With Local Stories, eVOD Carves Out a Distinctive Streaming Identity.

As global streaming platforms compete for audiences worldwide, a more grounded shift is unfolding in South Africa, led by a homegrown platform that is redefining what local success in digital entertainment looks like.

eVOD, the streaming arm of eMedia, has emerged as a notable player in South Africa’s media landscape. Over the past year, it has recorded a 49% increase in watch time and a 71% rise in registered users - figures that reflect not only audience growth, but a platform increasingly aligned with the demands of its market. This steady growth, rooted in a clear understanding of its audience and local market conditions, highlights the value of local focus in building a sustainable streaming model.

A Focus on Local Stories

Yet it is not just the product design that is resonating with users. eVOD has placed local content at the centre of its programming strategy, championing South African-made films as a core part of its offering. So far this year, the platform has released four original films, with plans for four more by year-end, along with one original series scheduled for 2025.

This emphasis on South African storytelling is more than a branding exercise. It reflects a commitment to growing the local film industry and presenting narratives that reflect the lives and experiences of the platform’s viewers, something international platforms often struggle to replicate authentically.

Shaping the Future of Local Streaming

As the streaming market matures, eVOD distinguishes itself through a clear understanding of its audience, a consistent investment to local content, and a practical approach to how people watch. Its growth reflects the impact of market-aware decisions and platform design shaped by real-world conditions.

In doing so, eVOD is not simply competing in the digital entertainment space, it’s helping to define it.