South Africa’s Showmax is set to be discontinued after 11 years, following a strategic overhaul by its parent company, MultiChoice Group, now majority-owned by French broadcaster Canal+.
In a major shake-up for Africa’s entertainment industry, once touted as Africa’s homegrown alternative to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, Showmax’s run is coming to a close amid mounting financial pressures.
MultiChoice confirmed that the platform had been incurring “substantial annual losses”, which became unsustainable in a fiercely competitive and capital-intensive streaming landscape. The decision is part of Canal+’s broader plan to restructure MultiChoice’s digital offerings, focusing on cost efficiency and maximizing returns across its TV and streaming services.
Subscribers can continue to enjoy their favourite shows for the time being, and no immediate action is required. MultiChoice also reassured that no layoffs will occur due to the phase-out, with employees being offered support and transition opportunities as the company refines its streaming strategy.
Launched in 2015, Showmax quickly became a key player in African streaming, offering a mix of local and international content. The platform received a revamp in 2024 with upgraded technology and an expanded content library, but ongoing losses ultimately forced the company to rethink its approach.
MultiChoice says the closure is a step toward building a more competitive, in-house streaming platform capable of taking on international giants while still delivering premium content to African viewers. The company pledged continued investment in content creation, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships to strengthen its digital ecosystem.
An official timeline for Showmax’s full shutdown will be communicated to subscribers in advance, ensuring a smooth transition. The closure underscores the challenges local streaming services face in competing with global platforms, even as demand for online entertainment continues to surge across the continent.
The end of Showmax signals both the closing of a chapter in Africa’s streaming history and the beginning of a new, more ambitious phase for MultiChoice’s digital ambitions.
