Canal+ will shut down its streaming platform Showmax in the “near future,” according to an email sent to subscribers on Thursday.
“Following a comprehensive review, the Showmax Board has taken the decision to discontinue the Showmax service in the near future. This decision reflects our focus on strengthening our overall digital offering and ensuring long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive streaming environment,” the email read.
The company did not provide a specific shutdown date but said users will continue to access the service for now, with further details on timelines expected to be communicated later. MultiChoice added that streaming will remain a central part of its strategy, though it did not clarify whether that will occur through a new platform or through a restructured version of its existing services.
“Streaming remains central to our strategy. We will continue to invest in premium content, technology innovation, and partnerships to deliver the best possible entertainment experience to our customers,” the company said.
Showmax launched in 2015 and expanded rapidly across the continent, eventually operating in more than 40 African markets. With more than two million subscribers, it became the largest streaming platform focused on the African market, competing with global players such as Netflix and Amazon Prime Video while investing heavily in local content.
Despite its reach, the platform has struggled financially. MultiChoice has repeatedly disclosed significant losses tied to Showmax as the company invested in content production, technology infrastructure, and market expansion to compete with global streaming giants.
In 2024 alone, the business recorded losses of roughly $140 million, underscoring the difficulty of building a profitable streaming platform in emerging markets where subscription prices remain relatively low, but production and licensing costs continue to rise.
“The substantial annual losses experienced by the Showmax business have proved unsustainable,” the company said. “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+ said employees affected by the shutdown will be supported through the transition, though the company did not provide details on potential job cuts.
Victoria Fakiya – Senior Writer
Techpoint Digest
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The closure marks the end of one of Africa’s most ambitious attempts to build a homegrown streaming platform capable of competing with global entertainment companies.
