Closure of loss-making Showmax a blow for African productions

Profit placed above audiences’ interests

- By Bongani Mdakane

The closure of local streaming channel Showmax is likely to reverberate across the African film and television industry, sparking concerns over dwindling storytelling platforms and the future of productions across the continent, where Showmax operates in 44 markets.

This closure comes a couple of years after MultiChoice relaunched Showmax, partnering with Comcast’s NBC to broadcast content from Universal Pictures, HBO and Sky, aiming to compete with Netflix and other global giants entering the continent.

CANAL+ and MultiChoice announced the decision to shut the platform on Thursday, citing financial losses.

In its annual results for the year ending March 2025, MultiChoice experienced what it called unprecedented headwinds, with Showmax accounting for R4,9-billion in trading losses, up from the R2.6-billion in losses recorded in the previous financial year.