Though these days we’re a bit spoiled for choice as far as streaming services are concerned, we won’t turn our nose up at another offering, particularly if it offers free content. MTN has paired up with eMedia Holdings to launch eVOD, a streaming service that does just that.

MTN is stream keen

eVOD, as in e-Video on Demand, streams exclusive and local content, including famous local TV shows, on Apple and Android devices, with free and paid subscription options. eMedia Holdings is looking to capitalise on MTN’s substantial user base. The streaming platform isn’t exclusive those customers, but eMedia is looking to grab specifically their attention with some handy incentives. MTN is handing out 4GB of data for streaming every month to eVOD subscribers from now until the end of January next year. In case you missed it, the telecommunications company also recently announced that it will be lowering its data prices.

Alongside its free tier, eVOD has a few subscription models. You can access premium content for R5 a day paid via MTN airtime, R15 a week paid via airtime or a credit card, or R99 a month paid via airtime, a credit card, or through the App Store/Play Store.

One might ask how eMedia plans on competing with the big dogs like Netflix. In a nutshell, it doesn’t, because it considers itself to be in a different market by offering a free tier.

“Approximately 500 000 MTN users stream content from Netflix every month. While this is a substantial number, it is small when compared to that of YouTube, [which has] over 14 million MTN customers streaming videos from their platform every month.” said MTN’s Over-the-Top Video Senior Manager, Jason Lobel, according to Moneyweb.

We’re not sure a free tier means eVOD won’t be competing with the likes of Netflix and Showmax, but it certainly gives it an attractive edge. The eVOD app is now available on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.