MultiChoice to Shut Down Showmax in Africa

MultiChoice, the South African pay-television company recently acquired by French media giant Canal, announced on Thursday that it will discontinue its streaming service Showmax in the coming months, citing unsustainable financial losses amid fierce competition from global platforms.

The decision, made by the Showmax board following a comprehensive review, affects the service available in 44 African countries, where it has served more than two million subscribers since its launch in 2015. Showmax had positioned itself as a key player in the continent's streaming market by offering a mix of local African films, TV series, and international content, including Hollywood hits and sports. Subscribers received an email notification stating that there would be no immediate interruption to their access, with further details on timelines and transition plans to be shared in advance. "This decision reflects our focus on strengthening our overall digital offering and ensuring long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive streaming environment," the company said in the message.

The shutdown comes less than a year after Canal completed its 3 billion euro acquisition of MultiChoice...