Showmax folding into DSTV stream
The platform shuts down on 30 April 2026, with Showmax content temporarily moving to DStv Stream.
This is happening right now and it’s a big deal for African streaming. Canal+ is ending the loss-making Showmax, which it said could have destroyed MultiChoice. The platform shuts down on 30 April 2026, with Showmax content temporarily moving to DStv Stream.
The timeline
31st March, 2026 was the final day for subscription renewals and voucher redemptions. From 1st April, no new subscriptions or renewals are possible. Existing subscribers can continue watching until their subscription expires or end of April – whichever comes first.
Existing account holders without active subscriptions have received a free 1 month DSTV streaming till the end of the month of April.
What happens to the content
A dedicated Showmax section has been introduced on DStv Stream from April 1, featuring celebrated originals alongside fan-favourite content — including WURA, Flawsome, Cheta M, The Wife, and Single Kiasi.
What it means for subscribers
Eligible Showmax subscribers get trial access to DStv Stream Compact until end of May, with the option to continue at R99/month for 12 months — up to 75% off standard pricing. Customers who choose not to move may request a refund for any unused portion of their Showmax subscription.
Why it failed – the honest numbers
MultiChoice’s 2025 annual results revealed an 88% increase in Showmax’s operating losses, escalating from $154 million to $291 million. Even a high-profile relaunch in early 2024 backed by a $309 million investment from Comcast’s NBCUniversal, leveraging Peacock’s technology, failed to reverse its fortunes.
The pricing sting for existing Showmax users
A regular Showmax Entertainment subscription cost around $5.88/month, while a streaming-only DStv Compact subscription costs $17.77/month — meaning standalone Showmax users now face the choice of paying significantly more for DStv Compact or cancelling entirely.
What’s next after DStv Stream
The content will eventually move again — once Canal+ rolls out its own Canal+ streaming app in South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa within a few months. Canal+ is also exploring bundling Netflix into DStv subscriptions, similar to a partnership already running in Francophone Africa since July 2025.
In short — Showmax lost the streaming wars on the continent, the parent company Canal+ pulled the plug, and the content is being absorbed into DStv Stream as a transitional step before eventually landing in a Canal+ super-app. The big losers are budget-conscious subscribers who relied on Showmax’s lower price point.
More Information ℹ
Gabby
Be polite and constructive with your point.