Kwabena Okyire Appianing

Tech

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Kwabena Okyire Appianing

Considered the #1 authority on engineering profitable customer acquisition campaigns, Kwabena is the marketing expert other experts go to when they need help

Amazon firestick could burn out DSTV and other Local TV stations in Ghana

Disruptive technological innovations have forced many businesses out of business, shrank and displaced hundreds of thousands, and at the same time created many more new businesses and jobs. Kodak, text messaging, photography, audio and video CDs, are some of the businesses and jobs that these technological innovations have affected in the past. The Amazon firestick is one of such innovations that could disrupt the businesses of multichoice Ghana, providers of dstv service and many more television stations in Ghana.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick connects to your TV’s HDMI port. It’s an easy way to enjoy over 3,000 channels, apps, and games including access to over 250,000 TV episodes and movies on Netflix, Amazon Video, HBO GO, Hulu, and more. Cutting the cord? Watch the best of live TV on NBC News, NBA, and Sling TV, which includes ESPN, CNN, HGTV, AMC, A&E, Cartoon Network, and more. No more buffering, ASAP learns what Amazon movies and shows you like so they start instantly.

Amazon Prime members get unlimited access to Prime Video, including original programming like Transparent, plus over 1 million songs with Prime Music. Now get a subscription to apps like HBO NOW, Showtime, and STARZ to watch TV episodes, movies, and sports, without cable.

Why this will burn DSTV

Improvements in internet services in Ghana will accelerate the adoption of these devices. The Amazon fire tv stick is dependent on reliable and high quality internet. With upgrades towards 4g internet, most dstv subscribers will readily and easily switch to cheaper option that gives them unlimited access to TV viewing. Unlike dstv that bills you monthly whether you watch or not, you only pay (internet) when you use the Amazon Fire TV stick. So you can end up spending only a tenth of what dstv subscribers are paying and yet have access to more contents. The cost of the device and its ongoing cost of use are far less than its major option, dstv. Most dstv subscribers belong to the high and middle class. They are people who can easily afford the Amazon Fire TV Stick and even those who cannot afford dstv and other digiboxes can now afford fire stick.

Implications for Local TV stations

The variety of shows, movies and tv viewing offered by the Amazon Fire TV Stick and the fact that it is portable ( you can carry it with you and slot it into any TV wherever you find yourself) puts it in direct competition with local TV stations. Local TV stations will have to begin to deliver contents that can compete with those offered by the fire stick, as Ghanaians become more demanding in their TV viewing. It is no longer a competition with fellow local tv stations. They are in competition with the giants out there.

Are there Gainers?

Yes of course. Disruptive technologies would knock some out and create even more. This would soon create jobs for people who develop expertise in installation of the Amazon Fire TV stick and related trouble shooting. There will be opportunity for vendors to import and sell the device to those who do not wish to buy it directly online. Perhaps, the biggest gainers in Ghana will be the telecommunication companies, Internet Service Providers, and players within that industry. The devices is dependent on internet and our regular subscription of data from ISPs is what will enable us to enjoy the benefits of the Amazon Fire TV stick.

How to stay in business

To stay in business and ahead, there need to be proactive rather than reactive strategic decisions made about the immediate future. And this should be done fast. It’s just a matter of information trickling to the masses and the adoption would be so fast – faster than you can imagine. At the moment, the early adopters are already in possession of the device and enjoying the returns.

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