After 11 years of bold pursuits and tenacious efforts, Showmax officially closed at 11:59 PM on April 30, 2026.
“This decision was made by the Showmax board and reflects MultiChoice's (CANAL+ company) ongoing focus on financial discipline and investment optimization, especially in an increasingly competitive and capital-intensive global streaming environment. The significant annual losses incurred by the Showmax business have become unsustainable. The decision to phase out Showmax demonstrates our commitment to building a sustainable and competitive long-term business in an increasingly challenging global streaming landscape,” the statement noted.
Despite the closure, MultiChoice stated that this change would not lead to any layoffs, pointing out that due to existing agreements related to the Canal+ acquisition, employees would not be laid off within a specific timeframe.
Additionally, MultiChoice mentioned in an email sent to subscribers that Showmax's content would be transferred to DStv Stream and MultiChoice's satellite TV streaming platform. This means that Showmax's original programs and exclusive content will continue to exist but will be integrated into the DStv ecosystem, no longer operating as an independent streaming service.
MultiChoice has quietly rebranded Showmax Originals as Africa Magic, M-Net, kykNET, and Mzansi Magic Originals, with original series migrating to these different DStv linear TV channels.
Showmax was launched by MultiChoice on August 19, 2015, with support from Naspers. At that time, many believed the market was not yet ready. It was on this day that South Africa's pay-TV giant MultiChoice launched Showmax in South Africa, becoming the first local subscription video-on-demand streaming service in Africa.
However, the belief in establishing Showmax was that African audiences were not only ready to consume global content but also wanted to see their stories on a platform built for them.
Timeline of Growth
Showmax did not simply mimic global streaming giants but was designed for Africa's unique technological environment. It became the first mobile download streaming service in Africa to offer offline viewing.
Moreover, Showmax introduced adaptive bitrate streaming and advanced video compression technology, allowing users in areas with slower internet connections to watch content without interruptions.
Payment was another challenge. International platforms typically require credit cards and global payment methods, which most African users do not have. Showmax addressed this issue by integrating directly with DStv billing, mobile operators, and retail partners, making it easier for more users to subscribe.
In 2020, Showmax launched Showmax Pro in Nigeria and Kenya, combining live sports events and attracting over 450 million smartphone users and 250 million football fans, representing a significant untapped market. Football became a major driver of user engagement.