MultiChoice, the parent company of Showmax, has announced that it will be shutting down its streaming platform after eleven years of operation. The decision was communicated to Showmax subscribers on Thursday through an email notification.
The email stated that the Showmax Board has taken the decision to discontinue the service following a comprehensive review. According to MultiChoice, this move is a part of their bid to focus on strengthening their overall digital offering and ensuring long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive streaming environment.
Although the exact timeline for the discontinuation of the Showmax streaming service has not been provided, MultiChoice has assured subscribers that there will be no interruption to their current service and they can continue streaming as usual. The company has also stated that subscribers remain their priority and they are working on plans to ensure clear communication and a smooth transition when the time comes.
Showmax History and Operations
Showmax was launched in 2015 in South Africa and has since spread across the continent, operating in scores of countries. The platform offers a wide range of content, including sports, movies, documentaries, and series streamed over the internet.
Recently, South African authorities approved the takeover of MultiChoice by pay-TV powerhouse and StudioCanal parent company Canal+. This move has paved the way for the French media giant to acquire Africa’s largest pay-TV group, which includes DStv and GOtv.
Key Points of the Takeover
- Canal+ has made a mandatory cash offer of ZAR 125 ($7.11) per share to acquire all outstanding ordinary shares of MultiChoice not already owned by the French media group.
- The approved conditions include public interest commitments aimed at enhancing the participation of historically disadvantaged persons (HDPs) and small, micro, and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in South Africa’s audiovisual sector.
- The commitments also guarantee sustained investment in local general entertainment and sports programming.
Canal+ and MultiChoice are now set to implement a structural arrangement, unveiled in February 2025, which addresses local ownership regulations under South Africa’s Electronic Communications Act. The plan includes the separation of MultiChoice’s South African broadcasting licensee, MultiChoice, into an independent, HDP-majority-owned entity.