break after Williams failed to deal with Brandt's low cross. He spilled the ball into the path of Bellingham, who tapped in his first goal for the club. The German side went into the break 3-1 up after an entertaining first half. The scoreline grew more lopsided on the hour mark when Mudau inadvertently turned a cross into his own net to make it 4-1, but Sundowns hit back just two minutes later. Iqraam Rayners rose highest to head Mokoena's free-kick against the upright, then reacted quickest to steer in the rebound. It was his second goal of the tournament, following his match-winner against Ulsan HD on Wednesday. Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso made only one change to the line-up that beat Ulsan, bringing in Tashreeq Matthews for Arthur Sales. Matthews, facing his former club, was withdrawn after 70 minutes for Jayden Adams. Mothiba magic Substitute Lebo Mothiba gave the Brazilians late hope with a composed finish from Kutlwano Letlaku's assist in the 90th minute, but Dortmund held firm in the dying moments to secure all three points. ALSO READ: Flamengo floor Chelsea at Club World Cup The result sees Dortmund move to the top of Group F with four points from two matches, while Sundowns sit second. Attention now shifts to the other clash between Ulsan HD and Fluminense, which kicks off at midnight (SA time) on Sunday.
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
Celebrating educated young black farmers
Lizzy Nyathi is a member of the youth network ACTIVATE! Change Drivers who used a seedling donation by the network to plant a business that has grown its fruits and influence in many communities, and as a supplier to many retail stores. Lisima Farming Project employs four permanent staff who work at the farm and four seasonal labourers. Her story may not have drawn the attention of the Oval Office on 21 May; however, her commitment to sustainable farming and developing the next generation of young African farmers is adding to the good South African story of the immeasurable role of agriculture Lizzy Nyathi is a member of the youth network ACTIVATE! Change Drivers who used a seedling donation by the network to plant a business that has grown its fruits and influence in many communities, and as a supplier to many retail stores. An educated black female farmer, she is from Mpumalanga and the director of the Lisima farming project (Lisima Trading and project) that is based in the Bushbuckridge Municipality, in a small village called Welverdiend. Educated and passionate about sustainable farming Lizzy holds a degree in agricultural management from the University of Limpopo. For Lizzy, the idea to farm was born during her years as a student, and it grew its legs when she began to facilitate agricultural programs that focused on plant production and horticulture. Through her friends and family's support, she managed to raise funds to the sum of R50,000 to start crop farming. In 2023, she cleared 1ha (hectare) out of 3 and fenced it and started producing from it and ultimately made her first sale in August 2023 to Lebamba Hoedspruit. Nearly two years later, Lizzy has never looked back and recounts both challenges and opportunities that farming has brought her way. Some of her achievements include being a local crop supplier at Spar, Makhoma, Roots, Boxer, Lebamba, Street vendors, community members and several game lodges. Farming requires you to innovate As a small-scale farmer, Lizzy reflects on the challenges of having sufficient resources to meet the demands and make a profit. 'Sometimes our crops get affected when there are seasonal changes, but I kept it up throughout the whole year. With me now supplying the game lodges, I had to consider planting special crops and herbs. I then realised we, as small-scale farmers, incurred so many losses in our production due to an unplanned production system', Nyathi. 'We also tend to have more losses of products like tomatoes because they have a short shelf life. I came up with a way of preserving it for a different function. Now we are happy to say we also produce sun-dried tomatoes, pepper sauce and basil pesto, which we supply to many game lodges, and we also make spices from the herbs we plant on the farm. Some of these dried herbs are used on our processed products', she adds elated. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Zamayirha Peter is an Advocacy Communications Specialist with over eight (8) years of experience in multimedia journalism and communications. Image: Supplied Giving back to those in need Lizzy's approach to farming has been multifaceted and comprised of dynamic interventions to get to her bottom line. Lisima Farming Project not only focuses on growing crops and livestock but also provides a space to teach the next generation of farmers and gives back to the communities that support the business through their social investment project. 'Some of our products are allocated to those in need. We go into households that are without food, and schools that cater for minor kids, such as creches, and we have a program in the community that annually gives Christmas hampers to the needy households on Christmas Day', Nyathi. For Lizzy, farming does not begin and end with what you plant, but with your impact at the community level. 'As a business, we comply with the South African Good Agricultural Practices (SAGAP) standard, and we are HACCP (Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Point) certified', Nyathi. 'For us, farming is not just about production, but we also ensure that we produce food that is healthy to consume, we minimise the use of agrochemicals, and in any way possible, we avoid them altogether', she adds.
