Johannesburg – MultiChoice has announced that its streaming platform Showmax will be discontinued as part of a major restructuring of its digital entertainment strategy following the company’s takeover by French media giant Canal+.
The announcement was made on 5 March 2026, confirming that the platform — which has been a major player in Africa’s streaming industry — will gradually be phased out. The decision comes after a strategic review of the service’s long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive global streaming market.
Mounting competition and losses
MultiChoice said the move follows several years of heavy investment and financial pressure as the company attempted to compete with international streaming giants such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.
Streaming services require massive ongoing spending on technology, licensing and original productions, and industry analysts say this has made it difficult for regional platforms to compete with global players that have significantly larger budgets.
Showmax was launched in 2015 by MultiChoice as Africa’s home-grown video-on-demand service, offering movies, international television series, live sports and a growing catalogue of locally produced content.
Over the years, the platform gained recognition for investing heavily in African storytelling and producing popular local series, documentaries and reality shows that attracted audiences across the continent.
In 2024, the company attempted to revitalise the platform with a major relaunch that introduced improved streaming technology and expanded sports streaming through partnerships with international technology providers. Despite the overhaul, the service continued to face financial challenges.
What happens to subscribers
MultiChoice has not yet confirmed the exact date when Showmax will fully shut down. However, the company said subscribers will be notified in advance and given information about how the transition will affect their subscriptions.
The company has also indicated that the shutdown will not immediately lead to job losses, with plans to redeploy staff within the broader MultiChoice and Canal+ operations where possible.
Future of streaming in Africa
Industry observers say the closure of Showmax marks a significant shift in Africa’s digital entertainment landscape.
Canal+ is expected to introduce a new streaming strategy that will integrate African content with its global entertainment platforms, potentially offering a broader range of international and local programming.
While the shutdown signals the end of a pioneering African streaming platform, media analysts say the legacy of Showmax will remain in the growth of African original productions and the increasing demand for local stories on digital platforms.
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