By Kunle Brown
Johannesburg/Lagos, March 6, 2026 – In a move that marks the end of one of Africa’s most ambitious homegrown streaming ventures, MultiChoice Group — now under French media giant Canal+ — has announced the discontinuation of its on-demand platform Showmax.
The decision, confirmed in simultaneous statements from both companies on Thursday, follows a comprehensive strategic review and reflects what the board described as the “substantial annual losses” that have proved unsustainable in an increasingly competitive and capital-intensive global streaming environment.
Showmax, launched in August 2015 as MultiChoice’s bold answer to Netflix, will cease operations in the near future. No specific shutdown date has been announced, and the service will continue running normally for now, with subscribers assured they can keep watching without immediate interruption.
In an email sent to millions of users across the continent titled “Important Update,” the platform stated: “Following a comprehensive review, the Showmax Board has taken the decision to discontinue the Showmax service in the near future.” The message emphasised the company’s new focus on building a “sustainable, competitive business for the long term.”
Canal+, which completed its acquisition of MultiChoice last year in a deal valued at approximately $2 billion, described the closure as part of a broader drive toward “financial discipline and investment optimisation.” Industry sources say the platform had been bleeding hundreds of millions of rand annually despite repeated relaunches, major content investments, and a 2024 overhaul that included partnerships with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky.
At its peak, Showmax positioned itself as “Africa’s Netflix,” commissioning and acquiring original African content that resonated strongly in Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and beyond. Hit series such as Spinners, Catch Me a Killer, Khaki Fever, and Shaka iLembe helped build a loyal subscriber base and gave African stories a global stage. The platform was particularly popular in Nigeria for its mix of Nollywood originals, local reality shows, and international titles.
“Following a comprehensive review, the Showmax Board has taken the decision to discontinue the Showmax service in the near future.”
However, the harsh realities of the African streaming market proved insurmountable. High data costs, patchy broadband infrastructure in many regions, intense competition from global giants (Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, and Apple TV+), and the enormous capital required to produce premium content all contributed to persistent losses. MultiChoice reportedly invested over R6 billion (more than $330 million) into Showmax over the decade.
The shutdown will not result in job losses. MultiChoice and Canal+ confirmed that affected staff will be offered various transition options within the wider group. Content rights and library details for subscribers are still being finalised, with further communication promised “well in advance” of the final closure date.
Reactions and Impact
The news has sent ripples across Africa’s creative industry. Filmmakers, producers, and actors who relied on Showmax commissions expressed concern about the shrinking space for locally driven stories. Nigerian and South African content creators, many of whom saw Showmax as a vital alternative to foreign platforms, fear a return to limited opportunities.
For ordinary subscribers — especially in Nigeria, where Showmax had grown into a go-to service for affordable local and international entertainment — the closure raises immediate questions about alternatives, pricing, and access to beloved originals.
MultiChoice, Africa’s largest pay-TV operator with its flagship DStv service, now appears set to consolidate its digital strategy under Canal+’s umbrella. The French group is expected to integrate some of Showmax’s popular content and technology into its broader offerings rather than maintaining a standalone African-focused streamer.
A Wider Industry Shift
Analysts say the closure is part of a global streaming reckoning. After years of aggressive spending on content and subscriber acquisition, many platforms are now prioritising profitability over growth at all costs. In Africa, where streaming penetration remains relatively low compared to Europe and North America, the economics have proved particularly challenging.
As one industry executive who spoke on condition of anonymity put it: “Showmax was a brave bet on Africa’s digital future. Unfortunately, the market simply wasn’t ready to support it at the scale and cost required.”
While the final chapter of Showmax is being written, the platform’s legacy — 11 years of championing African voices and proving that local stories could compete on the global stage — remains undeniable.
Further updates on the exact shutdown timeline, content migration plans, and subscriber refunds or transitions are expected in the coming weeks. For now, millions of African viewers are being urged to enjoy their favourite shows while they still can.
The curtain is falling on Showmax — but the story of African streaming is far from over.
[c] TechReportersNG
