Canal+, fresh from its $2 billion takeover of MultiChoice, has confirmed it will discontinue Showmax, the pan‑African streaming service once hailed as a homegrown rival to Netflix.
The decision follows a comprehensive review of operations and reflects Canal+’s aggressive cost‑cutting strategy.
Showmax’s End After 11 Years
Launched in August 2015, Showmax was MultiChoice’s answer to global streamers like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Despite a relaunch in February 2024 with NBCUniversal’s Peacock technology and a $309 million equity injection, the platform failed to meet growth targets.
Losses mounted, trading losses worsened by 88% in the last financial year before Canal+ took control—making Showmax unsustainable.
Showmax’s Financial Struggles
Showmax’s financials underline the scale of its losses. According to consolidated statements for the year ended March 2024, the platform reported:
- Revenue: USD 45.4 million
- Cost of sales: USD 98.7 million
- Operating loss: USD 133.6 million
- Net loss: USD 139.1 million
- Total comprehensive loss: USD 131.1 million
Losses attributable to shareholders stood at USD 137.6 million, with trading losses worsening by 88% year‑on‑year. These figures highlight why Canal+ deemed the service unsustainable.
Canal+ Confirms Closure
In a statement to subscribers, the Showmax board said:
“Following a comprehensive review, the decision to discontinue the Showmax service reflects our focus on strengthening our overall digital offering and ensuring long‑term sustainability in an increasingly competitive streaming environment.”
“This decision was made by the Showmax board of directors and reflects the continued focus of MultiChoice, a Canal+ company, on financial discipline and investment optimization in an increasingly competitive and capital-intensive global streaming environment.”
“The substantial annual losses experienced by the Showmax business have proved unsustainable. The decision to phase out Showmax reflects our focus on building a sustainable, competitive business for the long term in an increasingly demanding global streaming environment.”
Canal+ added that no staff retrenchments will occur. Employees will be reassigned within MultiChoice, in line with takeover agreements that prohibit layoffs for three years.
Impact on African Originals
Showmax built a reputation for bold African storytelling, commissioning series such as Spinners, Catch Me a Killer, Adulting, and Koek. These originals are now being rebranded under Africa Magic, M‑Net, kykNET, and Mzansi Magic on DStv.
“Showmax was one of the only platforms willing to back stories that were bold and authentic. Losing it is a huge blow to the local industry and audiences.”
In East Africa, Showmax has built an impressive library of local originals spanning drama, reality TV, film, and animation. On the drama front, standout titles include Crime and Justice, Kenya’s first Showmax Original that set the standard for local streaming; the fan-favourite Single Kiasi (now in its fourth season); thriller Igiza; crime dramas Faithless and Mizani, the latter set in Mombasa’s underworld; youth racing drama Reckless; political thriller County 49; sci-fi pioneer Subterranea; gender-swap dramedy Adam to Eve; telenovela Second Family; urban drama Jiji; con-man comedy Untying Kantai; plus-size romcom Big Girl Small World; and football drama Pepeta.
Reality lovers have been spoilt for choice with The Real Housewives of Nairobi, Kyallo Kulture, The Mommy Club NBO, Nai-Rich, Nairobi Bachelor, and The Hot Seat. On the film and documentary side, Showmax has produced Nilichoma (Kenya’s first Showmax Original docuseries), feature films Baba Twins, Black & Blue, 4Play, A Familiar Christmas, and A Merry X-Mass.
Rounding out the catalogue are pan-East African titles The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa and Twende, Kenya’s first original animation series, bringing the total local Showmax Kenya and East Africa catalogue to over 28 original titles as of early 2026.
Strategic Shift Toward Partnerships
Canal+ expects to expand its Netflix bundling deal, already rolled out in Francophone Africa, across the continent. Insiders say this strategy avoids further losses from competing head‑on with global giants while consolidating Canal+’s pay‑TV dominance.
“Canal+ will continue to invest in premium content for MultiChoice subscribers, technological innovation and strategic partnerships to consolidate its leadership in the African entertainment market,” the company said.
“Further details regarding our expanded content offering and platform upgrades will be shared in due course. We want to reassure our Showmax subscribers that they are our priority as we evolve our services to deliver a superior streaming experience.”
CEO Maxime Saada previously admitted Showmax was “not a commercial success” and said cutting its budget would contribute significantly to Canal+’s cost‑saving target of €400 million by 2030.
