Showmax 2.0 has reached its one-year milestone, achieving notable growth in its subscriber base, with paying customers increasing by 50% year-over-year during the six months ending September 30, 2024.
MultiChoice reintroduced Showmax on February 12, 2024, in collaboration with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky. This relaunch featured a brand redesign, NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming platform enhancements, and an expanded content library.
The platform now boasts diverse titles from major studios such as NBCUniversal, HBO, Universal Pictures, Warner Bros, Paramount, Sony, Illumination, and DreamWorks.
According to MultiChoice, “It was a landmark year for Showmax, which saw a 50% year-on-year growth in its paying subscriber base, excluding discontinued services.”
The organization anticipates that this growth will accelerate as its strategic initiatives generate results. Showmax has also received accolades, named Best Television/Streaming Network at The National Film and TV Awards South Africa and Entertainment App of the Year at the Stuff App Awards.
In 2024, MultiChoice topped JustWatch’s streaming charts in South Africa—a platform that helps users track what to stream across various services.
Popular titles on Showmax included the films Oppenheimer and Civil War, while standout series were The Rookie and Yellowstone. Showmax had more presence in the top ten charts than any other streaming service.
“Entertainment is global in 2025, with customers seeking the best from around the world,” stated MultiChoice, announcing that by March 2025, it plans to stream half of the previous year’s top ten global blockbusters.
MultiChoice’s strategy to significantly invest in local content has proven effective, as it now features 97 Showmax Originals. “This investment has reaped rewards, with Showmax securing the most wins at the National Film and TV Awards SA, The Behind the Scenes Awards, and the SAFTAs, along with Koek, which was the most-awarded series at Silweskerm,” the company stated.
The platform reported that Youngins achieved the highest first-day views of any title since its relaunch, while The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip — South Africa and Adulting set records for seven-day and ten-day views, respectively.
Despite fierce competition from international platforms, local content has dominated: nine out of ten of Showmax’s most-streamed titles since the relaunch has been local, with the only exception being HBO’s House of the Dragon.
Showmax’s local productions have garnered international recognition as well. Notable achievements include Spinners winning Best Foreign Series at the Shanghai TV Festival’s Magnolia Awards, Die Brug earning MultiChoice its third International Emmy nomination in three years, and Catch Me A Killer becoming the first South African series to compete at Series Mania, also winning Best Production Design at the British Film Designers Guild Awards.
The platform also provides a standalone Premier League plan specifically for mobile users, featuring access to Betway Premiership content, making it one of the few streaming services in South Africa to include live sports.
Looking ahead, MultiChoice aims to capitalize on Showmax’s content offerings to drive further growth. “Africa presents a dynamic and challenging environment that continues to offer unparalleled growth opportunities, with the fastest-growing population globally and improving connectivity,” said Byron du Plessis, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa.
“Showmax is strategically poised to leverage these trends through its blend of top-notch local content, affordable mobile football options, and premium international offerings from renowned studios like NBCUniversal, HBO, Sky, Paramount, and more.”
