STREAMING vs DStv THANKS TO ADVANCEMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY AND INCREASED INTERNET ACCESS, STREAMING IS STARTING TO LOOK LIKE A VIABLE ENTERTAINMENT SOLUTION. LUMKA NOFEMELE WEIGHS UP THE OPTIONS.

QUICK CONFESSION: I love TV. I doubt that I would survive too long without a regular a non-starter for many consumers. dose of TV series, movies and soccer; everything that DStv has to ofer, basically. Topping the list of alternatives is But it is 2017 and I am a millennial, so of course binge-watching from my laptop at Netfix. Ofering endless hours of movies odd hours of the day holds a certain appeal. and TV series, including its own original Te continued roll-out of high-speed Internet connectivity worldwide is driving content, Netfix revolutionised the way a change in viewing habits. Tis, paired with the cost of DStv premium having risen we watch TV shows. No longer having to a not inconsiderable R789 a month, has led a host of viewers towards video-on- to wait a week for the next episode and demand services. being able to watch a series at any time, Still, you have to question if streaming services are worth it. Particularly given that on any device, has – for many people – the high cost of data in South Africa must make the switch from DStv to streaming killed the need for a decoder.

56 www.popularmechanics.co.za _ JULY 2017 If Netf ix lacks anything, aside from live local content that consumers here expect. sports, it is local content. Importantly, we’re bringing this in at an Enter ShowMax. ShowMax is Netf ix’s attractive price, and doing this across more biggest competitor in South Africa, pro- devices than ever before,” says ShowMax viding both international and local shows general manager John Kotsaftis. and movies. ShowMax has content adding ShowMax, like Netf ix and other stream- up to more than a year’s continuous view- ing services, of ers a seven-day trial period. ing of series, movies, documentaries, a T is includes free access to the entire library wide selection of children’s shows, and an to test the service. array of classics with complete box sets Digital Entertainment on Demand of erings of heavyweight series such as (DEOD) is a newer streaming option. Entourage and Game of T rones. “Viewers today want freedom of choice. “T e ongoing change in viewing habits T ey want customisable, af ordable access has given us the opportunity to build a to movies, news, sports, music and TV video on demand powerhouse to feed the series wherever they are,” says Discover marathon-viewing trend. We’ve got all the Digital managing director Stephen Watson. best content from Hollywood and beyond, “Our disruptive new model breaks the tra- but at the same time we also have the ditional broadcast and the pay TV mould

NETFLIX SHOWMAX AMAZON DEOD

13 Reasons Why, Narcos, The Winx club, MUST SEE Younger, Rockville, Isibaya, American Gods, Transparent, Strange Things, Sense 8, 6teen, Fairly Odd Game Of Thrones and Mr Mozart in The Jungle and The Chewing Gum and The Parents and Baku- SHOWS Robot. Grand Tour. Get Down. gan Battle Brawlers.

R106 – R160. The higher R99 a month. R40 a month introductory R49 a month for the COST PER the cost, the more screens fee for six months. The fee news package. STOCKPHOTO/NOSUA i you can watch and can go up to R146 after the Going up to R189 MONTH download content on. six-month period. for the premium package. POPCORN:

JULY 2017 _ www.popularmechanics.co.za 57 by letting viewers choose the channel using the lowest amount of data. Known category packages they want and what as Adaptive Bit Rate streaming, it takes into subscription models they prefer.” consideration your line speed, consumption DEOD has an advantage over other of data on the line and the capabilities of streaming services, in that it provides your device to ensure you receive the best sports content. Te DEOD Sports Network possible quality viewing experience. delivers world sports news, covering major For example, if you are watching a show sports championships and leagues allowing from your mobile device in a poor Internet viewers to catch up on daily short news connection area, DEOD will automatically stories, and interviews on-demand. It might adapt the bit-rate stream to suit your not be as comprehensive as DStv’s ofering, environment so you can continue watching but it is a start. uninterrupted. When your environment Prime Video, a property of Amazon.com, and line improve, so will the speed and is live in 200 countries but is still fnding quality of the content being served up. form of DStv Now. Premium subscribers its feet in South Africa. Like ShowMax and Tat said, watching one movie will still can watch 60 channels or binge watch up Netfix, the website includes ofine down- cost viewers an average of 900 MB to 1 GB. to 2 000 movies and series on the DStv loads and a seven-day free trial. Amazon Te faster the line speed and the higher the Now app.” also provides exclusive original content. quality of the visuals, the higher the data Online? App? You heard right: “We no With all of this content available online, consumption. Given the price of data or longer just classify ourselves as a satellite going the streaming route seems a no-brain- monthly Wi-Fi charges, streaming could channel,” Cummings says. “DStv Now is er. However, we have to take into account end up costing the same amount as DStv. available on up to fve devices. But if our South Africa’s context. Internet access is a What does the satellite TV giant think subscribers choose to use streaming services luxury for most people in the country and about the competition? Te group general to supplement what we ofer, that is great; data is still extremely expensive. manager for DStv digital media, Graeme it is not a competition.” To ensure a consistent, quality stream Cummings, believes that streaming and It may not be a competition for them, and a great viewing experience, especially DStv are not in competition. Instead, he but for consumers, it is not so easy. If TV if you have more than one user sharing the says, the two media can not only live togeth- isn’t your obsession, you could easily survive line or multiple devices streaming at one er, they can even complement each other. without either. But if internet access is time, you will need an internet connection “We can co-exist with streaming services not too costly for you, then streaming is with a minimum speed of 4 Mbps. while also providing online platforms for your best bet. If you’re more like me, So what if you don’t have that? Fear not: our customers,” says Cummings. “DStv though, and need a full entertainment DEOD has tried to curtail the data problem ofers sports and local exclusives that can’t experience at all times without having to by using advanced technology that helps be found on any streaming service and worry about additional data costs, then ensure you receive the best quality image we ofer our own online platform in the DStv is the way to go. PM

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