The streaming revolution has well and truly taken hold in Kenya, with a growing number of streaming services in Kenya battling it out for viewers’ attention (and subscription fees). From global giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to local upstarts like Viusasa, the Kenyan market has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to streaming content these days.
While Netflix may be the global juggernaut, several other major players have staked their claim in the Kenyan market, each with their own unique content offerings and pricing plans. In this article, we’ll break down the major players in the Kenyan edition of the streaming wars.
Netflix
The pioneer of streaming that needs no introduction, Netflix has built a huge Kenyan subscriber base since launching here in 2016. The online video-on-demand subscription service offers subscribers a vast library of content, including films, TV shows, documentaries, children’s content, trivia, and video games.
According to a report published in 2021, Netflix had approximately 2.6 million subscribers across Africa, with Kenya accounting for 3.9% of this total, which equates to a little over 100,000 subscribers.
A great deal of Netflix’s popularity stems from its user-friendly sign-up process, flexible cancellation options, and absence of hidden charges. We’d also be remiss if we didn’t include its unmatched original content and the growing catalog of Kenyan films and shows. However, its lack of live sports could be a dealbreaker for some, but for Kenyans, it rarely is.
Netflix offers four different plans, namely:
- Mobile Plan: Priced at Ksh 200/month, it provides good video quality in SD (480p), ad-free viewing on phones and tablets (excluding computers and TVs), and downloads on one device.
- Basic Plan: At Ksh 300/month, it offers good video quality in HD (720p), ad-free viewing on phones, tablets, computers, and TVs, and downloads on one device.
- Standard Plan: Costing Ksh 700/month, this plan provides great video quality in Full HD (1080p), ad-free viewing on various devices, and downloads on two devices.
- Premium Plan: For Ksh 1,100/month, it offers ultra HD (4K) and HDR quality with spatial audio, ad-free viewing on multiple devices, and downloads on six devices.
To sign up for Netflix, users need an email account and a payment method, which can include a credit/debit card or M-PESA GlobalPay. Netflix is also compatible with nearly any internet-connected device.
What You Can Watch: Stranger Things, Squid Game, Ozark, The Witcher, Narcos, Sincerely Daisy, Morning After, Country Queen, Disconnect, The Bahati Empire
Showmax
Operating in Kenya since October 2016, Showmax is a streaming service launched by MultiChoice, the South African company that owns DSTV and Gotv. Showmax is now the most subscribed streaming platform in Africa, boasting a 38.7% market share compared to Netflix’s 33.5%.
Showmax’s success in Kenya can be credited to its partnerships with leading TV networks such as HBO, allowing it to offer premium entertainment content. However, its vast catalog of local content and sports offerings, particularly Premier League matches, has largely driven its popularity in Kenya.
After recently joining the Comcast family, Showmax rebranded and now offers five different plans:
- Showmax Entertainment Mobile: Ksh 300/month
- Showmax Premier League: Ksh 500/month
- Showmax Entertainment: Ksh 650/month
- Showmax Entertainment Mobile + Premier League: Ksh 700/month
- Showmax Entertainment + Premier League: Ksh 1,000/month
Showmax Entertainment includes films, TV shows, and Showmax Originals for TV and mobile devices, while the mobile version is limited to one mobile device. As for Showmax Premier League, subscribers get to watch Premier League games live on SuperSport.
Showmax is compatible with most internet-enabled devices, including smart TVs and gaming consoles. Subscribers can register up to five devices and stream on any two simultaneously. However, unlike Netflix, Showmax does not offer 4K content.
What You Can Watch: Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, Succession, The Last of Us, Single Kiasi, Njoro wa Uba, The Real Housewives of Nairobi, County 49, Crime and Justice
Prime Video
Prime Video, Amazon’s on-demand streaming platform, has been a mainstay in the Kenyan market since its launch in December 2016. Owned by the American e-commerce giant, the Netflix rival has a little something for everyone, including TV shows, sports content, movies, and cartoons for kids, thus presenting itself as a compelling alternative for Kenyan subscribers.
Prime Video only has one single plan, which costs Ksh 560 per month and comes with a 7-day free trial. Though Prime Video lags behind when it comes to its offerings of local content, the streaming platform provides 4K content, which is more than can be said for Showmax.
What You Can Watch: The Boys, Reacher, The Expanse, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Fleabag, Fallout, The Terminal List
YouTube
YouTube, the Google-owned video-sharing platform, is the second most visited website in the world, with over 2.5 billion monthly users. It has become the go-to platform for content creators and up-and-coming filmmakers due to its vast accessibility and popularity.
YouTube is home to a wide variety of content, including popular local shows like Sarah Hassan’s Plan B and Eddie Butita’s comedy series, A Nurse Toto. The platform’s biggest draw is the free-to-watch model, since users don’t even need a Google account to watch content.
Since the platform comes with ads, users seeking an ad-free experience can upgrade to YouTube Premium, which is available in three plans:
- Student: Ksh 289/month (verification required)
- Individual: Ksh 489/month
- Family: Ksh 949/month (up to 5 family members)
Viusasa
Launched in 2018 by Royal Media Services, Viusasa is a Kenyan subscription video-on-demand service. Its appeal to content creators and affordability has made it one of Kenya’s biggest streaming platforms. Viusasa’s packages are divided into three categories:
- Music: Ksh 15/day, Ksh 75/week, or Ksh 200/month
- Videos: Ksh 20/day, Ksh 100/week, or Ksh 300/month
- Music and Videos: Ksh 30/day, Ksh 150/week, or Ksh 450/month
Honorable Mentions: Airtel TV, Hungama Play, Mubi
What About Streaming Devices?
Nowadays, smart TVs typically come preloaded with streaming services like Netflix and Showmax. However, if you happen to own a “dumb TV” or the streaming service you want is not available on your TV, a streaming device can help you bridge that gap.
These devices allow you to stream video and other content from the internet using apps like Netflix, Prime Video, Showmax, and even Spotify. Breaking down these different devices is a topic for another day, but if you wish to get one of these, you can spring for the Chromecast With Google TV or the Amazon Fire TV Stick. If money is no object, don’t hesitate to go for the high-end NVIDIA Shield TV Pro.
Verdict
So, which streaming service deserves your hard-earned money? For most Kenyan households seeking a balanced mix of affordable pricing and diverse content from both global hits to local gems, Showmax’s combination of originals, sports, and reasonable pricing makes it arguably the best overall option right now.
Netflix’s higher price tag is justifiable for die-hard fans of its unbeatable original series, and a similar case can be made for Prime Video, which offers equally great originals for much less.
