Launched in 2015 by MultiChoice, Showmax quickly positioned itself as a key streaming destination across the continent. The platform expanded to more than 40 African markets and built a reputation for hosting a growing catalogue of African films, television dramas and original productions alongside international titles. For many viewers, it represented one of the few streaming services focused on African storytelling.
However, despite its wide reach, the platform has struggled to maintain profitability in a rapidly evolving streaming landscape increasingly dominated by global competitors and rising production costs.
In a statement released on Thursday, Canal+ confirmed that MultiChoice would begin phasing out the Showmax service. “MultiChoice, part of CANAL+ SA, today announces the forthcoming discontinuation of the Showmax service,” the company said, noting that the platform’s significant annual losses could no longer be sustained.
The company emphasized that the decision would not lead to layoffs. Instead, MultiChoice plans to redirect its resources toward developing its own large-scale in-house streaming platform designed to serve both African and international audiences. Details about the new platform’s rollout timeline have not yet been disclosed.
Subscribers to Showmax were informed of the upcoming shutdown via email. In its message, the streaming service said the move was intended to secure “long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive streaming environment,” signaling a shift in strategy as the newly merged media group restructures its digital offerings.
The discontinuation follows Canal+’s landmark acquisition of MultiChoice, finalized in September in a deal valued at approximately $3 billion. The transaction created a media group operating in about 70 countries across Africa, Europe and Asia, employing roughly 17,000 people and serving more than 40 million subscribers worldwide.
Canal+ described the purchase as the largest transaction in its history. Prior to the deal, the French broadcaster already held a strong position in French-speaking African markets. By bringing MultiChoice under its umbrella, the company significantly expanded its reach into English- and Portuguese-speaking regions of the continent, where MultiChoice has long been a dominant player in pay-TV.
The move to discontinue Showmax reflects a broader consolidation trend in the global streaming industry, where companies are increasingly prioritizing scale, efficiency and integrated platforms to remain competitive in an increasingly crowded market.