22 November 2019
Showmax launches new plan aimed at increasing Africa’s access to Video on Demand
Updated on 19 April 2021 to reflect latest pricing.
Subscription video on demand services haven’t fully addressed the needs of the majority of consumers in Africa, and the end result is take-up running well behind that seen in other economies.
Showmax is now set to change this with the launch of a new product designed specifically for Africa featuring African content and live sport as well as TV series, movies and kids’ shows.
The subscription video on demand (SVoD) model originated in the USA and spread rapidly in countries where uncapped broadband is affordable and widely available. The model relies on consumers being comfortable with transacting online and having ready access to credit cards. None of these conditions are present for the majority of people in Africa. On top of that, smartphones and tablets are, for many in Africa, the primary, if not only, window to the internet, and up until now none of the most popular SVoD services has designed a product specifically for mobile usage.
In short, SVoD services haven’t adequately addressed the needs of the majority of consumers in Africa. The end result is these services have been out of reach for many, and take-up has been well behind that seen in other economies. But the African SVoD service Showmax is set to change this with the launch of a new product.
Showmax Mobile debuts
The new Showmax Mobile plan costs around 50% of the standard Showmax package but still features 100% of the same video content. What sets Showmax apart is a unique combination of four pillars: hit African content, first and exclusive international series, the best kids’ shows, and live sport, including weekly matches from the English Premier League, Italy’s Serie A, and Spain’s La Liga.
The new plan is specifically aimed at consumers who only use smartphones and tablets to watch video content. Video resolution peaks at standard definition to help reduce data consumption, and as a product for the individual, one concurrent stream is included in the plan. A full comparison of the mobile and standard plans is included in a table below.
Speaking about the launch of the new mobile plan for Africa, Niclas Ekdahl, CEO of the Connected Video division of MultiChoice, said:
“This is all about an African service developing a solution that meets the needs of African consumers. Customer feedback consistently points to local content and sport as some of the things that people value most from Showmax. That’s of course on top of the international series, movies, and kids’ shows that are our bread and butter. With all of that content now available in a product designed specifically for mobile usage, we’re doing something no other service can offer.
“On top of that, with groundbreaking deals like our new offer with Vodacom in South Africa, we solve the credit card issue through add-to-bill payment and the data issue by including data directly in the package. We’re looking to launch similar offers in Kenya and Nigeria soon.”
Comparison of Showmax plans:
Mobile | Standard | |
Price per month | R439 / N1200 / KSh300 / GHC16.99 / UGX11,499 / USD2.99 | R99 / N2900 / KSh760 |
Watch on smartphone or tablet | Yes | Yes |
Watch on smart TV and computer | No | Yes |
HD streaming | No | Yes |
TV series, movies, kids’ shows | Yes | Yes |
Sport | Yes | Yes |
Concurrent streams | 1 | 2 |
Cancel anytime | Yes | Yes |
Chromecast and Airplay | No | Yes |
Number of devices | 1 registered device | 5 devices can be registered, with 2 able to stream at the same time |
Original African stories by local talent
Empini S1
Stream the Showmax Original drama series Empini from 23 May 2024.
Original Sin: My Son The Killer
Original Sin: My Son The Killer follows the murder of Andrea Venter by Gerhard Jansen van Vuuren, who then went on the run from South Africa to Brazil.
Tracking Thabo Bester
From the makers of Devilsdorp and the director of Convict Conman comes the true-crime documentary South Africa has been waiting for. Two episodes now streaming, and the remaining two episodes land on 22 March 2024 on Showmax.
The Illuminated
The Showmax Original docuseries The Illuminated explores different religious movements in South Africa. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Koek S1
The crime comedy Koek, starring Cindy Swanepoel, now streaming on Showmax, with new episodes every Thursday.
Ekhaya Backpackers S1
Stream the Showmax Original comedy series Ekhaya Backpackers, with new episodes every Thursday.
Cheta M
Cheta M explores the love story between Adanna and Nnanna, young lovers who battle the spiritual and political forces in their way. Stream now, with new episodes Wednesday to Friday.
Youngins S1
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins, with three new episodes every week.
The Real Housewives Of Lagos S2 Reunion, now streaming
ENO S2: New daughter, more chaos
The best of West Africa
Nigerian Idol S9 to stream on Showmax this April
Season 9 of the popular reality TV singing competition Nigerian Idol will be available to stream from 22 April on Showmax.
Must-watch AMVCA-nominated shows on Showmax
Stream AMVCA-nominated shows including Wura, The Real Housewives of Lagos S2 and more, now streaming on Showmax.
Showmax’s Freemen highlights the origin story of Nnewi’s most successful businessmen
The Showmax Original documentary Freemen highlights how Nnewi breeds successful businessmen like Dr Alex Chika Okafor and Dr Cosmas Maduka. All the episodes for Freemen are available to stream.
5 Showmax Originals produced, directed and written by women
Stream these original series this International Women’s Month, produced, directed and written by Nigerian women, now on Showmax.