South Africa-based MTN Group announced on Monday it is getting into the video streaming business via a new partnership with UK-based video software provider Synamedia to develop a new streaming platform for mobile and fixed broadband subscribers across Africa.
The new streaming service will use Synamedia’s cloud-based technologies to deliver linear broadcast television and video-on-demand content. The platform will enable seamless content management and personalised recommendations, and will be built for reliability and scalability, MTN said.
MTN added that the platform will also be designed to support various monetisation models, including subscriptions, ad-supported content, and free streaming channels with targeted advertising, depending on local market requirements.
Meanwhile, the video content itself can be curated for different markets based on local cultures, languages, and viewing habits, MTN said.
“We see a unique opportunity to transform video consumption in Africa with high-quality, accessible, and relevant content,” said MTN group chief commercial officer Selorm Adadevoh in a statement. “This partnership enables us to leverage cutting-edge technology and deep customer insights to enhance entertainment experiences and drive digital inclusion.”
Synamedia CEO Paul Segre said the platform will enable smartphone owners across Africa to watch linear TV and on-demand video on their devices.
“By taking advantage of the breadth of our integrated, cloud-based portfolio to quickly deploy new services at scale, MTN will be able to create a groundbreaking set of offerings for customers and viewers that will drive new revenues,” he said.
According to news agency Ecofin, the move is MTN Group’s latest move to diversify its revenue streams, following recent moves into areas such as data centres and digital advertising.
Video streaming is already a lucrative business across the continent. MTN rival Airtel Africa has been offering its own video streaming platform, Airtel TV, since 2020. Statista is projecting streaming market revenues across Africa to hit US$5.4 million at the end of this year, and grow to US$$7.1 million by 2029.
