Multichoice’s popular on-demand video streaming service, Showmax, is set to no longer be available outside of Africa starting from December 1, 2023, according to an official notice on the company’s website. This decision follows the recent announcement that Showmax Pro will be phased out by November 30, 2023, as part of a broader effort to revamp the Showmax platform. New subscribers were unable to access Showmax Pro from October 1.
Existing Showmax Pro subscribers will undergo a transition to DSTV Stream, a new online streaming platform from Multichoice that eliminates the need for a dish or decoder. In a statement sent to customers regarding the discontinuation of their services outside Africa, Showmax noted, “For the time being, we will be concentrating specifically on the African market and addressing the requirements of our expanding customer communities across the diverse continent.”
Multichoice has forged strategic partnerships with American entertainment giant NBCUniversal and British media conglomerate Sky Group, positioning itself as Africa’s premier streaming service. Currently, NBCUniversal holds a 30% stake in Showmax. This collaboration with NBCUniversal and Sky Group will usher in an enhanced version of Showmax, known as Showmax 2.0, expected to debut later in the year or early 2024.
Showmax 2.0 will feature a curated selection of Showmax originals, international content from Sky, NBCUniversal, HBO, Warner Brothers, Sony, and Multichoice’s locally produced channels such as Africa Magic, Mzansi Magic, and Maisha Magic.
Additionally, subscribers can look forward to expanded access to live sports, including the English Premier League, with improvements planned for the platform’s live sports streaming service following its relaunch. This move is part of Multichoice’s broader vision to enhance its streaming offerings across the African continent.”
