(NAIJA TV/FMG) – African streaming service Showmax is set to close following a strategic review by its new parent company, Canal+, ending a decade-long run that began in South Africa on August 19, 2015.
The platform, which expanded to 36 African countries by May 2016 and underwent a major relaunch in February 2024 using Comcast’s Peacock technology, proved financially unsustainable. Trading losses ballooned 88% in the 2025 financial year to approximately R4.9 billion (~$260 million) despite subscriber growth.
MultiChoice cited “unsustainable” annual losses as global streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video intensified competition in the capital-intensive market.
Canal+ now plans to consolidate MultiChoice’s premium content into a unified “super app” focusing on in-house platforms.
Subscribers face no immediate interruption, with specific closure timelines to be communicated later. Showmax Originals are migrating to linear channels, including Africa Magic and M-Net.
Canal+ assured there would be no retrenchments, with staff reassigned within the broader group.
