Showmax Shutdown Pushes Subscribers To DStv Stream
Subscribers of Showmax are being directed to transition to DStv Stream as the platform prepares to shut down on Thursday, marking a significant shift in digital streaming operations under MultiChoice.
A notice sent to users and seen by PUNCH Online informed subscribers of the imminent closure, stating: “Big NEWS! The Showmax app is shutting down in 1 DAY! Catch all your favs on DStv Stream by visiting https://dstv.stream/ & changing your password to start. T&Cs.”
DStv Stream, operated by MultiChoice, enables users to access live television, films, series, and sports content across devices including smartphones, tablets, and smart televisions, positioning it as the company’s consolidated digital platform.
The shutdown follows structural changes within MultiChoice after its acquisition by Canal+, which secured a controlling stake in September 2025. The move aligns with a broader cost-cutting strategy aimed at saving about €400 million by 2030, according to company disclosures.
Earlier reports by Variety indicated that the decision to discontinue Showmax was reached by its board as part of a renewed focus on “financial discipline and investment optimisation” in an increasingly competitive global streaming market.
Launched in 2015, Showmax was positioned as Africa’s response to global platforms such as Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime Video, and Disney+, offering a mix of local and international content.
In February 2024, the service underwent a major relaunch in partnership with NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. The upgrade leveraged technology from the Peacock platform in a bid to improve performance and expand its subscriber base.
Despite these efforts and an estimated $309 million investment by MultiChoice and NBCUniversal into content production and technological upgrades, the platform reportedly struggled to achieve projected growth. Financial records pointed to rising trading losses and declining revenues in the period preceding the Canal+ takeover.
Canal+ has since initiated cost-efficiency measures across MultiChoice operations, with the discontinuation of Showmax forming a central part of that restructuring. “The decision to axe Showmax was made by the Showmax board and reflects the continued focus of MultiChoice, a Canal+ company, on financial discipline and investment optimisation,” the company stated.
MultiChoice also indicated that the closure would not result in job losses, citing existing agreements tied to the Canal+ acquisition that prevent staff retrenchment for a specified period. “The decision to discontinue Showmax services will not involve any retrenchments. The group will be engaging and supporting employees through various transition options,” the company added.
As part of the transition, several Showmax Original productions are being reassigned to MultiChoice-owned channels, including Africa Magic, M-Net, Mzansi Magic, and kykNET, ensuring continued distribution of existing content.
The migration to DStv Stream signals a consolidation of MultiChoice’s digital offerings into a single platform, as competition intensifies and operators reassess sustainability within the global streaming landscape.