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Global Telco, Pay-TV Spend Up 2.4 Percent in 2024-  IDC

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Global spending on telecommunications and pay-TV services will reach $1,544 billion in 2024, representing an increase of 2.4 per cent year-on-year, according to the Worldwide Semiannual Telecom Services Tracker published by International Data Corporation (IDC).

Global Telco, Pay-TV Spend Up 2.4 Percent in 2024-  IDC

The latest prediction is 1.0 percentage points higher than the version published in the May edition of IDC’s Tracker.

If that forecast becomes reality, the above-mentioned annual growth rate would be the highest recorded in the last twelve years.

The above-average positive revisions of the forecast apply to the regions of the Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Latin America.

This is mainly a consequence of hyperinflation in countries such as Turkey, Egypt, Nigeria and Argentina, in which it has become usual to see average revenue per user (ARPU) figures growing by more than 50 per cent on a yearly basis.

Conversely, the outlook for the markets of Europe and Asia Pacific has been slightly downgraded, mainly due to the deteriorating economic climate in key countries such as Germany and China.

The expectations for the North America have not changed much between the two tracker updates, apart from a minor positive revision in Canada’s market.

The analysis by type of telecom services confirms that the well-known trends persist despite the changes in top-line forecasts.

Mobile remains the largest segment, driven by the growth in mobile data usage and M2M applications, which is offsetting declines in spending on mobile voice and messaging services.

The fixed data services segment will continue growing, driven by the need for higher bandwidth. Spending on fixed voice services will be dropping over the forecast period as the rapidly declining TDM voice revenues are not being offset by the increase in IP voice.

The traditional pay-TV market will decline slightly over the forecast period due to the growing popularity of VoD and OTT, but these services will remain an important part of the multi-play offerings of telecom providers across the world.

The global connectivity services market is expected to maintain a positive outlook over the next five years, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2 per cent.

The overall economic climate is expected to improve as the key central banks in the US and Europe will continue decreasing their reference interest rates.

Inflation will continue declining, which will have a positive impact on the purchasing power of the population.

The negative elements of the forecasting puzzle will include saturation of the telecom services markets in major countries, as well as the unstable political situation in some regions, particularly Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Additional risks are related to the potential shifts of economic policies related to the new US government that might lead to the rebirth of protectionism.

IDC’s latest forecast is more optimistic than its previous one. However, even in this scenario, the growth of the connectivity services market is expected to remain sluggish, prompting operators to seek additional revenue streams.

“There are quite a few promising areas in which operators could expect solid returns. These include fibre optics, IoT, UCaaS, SD-WAN, digital services, LEO satellite services, cloud services, IT security services, network APIs and network sharing, and 5G-advanced,” commented Kresimir Alic, research director with Worldwide Telecom Services at IDC.

“These companies should also increase the pace of digitalisation and software-isation of their business processes, create new go-to-market strategies based on data and intelligence, and deploy innovative business models based on telco-as-a-platform and co-creation within ecosystems.

“Essentially, telecom operators should aim for a complete transformation — from traditional commodity service providers to modern, full-stack technology suppliers. This transformation should position them as leaders in the digital transformation revolution, potentially securing a central role in the new digitalised world,” Alic concluded.


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What Adekunle Gold’s Support Means for ‘The Gathering on 100

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Popular Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold has lent his support to the growing youth-driven movement behind The Gathering on 100, further amplifying conversations around what is fast becoming one of the most talked-about upcoming experiences among young Nigerians.

What Adekunle Gold’s Support Means for ‘The Gathering on 100

Adekunle Gold

Known for his music and his strong connection with youth culture and evolving creative expression, Adekunle Gold’s involvement signals a deeper alignment between the event and the kind of audience it is attracting, a generation that is bold, expressive, and constantly redefining what community looks like.

While details of his involvement remain understated, his visible support adds a new layer of support and cultural relevance to the movement. In a landscape where attention is currency, endorsements from artists of his stature often act as a signal, drawing more eyes, more curiosity, and ultimately, more participation, but beyond visibility, the significance lies in what it represents.

The new father has, over the years, built a reputation for embracing creativity in its many forms, from music to visual storytelling, fashion, and digital engagement. His brand has consistently resonated with young Nigerians navigating similar spaces of self-expression and identity.

From interactive experiences like live music sessions and open performance moments to fashion runways and content creation spaces, the event is designed to blur the lines between audience and participant. It invites attendees to move beyond observation and become part of the moment.

This is a concept that closely mirrors the kind of cultural shift Adekunle Gold has been part of, one where boundaries between creator and consumer continue to dissolve.

His support also reflects a broader trend within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where artists are increasingly engaging with youth-led initiatives that go beyond traditional performances. Rather than simply appearing on stage, they are aligning with movements that foster community, creativity, and shared experience.

For fans and attendees, this adds another dimension to what The Gathering on 100 represents.

As registrations increase and conversations expand across social platforms, the movement is gradually taking shape through the collective interest of those drawn to it.

Head to gathering.com to register.


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INEC Warns Broadcasters against Misinformation ahead of 2027 Polls

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Prof. Joash Amupitan, chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged broadcast organisations in Nigeria to exercise greater responsibility in the dissemination of information as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Warns Broadcasters against Misinformation ahead of 2027 Polls

Amupitan made the call on Wednesday, while addressing participants at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), where he highlighted the growing influence of the media in shaping electoral processes.

He noted that the information environment has become increasingly significant in modern elections, warning that the spread of false or misleading information through broadcast channels could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.

According to the INEC chairman, media organisations must ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly those relating to  political broadcasting. Politics

He explained that the law requires equitable access to broadcast platforms for all registered political parties, stressing that fairness in media coverage is essential to maintaining a level playing field during elections.

“With 22 registered political parties, fairness in airtime allocation and coverage is a legal obligation,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chairman also cautioned broadcasters against airing content that contains abusive, inflammatory, or divisive language capable of inciting ethnic, religious, or sectional tensions.

Such broadcasts, he said, could threaten national unity and disrupt the electoral process if not properly managed.

Amupitan further reminded media organisations about the 24-hour cooling-off period mandated by law before election day, during which all political campaigns and advertisements must cease.

He explained that the measure is intended to provide voters with time to reflect on their choices without being influenced by last-minute campaign messaging.

While acknowledging the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, Amupitan emphasised that the right must be exercised within the limits of the law.

He noted that the airwaves are a public resource and must therefore be used responsibly to ensure fairness, balance, and equal access for all political actors.

The INEC chairman also pointed to the collaborative roles of INEC and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in regulating political broadcasting, although he acknowledged that certain challenges persist.

These challenges, he said, include regulatory overlaps, gaps in enforcement, and the increasing convergence of traditional broadcast media with digital platforms, which has made monitoring political communication more complex.

Amupitan also expressed concern over perceived incumbency advantages in state-owned broadcast stations and the growing commercialisation of political airtime, warning that these practices could disadvantage smaller political parties. Politics

To address these concerns, he called for stronger collaboration between regulatory agencies, clearer guidelines on equal access to media platforms, and improved systems for fact-checking and verification.

He also advocated increased transparency in political advertising, including the disclosure of sponsorship and pricing structures.

Amupitan urged broadcasters to prioritise accuracy and professionalism in their operations, encouraging them to verify information before dissemination and play an active role in combating fake news.

He also called on the media to contribute to voter education and civic mobilisation, noting that public participation is vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.

Reaffirming the commission’s commitment to transparency, the INEC chairman advised media organisations to rely on official INEC communication channels for verified electoral information.

He added that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend not only on electoral logistics and technology but also on the integrity of the country’s information environment.


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Multichoice Bleeds Customers in South Africa, Loses 580,000 Subscribers

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Rising cost of living, currency depreciation, and competition from streaming services have all conspired to see MultiChoice lose 589,000 South African subscribers in its latest financial year.

Multichoice Bleeds Customers in South Africa, Loses 580,000 Subscribers

The decline is across premium, mid-market and mass segments of its operation.

After completing its acquisition of MultiChoice, Canal+ has moved to stabilise the business.

MultiChoice’s new leadership under David Mignot, CEO,  hopes to “stop the bleeding and get back to growth”.

The new leadership has scrapped DStv’s annual price increase and decided to shut down Showmax, the in-house streaming platform that struggled to compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Canal+execs have described Showmax as unsuccessful, noting that the difficult transition to online streaming, combined with currency devaluation in Nigeria and power cuts, had hurt MultiChoice’s profitability.

MultiChoice ended 2025 with 14.4 million subscribers across Africa, down from 14.9 million a year earlier, while revenue declined 6 percent to 2.4 billion euros.

 


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