MultiChoice, recently acquired by French media giant Canal+, has announced that it will be shutting down the Showmax streaming platform.
The shutdown of Showmax is expected to happen soon. However, a specific date has not yet been confirmed as Canal+ and MultiChoice finalize what are reported to be remaining legal matters.
In a statement, the company said the decision to pull the plug on Showmax, which has more than three million subscribers, came after a “comprehensive review” of its streaming operations.
Explaining the move, the company said in a statement that “following a comprehensive review, the Showmax Board has taken the decision to discontinue the Showmax service in the near future,” describing the decision as part of efforts aimed at “strengthening our overall digital offering and ensuring long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive streaming environment.”
Subscribers, however, can continue using the platform normally for now. The company stressed that “at the moment there will be no interruption to your current service,” assuring viewers they can keep streaming without taking any action. It also noted that “Showmax subscribers are a priority for us,” adding that plans are already underway to ensure clear communication and a smooth transition once more details and timelines are ready.
Canal+ acquired Showmax’s parent company, MultiChoice, in a $2 billion deal last September.
Showmax launched in August 2015 to compete with global streamers like Netflix, Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+, later relaunching in 2024 with NBCUniversal but struggling to gain traction in a market shaped by costly data, limited broadband and fierce competition.
