MultiChoice is expanding its business beyond the entertainment industry by buying the emergency help mobile app Namola for an amount that has not been made public, The operator, which already owns DStv, is extending its portfolio of offerings by expanding into other routes, and this acquisition is one of the ways it is doing so.
In a recent presentation at the annual showcase event of the company, CEO Calvo Mawela stated that even though MultiChoice began as a video entertainment business, the company quickly understood that it needed to do more. According to him, domestic safety is one of the many concerns that plague African countries, which is why the Namola app was purchased.
The emergency response app is MultiChoice’s first business that is not in the entertainment business. It links users who are in need with a network of responders for a variety of different types of emergencies. The app allows users to call the private, public, or medical response team that is vetted and located closest to their current location.
The app has an SOS button that lets the user describe the situation. The app then sends the user’s geolocation to the most appropriate emergency medical or security staff. Users have access to sensitive emergency services that deal with crime, fire, accidents, and medical emergencies, among other things.
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As of October 26th, 2022, DStv subscribers can add a subscription to Namola to their regular DStv payment. Users of the pay-TV provider will be required to pay an annual subscription fee that ranges from 29 South African rands ($2) for the solo package to 59 South African rands ($3.30) for the couples’ package and 99 South African rands ($5.6) for the family package.
Nyiko Shiburi, the CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, said, “Namola is part of our plan to offer a suite of consumer services that meet the needs of our customers and to grow our ecosystem beyond entertainment.”
When DStv Rewards subscribers register for Namola rewards through the MyDSTV app, they are eligible to get one free month of service for a couple or solo subscription or three free months of service for a family subscription.
MultiChoice is becoming more diverse
During the yearly showcase event that the company puts on, some important announcements were made, including the purchase of the Namola app by the pay-TV operator. Also, the company has introduced DStv Internet, a new Internet service provider that will work with Udemy to offer online training.
MultiChoice also wants to become a major player in Africa in terms of financial technology and services. Mawela further mentioned that 57% of African people had no bank account access.
“Moving into the realm of financial services presents us with a significant window of opportunity.” We integrate more than 200 different payment points in the many markets we operate in. “If we let our customers choose how to pay, we should see a big jump in sales,” he said.
The company said it would immediately lower the prices of DStv’s streaming-only package options along with all the other news.
New payment plan for DSTV users in South Africa
The pay-TV provider is giving customers who already have a good broadband connection at home an alternative to satellite service. This will keep these customers from paying more money to install a decoder and dish.
The monthly cost of the Premium streaming-only bundle was reduced from R829 (US$45.89) to R699 (US$38.69) in 2021. On the other hand, as of the most recent announcement made by the corporation, this price will now remain in effect permanently. Here is a list of the new, lower prices for the different ways to stream without a dish in South Africa:
There is a 16.7% price difference between DStv Premium, which costs R699 (US$38.69) per month, and satellite television, which costs R839 (US$465) per month.
DStv Compact Plus costs R469 (US$24.96) per month, whereas satellite television costs R549 (US$30.39) per month. This is a 14.6% decrease in cost.
The monthly cost of DStv Compact is R369 (US$20.43), which is 14% less than the monthly cost of satellite television, which is R429. (US$23.75).
DStv Family costs R269 (about $14.89) per month, whereas satellite costs R309 (approximately $17.11 per month). This is a saving of 12.9%.
The monthly cost of DStv Access is R99 (US$5.6), a 17.5% reduction from the monthly cost of satellite, which is R120 (US $6.65).