MultiChoice steps up crackdown on video streaming fraud
Starting March 22 DStv subscribers in Kenya and across Africa will be limited to streaming on one device at a time.
The new measure comes as entertainment giant MultiChoice doubles efforts to check rising video streaming fraud across the continent.
According to MultiChoice, the move is also aimed at checking revenue loss through customers, who resell their viewing rights or give them to others for a song.
“Password sharing and piracy are challenges for streaming providers globally,” MultiChoice said.
“As part of our ongoing efforts to counteract password sharing and piracy, while continuing to bring you the best viewing experience, we will be introducing measures to limit concurrent streaming,” the company said.
Besides seeking to limit access of its international and local content to millions of its loyal customers, the decision will also enable the company step up the war on piracy of its products and services.
MultiChoice’s entertainment platforms – DStv, GOtv and Showmax – are a hub for over 20 million people across 50 countries in Africa.
Through the deployment of infrastructure and investments in Africa’s film and TV industry to enable content generation, the company has given rise to thousands of direct jobs as well as contributed to the economies of many countries.
The company runs MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a platform where creative industry players in Africa learn the latest film-making skills.
MTF has trained over 200 students in the last six years and tens of the graduates now own their own and run their creative production companies.
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“Small businesses are the lifeblood of African economies and MultiChoice is committed to supporting the growth and development of entrepreneurs,” Multichoice’s enriching lives, connecting people, Social Impact report 2021 notes in part.
In Kenya, the value pumped by MultiChoice in the industry value chain of distributors, installers, and ancillary suppliers including distribution of devices and transmission masts is on average over $203.6 million. At least 200 agents have been contracted by the company to sell decoders alone.
Previously, MultiChoice DStv subscribers were able to watch live TV on up to four different devices simultaneously in addition to their TV set connected to a signal decoder.
Starting March 22, however, a second user will only be able to watch pre-downloaded content while the registered user is streaming.
The change won’t affect viewing on decoders, therefore DStv customers can still watch on up to three decoders on a single subscription using XtraView, in conjunction with one viewer on a streaming device.
MultiChoice’s video-on-demand service, Showmax, subscribers will, however, not be affected by the change.
