African streaming platform Showmax is set to discontinue its services following a strategic review by parent company MultiChoice and its majority shareholder Canal+, marking a major shift in the continent’s digital entertainment landscape.
The decision comes after years of heavy investment in the streaming platform and increasing competition from global streaming giants.
Company executives say the move forms part of a broader restructuring strategy aimed at stabilizing MultiChoice’s business and improving profitability in the rapidly evolving streaming market.
MultiChoice launched Showmax in 2015 with the goal of creating Africa’s answer to international streaming services.
The platform quickly expanded across the continent and became one of the largest home-grown streaming services, offering a mix of international titles and African original productions.
At its peak, Showmax operated in over 40 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, including major markets such as Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana and Namibia.
The platform built a strong reputation for investing in African storytelling, commissioning local films and series that resonated with regional audiences.
Over the years, Showmax released numerous originals and co-productions that helped raise the profile of African streaming content globally.
However, maintaining a competitive streaming platform proved expensive. The company spent billions on technology infrastructure, licensing deals, and original productions in an attempt to compete with global platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
Despite its growing catalogue and subscriber base, Showmax reportedly struggled to generate sustainable profits.
Industry reports indicate that the platform accumulated significant losses as MultiChoice invested heavily to upgrade its technology and expand its content offering.
The situation intensified after Canal+ increased its stake in MultiChoice and began reviewing the company’s long-term strategy.
Canal+ executives concluded that Showmax, in its current form, was not delivering the commercial success needed to justify continued investment.
Following the review, the company has opted to retire the Showmax service and explore alternative strategies for its streaming and digital distribution efforts.
Because Showmax operates across multiple territories rather than within a single country, the decision will affect millions of subscribers across sub-Saharan Africa.
While the service will eventually shut down, the companies have clarified that Showmax will not disappear immediately. Subscribers will continue accessing the platform for now while the company develops a transition plan.
MultiChoice and Canal+ say they will provide additional details on timelines, customer migration and content arrangements at a later stage.
One of the biggest questions surrounding the shutdown involves the future of Showmax’s content catalogue.
The platform has invested heavily in African originals, producing series, documentaries and films from countries including South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya.
Many of these productions gained regional popularity and helped establish Showmax as a key supporter of African creatives.