IN A NUTSHELL
- MultiChoice is shutting down Showmax streaming service
- The move comes amid the takeover of MultiChoice by Canal+
- No staff retrenchments are expected as employees will be reassigned within the group
MultiChoice is pulling the plug on its streaming platform Showmax.
Subscribers woke up on Thursday, 5 March 2026, to an email from the platform confirming that the Showmax board had taken the decision to discontinue the service following a comprehensive review. For now, viewers can continue streaming as normal, with the company stating that there will be no immediate interruption to the service while further transition plans unfold.
We’re writing to inform you of an important update regarding Showmax. Following a comprehensive review, the Showmax Board has taken the decision to discontinue the Showmax service in the near future. This decision reflects our focus on strengthening our overall digital offering and ensuring long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive streaming environment. Importantly, at the moment there will be no interruption to your current service. You can continue streaming as usual, and no action is required from you at this time.
The decision comes at a time when Canal+ is tightening its strategy after acquiring MultiChoice. Despite a major relaunch in 2024 backed by a $309 million investment partnership between MultiChoice and NBCUniversal, the long-term gamble on building a globally competitive African streaming platform appears not to have delivered the expected results. Over the years, Showmax became home to some of the country’s most talked about local productions including Adulting, The Wife, Youngins, Devilsdorp and Donkerbos.
While the platform itself is being phased out, there is some positive news for those behind the scenes. As part of Canal+’s takeover conditions, MultiChoice is not allowed to retrench staff for a three-year-period. Instead, employees currently working on Showmax will be reassigned to other roles within the broader business.
At the same time, several Showmax Originals are already being quietly repositioned under existing MultiChoice television brands including M-Net, Mzansi Magic, kykNET and Africa Magic, signalling a shift back toward traditional broadcast and pay TV distribution, as per Variety exclusive report.
