Decline in adverts hits broadcasters

Namibia’s broadcasting industry saw revenue fall in the second quarter of 2026 as advertising income dropped by more than half despite growth in pay-TV subscriptions.

According to the latest figures from the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran), total broadcasting revenue fell by 6% to N$198.91 million during the quarter.

The biggest blow came from advertising, which fell from N$23.94 million in the first quarter to N$10.20 million.

This represents a drop of about N$13.7 million in advertising income in just three months.

Cran says the fall in advertising was the main reason for the decline in overall broadcasting revenue.

“Total broadcasting revenue declined by 6% in the second quarter of 2026, mainly due to a 57% decrease in advertising revenue, which remains the largest source of revenue for broadcasters,” the regulator says.

“The decline in advertising revenue, therefore, had a significant impact on the overall performance of the broadcasting sector during the quarter,” it adds.

Advertising accounted for only 5% of total broadcasting revenue during the quarter, compared with 11% in the first quarter.
The figures exclude the state-owned Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC).

The fall in advertising came despite an increase in pay-TV subscriptions.

The number of active pay-TV subscriptions rose by 6% to 147 067 during the quarter.

DStv subscriptions increased by 7% to 108 412, while GOtv subscriptions rose by 4% to 38 655.

Cran says the increase may have been linked to greater demand for sport content during the quarter.

The period included the latter stages of the UEFA Champions League and the start of the 2026 Fifa World Cup on 11 June.

“Pay television (TV) subscriptions increased by 6% in the second quarter of 2026, continuing the upward trend,” Cran says.

The regulator says the major football tournaments may have contributed to the increase in subscriptions.

However, it adds that the available data could not establish how much of the increase was directly linked to the sporting events.

The post Decline in adverts hits broadcasters appeared first on The Namibian.