In a significant shake-up for streaming services in South Africa, Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada has announced plans to launch the Canal+ app as a replacement for Showmax, which will cease operations on March 5, 2026. MultiChoice, the parent company of Showmax, aims to ensure a seamless transition for its subscribers during this change.
The decision to replace Showmax follows years of financial struggle for the service. Despite MultiChoice’s efforts to revitalise the streamer, it has continued to suffer substantial losses. Over the past three financial years, Showmax reported losses totalling US$587,278, with a staggering US$296,985 loss projected for 2025 alone. Saada expressed the need for a fresh approach, stating, “This was a severely loss-making activity on which we saw no recovery.”
While Canal” quickly reached an agreement with Comcast to end Showmax, details of those negotiations remain scarce. The focus now is on enhancing user experience as the new app is rolled out across MultiChoice territories, mirroring successful strategies already implemented in French-speaking Africa. Saada emphasised that Canal+ has not experienced the same decline in direct-to-home (DTH) satellite subscribers as other markets, particularly the US, have, owing to integrated access to its OTT platform.
David Mignot, CEO of Canal+ Africa, reinforced the commitment to making all Showmax content and features available through DStv Stream, positioning the new service as a more robust option for users. Despite Showmax being central to MultiChoice’s operations in Africa, it became evident that the streaming service could not sustain operations amid intense competition.
Canal+ announced that the transition would not result in retrenchments, reinforcing its commitment to its employees at MultiChoice. The company plans to provide support and explore various options to assist staff during this period. Showmax has reassured its subscribers that service continuity will remain unaffected for now and has provided updates to ensure clear communication about the transition process.
The decision to discontinue Showmax follows months of candid evaluations by Canal+ executives of the service’s financial prospects. Earlier this year, both Saada and Mignot characterised Showmax’s per-show as disappointing, citing excessive investments in marketing and technology that did not yield the expected results.
Ultimately, the replacement of Showmax with the Canal+ app aims to build a competitive and sustainable future in a challenging global streaming landscape, a move that many hope will enhance viewing experiences for South African audiences.
