Broadcasting
28.1% Growth Rate, S-VOD Marketing Growing After Pay TV-Gartner
While pay TV is the biggest segment of the overall consumer video services market, accounting for 96.3 percent of total spending in 2014 and 94.2 percent by 2018, Gartner said that subscription video on demand (S-VOD) is a growing market.
Speaking on the trend the current and future state of the S-VOD market and how consumers’ behaviors may impact this type of service, Fernando Elizalde, principal research analyst at Gartner, said that of all the video media services that consumers pay directly to the service provider, the over-the-top S-VOD services have the strongest growth potential.
Gartner expects consumer spending on S-VOD services to grow 28.1 percent in 2014 and 18.2 percent in 2015.
He said that there are regional differences driven by the maturity of the S-VOD market itself, including availability of providers and content, the readiness of the broadband infrastructure and the consumer’s ability and willingness to pay.
While North America and Western Europe will drive overall spending on S-VOD services, they are the slowest growing markets globally – spending on S-VOD services in North America is on pace to grow 28.5 percent in 2014 and in Western Europe spending is expected to increase 18.6 percent.
In the emerging regions, where this type of services is more novel, we estimate S-VOD spending will grow 53 percent in 2014.
In Africa, particularly Nigeria, broadband availability and affordability are part of issues seeking solutions.
On the impact on pay-TV services, Elizalde, said that, S-VOD will not displace pay-TV services as a whole.
“It is, and will be, complementary to traditional pay-TV services such as cable TV, satellite TV or IPTV. Yet, consumers will increasingly spend less in additional premium services from the pay-TV provider and divert the spending to S-VOD.
“However, there will be a small segment of the population, particularly those who are starting a new household and haven’t yet subscribed to pay-TV services, which will only rely on online access to video and TV content.
Speaking on how much consumers spend on average on S-VOD and how often do they buy S-VOD, he said, Gartner estimates that households spend anywhere between $6 and almost $10 on average per subscription worldwide.
“The spending varies somewhat regionally with emerging Greater China, Sub-Saharan and Asia Pacific countries paying the least per subscription. Gartner estimates that “technology enthusiast” households, in other words, early adopters, are already subscribing to multiple S-VOD services in mature markets. In fact, technology enthusiasts in the US spend on average $15 a month on S-VOD services, while the same group in Germany spends $17.
On content provisioning, he said, “iTunes, Amazon and Netflix are doing well as their services become available in European countries. Before Netflix’s latest expansion into Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and Switzerland, the company already amassed a subscription based of nearly 5 million customers in Western Europe.
“We also saw that within two weeks of service, Netflix allured around 100 thousand subscribers in France, with the first month being free. In addition, the entrance of international service providers fosters service awareness, competition and better services for the consumers”.
In Nigeria, music and Nollywood contents are trending among the youths too.
“From a content point of view, some of the content from international S-VOD service providers needs to be in local language to appeal to a broader audience, but it is not a necessity. In addition, the availability of European content is enforced by the European Audio Visual Media Service Directive.
“The directive requires the service providers to promote the production of European content and its access, by contributing financially to the production of European content, or by reserving a share and/or prominence for European content in their catalogue. Yet, not all countries have enforced this directive,” he said.
Mr. Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, took centre stage at the Nigerian Information Technology Reporters’ Association (NITRA) annual end-of-year meeting on Thursday, December 18, 2025, recounting the company’s remarkable growth and reaffirming free IT training for journalists.
Tim Akano, New Horizons Chief Executive Officer, in a group photograph with NITRA Members
Speaking directly to IT media members at the company’s training facility in Lagos, Akano acknowledged the critical role journalists played in supporting New Horizons during its formative years two decades ago.
He detailed how the firm evolved from a handful of staff to one of Africa’s leading ICT skills training organisations, now employing about 500 staff across multiple training centres nationwide.
Akano Spotlights Youth Training, University Partnerships
Akano highlighted that New Horizons has trained over 500,000 youths, particularly tertiary institution students, equipping them with practical IT skills essential for Nigeria’s digital economy.
He announced recent partnerships with universities, including a new agreement with Afe Babalola University, to scale hands-on training programmes for students.
“This growth would not have been possible without the media’s support in documenting our journey,” Akano stated, pledging continued free IT skills training for media members to remain competitive in the evolving digital landscape.
Reciprocal Support Defines Long-Standing Partnership
The venue hosting the NITRA meeting underscored Akano’s generosity; NITRA Secretary Chidiebere Nwankwo secured the free facility after contacting him—a gesture consistent with New Horizons hosting multiple association events and training IT journalists since its inception 20 years ago.
Participants shared personal testimonies of Akano’s support, including veteran journalist Aaron Ukodie, whose daughter—an Accounting graduate from the University of Johannesburg—received NYSC placement and IT scholarship at New Horizons.
The Guardian’s Yemi Adeyemi recounted Akano accommodating his editor’s child for mandatory IT training after other firms declined.
Members praised Akano’s commitment to human capital development as evidence of deep appreciation for the media community that chronicled New Horizons’ success over two decades.
National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has launched the NIMC Pre-Enrolment Portal to revolutionise the National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment process, enabling applicants within Nigeria and in the Diaspora to capture biodata online prior to biometric verification at enrolment centres.
NIMC
Accessible via penrol.nimc.gov.ng, the platform allows users to fill enrolment forms, schedule appointments, upload supporting documents securely, and manage personal details directly, thereby slashing congestion, minimising wait times, boosting data accuracy and enhancing overall service efficiency at centres nationwide.
NIMC Director-General and CEO, Engr. (Dr) Abisoye Coker-Odusote, spearheaded the initiative as part of the Commission’s technology-driven strategy to fortify institutional performance, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda that emphasises digital transformation, efficient public service delivery and inclusive national development.
Dr Kayode Adegoke, Head of Corporate Communications, highlighted key benefits including simplified biodata handling, confidential data protection through robust security measures, reduced physical centre visits and heightened operational effectiveness, urging all prospective enrollees to adopt the portal for a faster, citizen-friendly experience.[conversation_history]
The move underscores NIMC’s mandate under the NIMC Act No. 23 of 2007 to manage the National Identity Database, issue NINs and foster a reliable digital identity ecosystem vital for national planning, with users advised to complete pre-enrolment online before heading to selected centres for biometrics.
MultiChoice Talent Factory (MTF), a Pan-African film and television training institution, has announced the opening of applications for its 2026 intake.
MultiChoice
The fully funded programme is open to African graduates aspiring to become directors, filmmakers, scriptwriters, producers and storytellers.
According to MultiChoice, the nine-month accredited curriculum combines online learning with intensive in-person training, and is designed to balance theoretical knowledge with practical immersion.
MTF academies are located in Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia, and serve aspiring filmmakers from 14 African countries. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has trained 296 filmmakers, with graduates producing more than 42 movies aired on DStv, GOtv and Showmax platforms.
Organisers said alumni of the programme have gone on to establish over 50 production companies, while many continue to work within the MultiChoice ecosystem.
Graduates have also won accolades at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Kalasha Awards, Uganda Film Festival and Women in Film Awards.
Applications for the 2026 intake close on Feb. 27, 2026. Interested candidates can visit https://apo-opa.co/3XW53oE for programme requirements.
How Moniepoint’s Founders, Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike are Redefining African Tech and Finance
Ecobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period
Banks quietly move to enforce new ₦50 transfer levy from Jan. 1
Nigeria’s Internet Usage Hits 1.24m Terabytes – NCC
World Bank Reveals Obstacles to Growth of Mobile Money Accounts in Sub-Saharan Africa
Nigeria Records Highest Weekly Cyberattacks in Africa — Report
Cyber Tsunami Hits Nigeria as Breaches Surge 1,047%, esentry Q3 Report Reveals
Minister Claims Bandits Exploit Poor Network, Bounce Calls Off Multiple Towers
Financial Sector Faced AI, Blockchain and Organised Crime Threats in 2025 – Report
GenAI Adoption Among African workers Outpace Global Peers
E-Financial1 day agoBanks quietly move to enforce new ₦50 transfer levy from Jan. 1
Telecom2 days agoNigeria’s Internet Usage Hits 1.24m Terabytes – NCC
General News1 day agoEcobank Guarantees Seamless Digital Banking Services Throughout the Christmas and Year-End Period
News20 hours agoHow Moniepoint’s Founders, Tosin Eniolorunda and Felix Ike are Redefining African Tech and Finance