Canal+ Africa, MultiChoice Group new owner, has announced plans to discontinue its popular streaming platform Showmax across Africa, a move that marks the end of one of the continent’s longest-running local streaming services and highlights the mounting competitive pressures faced by regional broadcasters.
The closure follows a strategic review conducted after French media giant Canal+ officially completed its acquisition of MultiChoice Group in September 2025 in a deal valued at approximately $3 billion, handing Canal+ control of MultiChoice’s television and streaming assets across Africa, including DStv, GOtv, and Showmax.
Launched in 2015 as MultiChoice’s internet-based streaming alternative, it became one of Africa’s first major on-demand platforms.
Showmax was initially developed to provide a large catalogue of African and international content, including original productions from MultiChoice studios. The platform also secured licensing agreements with major international studios such as HBO, giving viewers access to globally recognised series while offering African filmmakers a wider distribution platform.
It invested heavily in local content, including Kenyan originals like The Real Housewives of Nairobi and other regionally relevant programmes.
Over the years the service also expanded into live sports streaming and premium series content tailored for African audiences. At its peak, Showmax was seen as a regional leader in streaming, competing with global players such as Netflix, Prime Video and Disney+ for viewers in Kenya and beyond. But the economics of streaming, particularly the cost of securing rights and producing content, have shifted rapidly.
In February 2024, MultiChoice attempted to revitalise the platform by relaunching Showmax in partnership with NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. The new version utilised streaming technology from NBCUniversal’s Peacock platform and was backed by an investment estimated at about $300 million in technology upgrades and content production.
However, the revamped service reportedly struggled to meet subscriber growth targets despite the significant investment.
The future of the platform came under further scrutiny in October 2025 when French media giant Canal+ completed its takeover of the MultiChoice Group, acquiring a 93 percent controlling stake in a deal valued at approximately $3 billion. The acquisition handed Canal+ control of major African pay-TV brands including DStv, GOtv, and Showmax.
Following the takeover, the new owners reportedly began implementing cost-saving measures aimed at improving the company’s financial performance.
Earlier this year, Canal+ Chief Executive Officer Maxime Saada acknowledged during an investor call that Showmax had not achieved the commercial success expected of it, noting that the company would soon make a decision regarding the platform’s future.
Showmax will stop accepting new subscribers from 31 March and shut down on 30 April 2026, after more than a decade in operation, marking a significant shift in MultiChoice digital strategy despite heavy investments in the platform.
Existing subscribers will still be able to watch content as normal until their subscription lapses, or until the end of April 2026—whichever comes first.
While details on the transition process are expected to be shared in the coming weeks, the company has encouraged users to continue streaming as usual in the interim.
MultiChoice has said Showmax content will not disappear entirely. The company is consolidating its streaming strategy by migrating Showmax’s catalogue including Originals and exclusive titles to DStv Stream. In a message to subscribers, the company stated it would “soon share how you can keep enjoying Showmax Originals and more on DStv Stream.”
The migration marks the first major integration since the Canal+ takeover, signaling cost-cutting measures as the media giant seeks sustainable growth in Africa’s competitive but price-sensitive market.
The financial case for closure is stark. In the three years leading up to the Canal+ takeover, Showmax accumulated losses of approximately $428.9 million. In 2025 alone, trading losses widened by 88% to $297 million, while revenue fell to $48.5 million significantly missing the platform’s $1 billion annual revenue target.
