MultiChoice Group is set to phase out Showmax as part of a broader distribution strategy following its acquisition by French media giant Canal+. The move signals a shift toward a more premium digital platform as the company reassesses its streaming strategy across African markets.
Launched in 2015, Showmax quickly established itself as one of Africa’s leading streaming services, offering a mix of international titles, live football streaming, and locally produced originals that resonated with African audiences.
The platform has built a loyal following over time through popular titles such as ‘The Real Housewives of Lagos,’ ‘Flawsome,’ ‘Wura,’ and ‘Crime and Justice Lagos.’ By investing in African storytelling and partnering with local filmmakers, Showmax positioned itself as a key player in the growth of digital entertainment across the continent.
Showmax’s shutdown reflects a broader modification across the global streaming economy. Platforms are increasingly prioritising markets where subscriber growth and revenue can offset the rising costs of production, licensing and technology. In emerging markets, such as Nigeria, where currency volatility, high data costs, and subscription fatigue are persistent challenges, the traditional subscriber-only streaming model has struggled to remain sustainable.
This decision follows the completion of French media company Canal+’s acquisition of MultiChoice in September 2025. Following the acquisition, Canal+ began reviewing MultiChoice’s business as part of restructuring and business moves. Showmax’s discontinuation was announced today, Thursday, March 5, 2026, in a decision described as focused on financial discipline and investment optimization.
For African creators, the exit of Showmax in its current form raises concerns about the visibility and distribution of African stories on global platforms. Over the years, Showmax served as an important pipeline for regional filmmakers, producers, and actors, financing original titles and giving locally produced content a structured path for audiences both within Africa and in the diaspora. With fewer platforms commissioning African originals, particularly as services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video scaled back on local investments in 2024, this may translate to creators facing tighter funding opportunities and fewer avenues for large-scale distribution, especially to international audiences.
As global streaming services continue to reassess their footprint across Africa, the question remains: what will the next phase of the continent’s digital entertainment industry be shaped by?
