Showmax, the homegrown streaming service, will close permanently on April 30, 2026.
Recently, the company emailed subscribers, explaining timelines and instructions for the upcoming transition period.
Consequently, subscribers must renew subscriptions or redeem any remaining vouchers by March 31, 2026.
Showmax Announces Closure
After April 1, the platform will stop accepting new subscriptions and renewal requests.
However, existing users can continue watching content until their subscriptions expire or until the end of April.
Furthermore, the email reassured users that they could stream content without interruptions during the wind-down period.
“No stress, you can keep watching as usual until your subscription ends or April finishes,” it emphasised.
Transition To DStv Stream
In addition, subscribers learned that Showmax Originals and other content might move to DStv Stream soon.
“We’ll share details about enjoying Showmax Originals and more on DStv Stream, so stay alert,” it added.
Read Also: Showmax Streaming Ends As Canal+ Takes Action
This announcement followed Canal+’s takeover of MultiChoice Group, which completed in September 2025 for $3 billion.
Subsequently, Canal+ decided to discontinue Showmax as part of its cost-cutting and restructuring strategies.
Meanwhile, MultiChoice assured employees they would receive support and alternative transition options throughout the change.
Challenges And Future Plans
Originally, Showmax launched in August 2015, aiming to compete with global giants Netflix, Disney+, Amazon, and Apple TV+.
Unfortunately, rising losses and declining revenue forced the company to close the platform eventually.
Additionally, subscriber numbers fell from 14.9 million to 14.4 million in 2025, showing declining appeal.
To counter this, Canal+ plans to recruit over 1,000 sales staff across Africa to boost audience growth.
For fans, Showmax’s closure feels bittersweet, yet they can still access content through DStv Stream.
Overall, the platform’s decade-long journey demonstrates both the opportunities and challenges in Africa’s competitive streaming market.
