The Story⚡
On 5 March 2026, Canal+ confirmed it would discontinue Showmax, the streaming service it acquired with its acquisition of MultiChoice. Within hours, social media was filled with reactions ranging from simple shock to questions about favourite shows and the future of African content.
Tell Me More
Showmax launched in 2015 and grew to serve 44 countries, with a major relaunch in 2024 backed by technology from Comcast’s Peacock platform. It commissioned original series and films from across the continent, including South African dramas, Kenyan productions and Nigerian reality shows. The decision to close follows reported trading losses of R4.9 billion in the year to March 2025. Canal+ said the move supports a shift toward its pay-TV business and a new integrated streaming approach.
The news spread quickly on social media, and users shared immediate thoughts. South African media personality Bonang Matheba posted: “Yoh, no ways!” The short message captured the mood for many and spread fast. Content creator Naledi Mallela wrote: “Showmax is WHAT?! Where will I binge my housewives? What is HAPPENING??!??????”
A common concern was access to popular programmes. Several users asked where they would now watch Big Brother Naija, with one post reading: “My worry about Showmax shutting down is where will I watch BBNaija”. Others pointed to practical barriers in markets such as Nigeria. One user noted that the basic subscription costs around 2,000 naira a month, adding: “This shows you the level of poverty in Nigeria. People don’t have spare 2k to fund their entertainment.”
Many described the closure as the end of something larger. Posts called it the loss of one of the few platforms that commissioned African stories at scale. Kenyan users raised questions about the future of local productions funded by Showmax between 2021 and 2026. Some users worried about specific titles, including animated series, and what would happen to distribution plans.
Not every reaction was purely emotional. Several posts accepted the business reality, noting the competitive pressure from global streamers and the scale of losses. Others took a wider view. Posts discussed whether content would move to DStv or a new Canal+ app, and what this meant for creators who had relied on Showmax for original commissions. The Economic Freedom Fighters also commented, framing the decision as a setback for African creative independence. Across South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria, the conversation mixed personal disappointment with broader questions about streaming economics on the continent.
In Summary
The Showmax service will remain available until further notice, with subscribers set to receive a warning before any changes take effect and no immediate steps are required from them. Canal+ has stated there will be no job losses and has indicated that content will shift to its pay-TV offerings and a new integrated streaming platform.
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