16 August 2023
8 reasons to celebrate Showmax turning eight
To celebrate Showmax turning 8 on 19 August 2023, here are 8 things the African streaming service is celebrating:
1. 26% growth for the last four years
According to the June 2023 MultiChoice results, paying Showmax subscribers increased by an average growth rate of 26% year-on-year for the last four years*.
2. South Africa’s highest-rated streaming app on Google Play and Apple App Store
Showmax is currently the highest-rated streaming app in both the South African Google Play and Apple app stores. Showmax has a 4.6 rating in the Google Play store and a 4.8 rating in the Apple app store, where it’s tied with Apple TV, which has roughly 1/10th as many votes.
3. A relaunch on the way
In March 2023, Showmax announced a partnership with Comcast’s NBCUniveral and Sky. When relaunched, Showmax will combine MultiChoice’s accelerating investment in local content with a unique pipeline of award-winning and critically acclaimed international content licensed from NBCUniversal and Sky, third party content from HBO, Warner Brothers International, Sony and others, as well as live English Premier League (EPL) football, all powered by Peacock’s globally-scaled technology. The relaunch is expected before the end of this financial year, ending March 2024.
4. The best local content, according to the SAFTAS, AMVCAs, Kalashas, iEmmys and more
Series on Showmax were the biggest winner at the most recent AMVCAs in Nigeria, SAFTAs in South Africa, and Kalasha Awards in Kenya, while Rise: The Siya Kolisi Story won the Audience Award at Tribeca, Reyka was nominated for two International Emmys, Showmax Original Spinners became the first African series selected at CanneSeries, and Recipes for Love and Murder and Donkerbos were both selected for Berlinale Series Market Selects, among other recent accolades.
Having the best local content, in over 20 African languages, is a key selling point: in 2022, seven of the 10 most streamed titles in South Africa, eight of the top 10 titles in Kenya and Nigeria, and nine of the top 10 in Ghana on Showmax were African. Overall, local content viewership on Showmax hit 57% in FY2023, while Showmax audiences have now watched over 50 million hours of The Wife, Showmax’s most popular series so far, ahead of any international content.
5. The best international drama series, according to the Emmys
Showmax is the only place in Africa to stream the three most-nominated shows overall at the upcoming 75th Emmy Awards: the family business drama Succession S4 (27 nominations), the post-apocalyptic The Last Of Us S1 (24) and the Sicily-set, sex-themed The White Lotus S2 (23). Showmax is also home to HBO’s Game of Thrones prequel House of the Dragon (8 nominations), and Showtime’s survival horror Yellowjackets (3 nominations), giving it five of the eight nominees for Best Drama. Overall, at the 2023 Emmys, Showmax is home to 18 nominated shows from six networks and platforms, up for a combined 121 awards.
Showmax is also streaming five of the 10 biggest box office hits of last year globally: Top Gun: Maverick, Jurassic World: Dominion, Minions: The Rise of Gru, The Batman, and Puss in Boots: The Last Wish. Of the Top 20, Showmax has 12.
6. Firsts in Africa from an Africa-first app
Built with African realities in mind, Showmax was the first streaming service in Africa to make mobile downloads possible for offline viewing and the first to launch a mobile-only plan. Showmax also introduced the lowest data streaming option on the continent and accepts payments in the most local currencies and payment platforms.
7. Football to your phone
Showmax Pro streams SuperSport content in Africa, including the most watched football league in the world, England’s Premier League. This is a key selling point in a football-mad continent and helped Showmax Pro more than double its subscriber base in the last financial year, according to the June 2023 MultiChoice results. Leading tech magazine Stuff named Showmax Pro Streaming Service of the Year for 2022, in part for successfully streaming the FIFA World Cup in 4K.
8. A growing population, with growing connectivity
“Showmax is clearly differentiated from the international streamers by our local content and football, a strategy which has seen Showmax consistently exceed its original forecasts,” says Yolisa Phahle, CEO of Showmax. “Africa’s population is growing at three times the global average – an unrivaled growth opportunity – and is expected to double in size by 2050 to around 2.5bn – likely to be a quarter of the world’s population. Combined with growing internet connectivity off the lowest base in the world, this gives us an incredible opportunity.”
*Company data, measured over a four-year period from March 2019 to March 2023.
Original African stories by local talent
Black & Blue S1
Black & Blue, a Showmax Original police-based mockumentary series, lands on 6 November, with new episode every Wednesday.
Ubuthe Uzobuya
Ubuthe Uzobuya delves into the lives of couples torn apart when one partner abruptly disappears without explanation. Stream from 29 October.
Princess on a Hill
Princess on a Hill is a compelling drama series that explores themes of power, ambition, and the cost of success. Stream from 7 November 2024 on Showmax.
Brasse Vannie Kaap
Brasse Vannie Kaap is a documentary about the iconic, game-changing 90s group who helped make hip hop South African. Stream now on Showmax.
Soft Life
Soft Life follows Owami who enters into the secretive world of high-society companionship. Stream from 18 November 2024, with new episodes every Monday.
Style Magnate
Style Magnate is a Nigerian Showmax Original following 20 designers vying for a life-changing prize. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.
Subterranea
Subterranea follows eight participants of a psychological experiment, trapped in an underground bunker. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.
Nai-Rich
Nai-Rich follows five influential Kenyans, giving a glimpse into the glitz and glam of their daily lives in the entertainment industry. Stream now, with new episodes every Friday.
Watch the trailer for Outlaws
Unfollowed: Placing social media on trial
Showmax Originals we know you'll love
Law, Love and Betrayal episode 7 recap: A violent eviction
In episode 7 of Law, Love and Betrayal, Ayanda and James defend a woman when she gets attacked and evicted by her landlord. New episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
The Mommy Club Sugar & Spice finale: Make-up class clashes
In the final episode of The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice, Neetasha and Lenore defy the dare, and the twins confront them. Catch new episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
Empini Season 1, episodes 43-44 recap: The grenade
In Empini episodes 43-44, Ndoni is reassigned to Amahle and vows to protect her, but things take a turn when the girl is kidnapped. Catch new episodes every Thursday on Showmax.
7 South African stand-up comedians that bring the laughs
Discover these top SA comedians ready to make you laugh out loud in their comedy specials and the 13-part Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, now streaming on Showmax.