Business Times reports that MultiChoice, grappling with new competition in the form of streaming services such as Netflix, is considering job cuts as part of its plan to create a "leaner" business.  

According to an (unnamed) person familiar with the matter, the company has asked a large number of people to reapply for their positions and as many as 200 jobs could be on the line.  The business has about 7,000 employees across Africa.  A MultiChoice spokesperson said:  "We are creating a leaner and more agile organisation in order to remain globally competitive.  We are looking at different ways to transform our business into a more agile and digitally focused company."  MultiChoice's satellite TV business, DStv, faces its biggest existential threat since its launch 23 years ago as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other streaming giants wade into the local market.  The new competition is taking its toll on DStv's premium subscriber base.  In the year ended March, MultiChoice lost 41,000 premium subscribers across all its African markets.  While the total subscriber base grew - MultiChoice added 563,000 in SA in the year to March - it came from far less profitable lower-cost packages.  World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck commented that a downsizing of MultiChoice was inevitable.

• Read more of this Sunday Times Business Times report by Nick Hedley at SA Labour News

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page