MultiChoice to Shut Down Showmax Streaming Service After 11 Years, Citing Unsustainable Losses

 MultiChoice Group has announced the impending discontinuation of its popular streaming platform, Showmax. Launched in 2015, Showmax has operated for over a decade as a key player in video-on-demand services across the continent, offering a mix of local African content, international series, movies, and originals that resonated with subscribers in countries like South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and beyond.

The decision, confirmed by MultiChoice and its new parent company, French media giant Canal+, comes after a thorough review of the platform's performance. In a statement released on March 5, 2026, the companies explained that the move reflects a broader commitment to financial discipline and smarter investment in an intensely competitive global streaming market. Showmax, which was run as a joint venture with NBCUniversal (holding a 30% stake), has faced mounting challenges that made continued operation unviable.

Central to the closure are the substantial annual losses the service has accumulated. Recent financial disclosures from MultiChoice, prior to the Canal+ acquisition, showed trading losses worsening dramatically rising by 88% in one reported period while revenue fell well short of ambitious earlier targets. Executives have described these deficits as unsustainable amid rising content costs, fierce rivalry from international giants like Netflix, economic pressures across markets, and the capital-heavy nature of building a scalable streaming business.

Canal+, which completed its acquisition of MultiChoice last year in a deal valued at billions, has been pursuing aggressive cost-cutting measures. The group aims to achieve significant savings across its operations by 2030, and Showmax emerged as one area where reductions were deemed necessary. Despite the platform's reputation for high-quality African originals such as acclaimed series like 'Spinners', 'Catch Me a Killer', and 'Khaki Fever' the financial strain proved too great in a landscape where global streamers dominate subscriber growth and advertising revenue.

Importantly, the shutdown will not lead to job losses. MultiChoice has assured staff that no retrenchments are planned, with transition options available for those affected. For current subscribers, there is no immediate disruption to service. The company has indicated that Showmax will continue operating in the near term while preparations are made for an orderly wind-down, though a precise end date has not yet been specified as legal and logistical details are finalized.

The news marks the end of an era for a service that positioned itself as "Africa's story" in streaming. Showmax built a loyal following by prioritizing local productions, live sports in some packages, and affordable pricing tailored to regional realities, including mobile-first access in markets with varying broadband availability. It differentiated itself through partnerships and a focus on content that reflected African experiences, which earned praise even as subscriber numbers and profitability lagged behind expectations.

Many platforms worldwide have grappled with profitability in recent years, leading to consolidations, price adjustments, and strategic retreats. For MultiChoice, now integrated into Canal+'s ecosystem, the focus may shift toward leveraging its core pay-TV strengths through DStv and exploring synergies, such as potential integration of Canal+ content offerings into existing services.