eMedia Holdings has revealed future plans for its eVOD streaming service, following a significant viewer adoption report.
Launched in August 2021, it has registered 1.13 million users, according to the company’s annual report for the 2024 financial year.
While eMedia has not disclosed the number of active eVOD users, the report highlighted a 19% increase in watch time over the 2023 financial year, reaching a total of 1.3 billion minutes. Looking ahead, eMedia plans to expand its applications for smart TVs, enhancing the service’s accessibility and user experience.
The eVOD platform, featuring both free and subscription-based components, was introduced to compete with other streaming giants in South Africa, such as Showmax and Netflix. The service offers a variety of local programming, including original series and movies produced by eMedia.
For the current financial year, which extends to March 2025, eMedia has outlined several growth strategies. These include expanding the availability of eVOD on smart TVs, launching new content via OpenView’s internet-connected set-top box, and introducing innovative advertising formats like live-stream advertising and display banner ads within programming.
In its report, eMedia boldly described eVOD as the “Netflix of South Africa,” though competitors like Showmax and Netflix might contest this claim. The platform primarily features e.tv’s local content in a video-on-demand format, catering to South African audiences with a rich selection of regional programming.
