Telkom Enters SA Video-on-demand Fray

ShowMax and Telkom have entered into a partnership to provide users with zero-rated data for streaming content. The country’s biggest fixed-line telephone group said new and existing Telkom Summer Unlimited users will have unlimited data to stream content on ShowMax. By Staff Writer

Subscription video on demand (SVOD) is taking off globally, as about 100 million people are now using Internet-based services to watch series and movies. In South Africa, the adoption of SVOD has been relatively modest due in part to the availability of services and also concerns over data usage.

ShowMax, which can be viewed via smart TVs, laptops and desktop PCs, tablets, and smartphones, has the largest SVOD catalogue in Africa. With more than 20,000 episodes of TV series and movies adding up to around 12,000 hours of viewing, ShowMax’ video collection draws from local content, as well as international favourites from almost all major studios.

Telkom is also offering 30 days’ ShowMax access to all customers that sign up for the SmartHome Premium or Smartplan 100 plans from 7 December 2015 until the end of December 2015.

Existing Telkom fixed broadband customers can upgrade to a package with 10Mbps or above and subscribe to the Telkom Internet Uncapped Entertainment Service.

New Telkom fixed broadband customers can subscribe to Telkom’s SmartHome Premium package, which includes the Telkom Internet Uncapped Entertainment Service for 24 month. New mobile customers can subscribe to the Smart Plan 100 package which includes Unlimited Telkom data until 31 March 2016.

Telkom Consumer MD, Attila Vitai, said: “The move to video on demand is happening across the globe, and we think it’s going to change the way people experience shows and movies in South Africa. These Unlimited offerings will let Telkom customers immerse themselves without worrying about data usage or data costs.

“With Summer unlimited campaign in full swing, Telkom and ShowMax are the perfect combination to catch up on your favourite shows, discover new series and movies, and keep the family entertained.”

ShowMax is a division of JSE-listed technology and media group Naspers, which owns stakes in China’s Tencent and Russia’s Mail.Ru.