Sylvia Duruson
Video streaming service Showmax has announced the launch of its majorly revamped platform, Showmax 2.0, coming in February 2024. The updated service promises a wealth of fresh local and international shows for African audiences.
This follows MultiChoice Group’s partnership formed last year with media giants NBCUniversal and Sky under parent company Comcast. It also comes after Showmax discontinued its live sports streaming in October to focus on entertainment.
The new Showmax will debut 21 Showmax Originals from four African nations, a bolstered slate of international titles, and a mobile streaming plan for Premier League football. Per Showmax, over 1,300 hours of new Originals will be released in 2024 – more than 3.5 hours of local content daily.
There will be three package options: Showmax Entertainment, Showmax Entertainment Mobile, and Showmax Premier League Mobile. Specific pricing details are still forthcoming.
The Premier League plan will deliver live match streaming plus in-depth analysis aimed at mobile viewers. All 380 matches will be available, powered by SuperSport.
“We’re kicking off 2024 with a content slate packed with world-class entertainment from top global brands plus more African Originals than ever,” said Showmax CEO Marc Jury. Final launch specifics will be announced soon.
The revamp comes as affordable broadband connectivity grows across Africa, a pivotal moment for streaming services. In mid-2022, Showmax parent MultiChoice outlined plans to aggressively invest in the platform to lead African streaming.
Competition is steep, with entrenched rivals like Netflix and Amazon Prime expanding their African footprint since 2016. Disney+ also joined the market last year, launching in six countries.
To stay competitive, Showmax is focused on hyper-local Originals while bolstering its international catalog. The updated offering aims to cement Showmax as the go-to streaming destination for African audiences seeking both global and homegrown titles.
