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The main challenge in building an African Netflix is not technology, it's having critical mass in terms of video content, as well as having at least a couple an

by mtw 8y ago

The main challenge in building an African Netflix is not technology, it's having critical mass in terms of video content, as well as having at least a couple anchor series that cannot be seen absolutely anywhere else. Netflix has Stranger Things, Marvel series such as Daredevil that creates a lot of social media noise. Once customers watch those, then they discover the smaller series and get hooked on Netflix.

mc32 8y ago
I think you’re right with respect to catalogue size, but original/exclusive content helps them grow their business, but they started out way different while being successful at essentially distribution and ease of use.
budu3 8y ago
iRoku TV seems to have been successful in becoming the Netflix of Africa
vezycash 8y ago
The continent is still mostly cash based. Trust is low for online purchases. Do not worry about content. It's being created on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for free - they monetize via ads and sponsorship deals. There's just one success story for Nigeria iroko.ng - this however targets foreign based Africans who are used to paying online and for whom - per movie is nothing. According to what I hear, Iroko is highly selective and only allows quality movies on its site. Because of this, some producers upped their quality level and sold exclusively via the site. They recently branched into original content - 2 years ago.
- 1024core 8y ago
  > The continent is still mostly cash based. Have you heard of MPESA ?
  - vezycash 8y ago
    Keyword is mostly. According to Google, M-Pesa is in 7 African countries - Kenya, Tanzania, Lesotho, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mozambique & Egypt. I don't know about the other countries but I lived in Ghana for about 5 years and I can assure you M-PESA's a shadow there. Vodafone and MTN are the kings of Mobile money in Ghana. But even in Ghana, cash is still the undisputed champion. The growth of mobile money there has slowed down dramatically because of registration requirements and operator fees.

by mtw 8y ago

mc32 8y ago

I think you’re right with respect to catalogue size, but original/exclusive content helps them grow their business, but they started out way different while being successful at essentially distribution and ease of use.

budu3 8y ago

iRoku TV seems to have been successful in becoming the Netflix of Africa

vezycash 8y ago

The continent is still mostly cash based. Trust is low for online purchases. Do not worry about content. It's being created on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube for free - they monetize via ads and sponsorship deals. There's just one success story for Nigeria iroko.ng - this however targets foreign based Africans who are used to paying online and for whom - per movie is nothing. According to what I hear, Iroko is highly selective and only allows quality movies on its site. Because of this, some producers upped their quality level and sold exclusively via the site. They recently branched into original content - 2 years ago.

1024core 8y ago
> The continent is still mostly cash based. Have you heard of MPESA ?
- vezycash 8y ago
  Keyword is mostly. According to Google, M-Pesa is in 7 African countries - Kenya, Tanzania, Lesotho, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mozambique & Egypt. I don't know about the other countries but I lived in Ghana for about 5 years and I can assure you M-PESA's a shadow there. Vodafone and MTN are the kings of Mobile money in Ghana. But even in Ghana, cash is still the undisputed champion. The growth of mobile money there has slowed down dramatically because of registration requirements and operator fees.