BREAKING NEWSMarch 5, 2026 at 12:48 PM UTC
TLDR
- Showmax closure reflects pressure from global competition on regional streaming platforms
- African streaming services face challenges from major global players such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.
- The closure of Showmax is a sign of a strategic shift in African media groups, which are moving towards consolidation and expansion of their sector.
The MultiChoice group has announced that it will close its Showmax streaming platform after 11 years of activity, in order to review its digital strategy.
The decision was communicated to subscribers in an email on Thursday. The company said the move followed a review by Showmax’s board of directors.
“Following careful review, the Showmax Board of Directors has made the decision to discontinue the Showmax service for the near future,” the company said.
MultiChoice said the service would continue to operate for now and there would be no interruption to current subscriptions.
Subscribers will be informed in advance of the closure schedule and next steps. The company did not give a date for the closure.
Showmax was launched in 2015 in South Africa as a subscription video streaming platform offering films, series, documentaries and sports content. The service later expanded to many African markets due to increased demand for online streaming.
The closure comes as MultiChoice reorganizes its digital strategy and faces competition from global streaming platforms.
This development also follows the regulatory approval of the acquisition of MultiChoice by French media group Canal+. The deal includes a cash offer of ZAR125 per share for shares not already owned by the company.
The transaction also includes commitments relating to investment in local content and the participation of historically disadvantaged groups in the South African audiovisual sector.
Key takeaways
Showmax’s closure reflects the pressure placed on regional streaming platforms by intensifying global competition. African streaming services face high content costs, infrastructure problems and competition from global players such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+. These companies invest billions of dollars in content and technology every year. Showmax was created to offer a regional alternative focused on African audiences and local productions. The platform has built up a catalog of local broadcasts and sports programs and has expanded to dozens of countries. However, the economics of streaming remain challenging in many African markets. Falling subscription prices, payment difficulties and slowing broadband adoption are reducing margins compared to global markets. The proposed acquisition of MultiChoice by Canal+ could accelerate changes in strategy. Canal+ operates television and streaming businesses in Europe and Africa and could integrate digital services into a broader content distribution strategy. The closure of Showmax signals a shift in the way African media groups approach streaming, with an emphasis on scale, partnerships and consolidation in the sector.
