31 August 2020
Showmax launches new live-streaming service in Ghana
Showmax is launching a new service, Showmax Pro, which bundles the existing Showmax entertainment service with music channels, news, and live sport streaming from SuperSport. Showmax Pro features all Premier League, Serie A, La Liga matches and a wide range of live sport including pro boxing, international marathons and IAAF athletics on top of the full Showmax entertainment catalogue. Showmax originally launched in August 2015 and is available across sub-Saharan Africa.
It is an African video-on-demand service with many years’ experience operating on the continent. Showmax is local-first, which means listening to customers and delivering African stories told in familiar voices as well as the best that Hollywood has to offer. Its local-first strategy is an advantage because it allows it to tailor content, apps, packages, and partnerships, specifically to what’s most important in Africa.
Speaking about the new service Cecil Sunkwa Mills, Managing Director, MultiChoice Ghana said: “Last year Showmax launched a mobile-only service for smartphones and tablets featuring all of the Showmax content but at half the cost of the standard Showmax service and consuming less data. This service has also proven popular, so in addition to the standard version of Showmax Pro, there is also a mobile-only version at half the price.”
He adds, mobile usage is mainstream in Africa, so having a one-size-fits-all big screen service may not be the best solution. With the mobile-only version of Showmax Pro, anyone with a smartphone in sub-Saharan Africa will be able to get the best African content, the best of Hollywood, and all of the best sporting action. This is something no other service is doing. Another key development for African markets has been adapting the service for the data connectivity constraints on the continent and focusing on the most-used viewing devices.
Showmax also brings you popular Ghanaian series and movies from the likes of Shirley Frimpong-Manso (including her Africa Movie Academy Award-winners Potato Potahto and The Perfect Picture and her hit series Shampaign, with Jocelyn Dumas); Leila Djansi (including her multi-award-winning films Like Cotton Twines and her hit series 40 & Single); Juliet Ibrahim (Every Woman Has a Story) and Kwah Ansah (FESPACO Grand Prize Winner Heritage Africa).
International shows feature the best of HBO like Game of Thrones, Insecure and Emmy nominees Succession, Watchmen, Little Fires Everywhere, Big Little Lies, and more. Kids favourites include Paw Patrol and Doc McStuffins. Hollywood blockbusters include Bombshell (2019), starring Charlize Theron and Nicole Kidman, and John Cena in Playing with Fire (2019).
What sets Showmax apart is a unique combination of African hit content, first and exclusive international series, Hollywood blockbusters, kids’ shows, and live sport from SuperSport. Movies are updated regularly plus in Ghana; customers will be able to pay in local Cedi via MTN’s Mobile money service as follows:
| Showmax | Showmax Mobile | Showmax Pro | Showmax Pro Mobile | |
| Ghana | GHC 45.99 | GHC 16.99 | GHC 119.99 | GHC 59.99 |
This table gives details of the Showmax service in Ghana.
| Showmax | Showmax Mobile | Showmax Pro | Showmax Pro Mobile | |
| Football: all Champions League (South Africa only), Premier League, Serie A, PSL and La Liga games | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Athletics, pro boxing, major international marathons, & more | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Music channels Trace Urban, Trace Gospel | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| News channels Africanews, Euronews, Newzroom Afrika, SABC News (SA only) | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Series, movies, kids’ shows, documentaries | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Number of concurrent streams | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| Smartphone and tablet apps | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Smart TV, laptop, Android TV, Apple TV apps | ✓ | – | ✓** | – |
| Maximum video resolution | HD | SD | HD | SD |
Showmax can be downloaded on iOS and Android. For more information, visit www.showmax.com.
Original African stories by local talent
016FM
016FM follows rival DJs at a beloved Vaal radio station threatened with closure, starring the late Mpho Sebeng, and Joseph Sedibo. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Made in South Africa
Jiji
Jiji follows the lives of four girls in the streets of Jericho, forced into a life of crime to make ends meet. Stream now, with new episodes on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Made in Kenya
Born Into Fame
Born Into Fame follows six South Africans with famous parents, as they try to live up to their family legacies while discovering their own unique paths to success. Stream now, with new episodes every Tuesday.
Made in South Africa
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa is the spin off that fans have been waiting for. Stream now on Showmax, with new episodes every Monday.
Made in South Africa
Nilichoma
The Kenyan Showmax Original docuseries features celebs who received an unexpected windfall, and then blew it all. Stream now on Showmax.
Made in Kenya
Mince Jou Hare S1
Shimmy Isaacs’s laugh-out-loud sitcom about a factory worker who opens a hair salon in her home is streaming on Showmax, with new episodes on Mondays.
Made in South Africa
Untying Kantai
Untying Kantai follows King Kantai, a man who has spent 30 years of his life working hard to provide for his family, only to be conned out of his life savings. Now streaming.
Made in Kenya
Big Girl Small World
Big Girl Small World follows Ciku, a plus-size woman who stumbles through a journey of self-discovery after a humiliating scandal. Stream now, with new episodes every Wednesday.
Made in Kenya016FM has dropped!
Born Into Fame, now streaming
More Mzansi gold
Joseph Sedibo on 016FM and working with Mpho Sebeng
Joseph Sedibo talks about his role in the Showmax Original 016FM and what it was like working with the late Mpho Sebeng. New episodes land every Wednesdays.
South African
Episode 1 of 016FM is live and on air!
Get hooked on the new Showmax Original 016FM as it premieres on Showmax, with new episode every Wednesday.The series follows rival DJs at a beloved Vaal radio station.
Made in South Africa
016FM S1
To save their community radio station from closing, two polar opposite DJs prepare to compete on air, unaware that a syndicate has infiltrated the station.
Made in South Africa
The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: LaConco on polygamy
In episode 5 of The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa, LaConco opens up about the pros and cons of polygamy, and finding love. New episodes every Monday on Showmax.
Made in South Africa