Showmax 2.0 set to launch this coming February

On the 12th of February, MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv, is poised to introduce a revamped version of Showmax, marking a significant move in the African streaming landscape to contend with rivals such as Netflix and Disney+. The new Showmax, labeled Showmax 2.0, is a result of a collaboration between MultiChoice and NBCUniversal’s Peacock, which powers the platform.

Starting January 23, existing customers will begin transitioning to the new platform, with the official launch scheduled for February. MultiChoice aims to compete more effectively by offering four distinct products at more affordable price points than the original Showmax, which has maintained a monthly cost of R99 since its inception in 2015.

The first product is a multi-device, general entertainment offering akin to the original Showmax at R89 per month. The second is a mobile-only entertainment plan, featuring general entertainment products, priced at R39 per month. A mobile-only Premier League product is the third option, providing exclusive access to Premier League-related content on a mobile device for R69 per month. Lastly, a mobile bundle option combines general entertainment and Premier League content on a mobile-only plan for R99 per month.

MultiChoice’s strategic move is in response to the escalating competition in the African streaming sector, where it aims to challenge global giants like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video to become the leading streaming service in the region. The partnership with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky brings about changes in Showmax’s ownership, with NBCUniversal holding 30% and MultiChoice retaining 70%. The collaboration leverages Peacock’s international, third-party content and advanced streaming technology, complemented by MultiChoice’s local content and established African customer base. MultiChoice South Africa CEO Marc Jury described the partnership as the “coming together of two giants.”