Tyla’s Showmax concert to reach millions more on DStv. Picture: Supplied
Tyla’s sold-out concert at the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, now available on Showmax, is a pioneering moment for African entertainment.
The platform's live stream reached 44 countries, setting a new standard for local streaming services. This success demonstrates the potential for African streaming platforms to compete globally, especially in delivering live entertainment content.
To extend the concert's reach, Showmax has made it available on-demand from Thursday, January 30. Additionally, the concert will air on DStv’s “Mzansi Wethu” (channel 163) on Saturday, February 1, at 8.30pm, with a repeat on Tuesday, February 4 at 4pm.
“Mzansi Wethu” is included in all DStv packages from Access and up, further expanding its accessibility, ensuring that fans who missed the live event can still experience the show.
This accomplishment contrasts sharply with Netflix's recent failed attempt to live-stream the “Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson” fight, which faced significant technical issues, including widespread buffering.
Approximately 90,000 viewers reported outages leading up to the fight, underscoring the complexities involved in live streaming at scale.
However, while the stream was free from buffering issues, some viewers reported concerns about the audio quality during Tyla's concert broadcast.
We reached out to Showmax for comment regarding the issues.
Showmax responded: “There were no sound issues reported on the technical side. Anyone who's been to a live concert has heard someone complain about the sound at some stage, as live music comes with multiple variables, so you don't have as much control as in a studio.
“Less than 1% of the commentary about the livestream on social media mentioned sound issues, and 99.99% of the social media feedback was positive, so we're confident our viewers had as good a time as the concert-goers did.”
Yatish Narsi, Chief Marketing Officer for MultiChoice and Showmax South Africa, emphasised the importance of this achievement, calling it a “game-changer” for African artists.
"Scaling to support viewers across multiple countries required extensive preparation and coordination, showcasing what’s possible when local platforms push the boundaries of technology."
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, highlighted the broader implications, saying, “Tyla is leading the way, but if Showmax continues to spotlight our talent, more African artists will gain the visibility they deserve, both continentally and globally.”
The success of Tyla’s live-streamed concert opens doors for more African artists to showcase their talent on an international stage.