Paramount+, the US-based video streaming subscription service, has announced that it will not launch its standalone app in South Africa.
The company confirmed that its content will remain available exclusively via DStv and Showmax, which aligns with their distribution agreement with MultiChoice.
Since its inception in 2014, Paramount+ has offered diverse content from Paramount Global’s libraries, including CBS, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Showtime, MTV, and BET, along with live sports coverage.
While the service is available as a standalone offering in 13 countries, it was originally planned to enter the South African market similarly.
In February 2023, Tom Ryan, president of Paramount and CEO of streaming, mentioned that the launch strategy would involve “hard bundles” with a local provider and a direct-to-consumer app.
Since late 2023, visitors to the Paramount+ website from South Africa have been prompted to register with their email addresses to receive updates regarding the service’s availability in the country. The message reads: “Paramount+, home to the world’s favourite stars, stories, and brands, is coming soon. Get ready to experience stellar originals, exclusive premieres, hit movies, and the best must-see TV.”
Interestingly, South Africa was not listed among the countries where Paramount+ would not launch due to its availability through SkyShowtime, suggesting that a dedicated offering might still be forthcoming.
In February 2024, Paramount Global Content Distribution revealed a partnership with MultiChoice, confirming that this would be the local provider referred to by Ryan. This agreement means Paramount+ has secured a dedicated hub on both the DStv and Showmax platforms. However, it is important to note that the content available through this partnership is curated and does not encompass the entire Paramount+ library.
Following the announcement of this partnership, Paramount has not provided further details about the potential rollout of a standalone app in South Africa.
Despite the absence of a standalone app, South African viewers have access to a good selection of Paramount content at a lower cost. Recently, Paramount confirmed that it would not launch a standalone app in South Africa since its content is already offered through MultiChoice.
“This is essentially a licensing deal for content within a branded area called Paramount+,” stated the company. “These branded destinations will only launch where a full Paramount+ service is unavailable.”
Fortunately, South African subscribers may not miss out significantly without a dedicated Paramount+ service. Even in the U.S., Paramount+ offers only 1,283 titles, while Showmax showcases over 5,000 titles, including popular content from Paramount.
Some notable Paramount+ titles recently available on Showmax or DStv include “Yellowstone,” “Landman,” “Mobland,” “Yellowjackets,” “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds,” “Special Ops: Lioness,” and “Criminal Minds: Evolution.”
Other major international streaming services unavailable in South Africa, such as Peacock and HBO Max, also provide premium content through Showmax and DStv. The only major exception in the streaming landscape is Hulu, much of whose catalogue is available via Disney+.
