by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice's subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service Showmax is expanding to offer Showmax Pro that will provide a live sports content streaming offering in addition to its general entertainment content carousel.
The Showmax Pro offering is the end-result of the sport beta test on Showmax that has been running since June 2019.
Showmax Pro is launching across sub-Saharan Africa with roll-out in Nigeria and Kenya first, with other countries - likely including South Africa - later. The entire pricess is expected to be completed with 6 to 8 weeks.
Showmax Pro bundles the existing Showmax entertainment service together with music channels, news, and live sport streaming from SuperSport, and is the first major brand delineation since Showmax launched in 2015.
The additional content offered through Showmax Pro features all Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and PSL games, and other live sport events.
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Showmax
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Showmax Pro
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|||
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Showmax
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Showmax Mobile
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Showmax Pro
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Showmax Pro Mobile
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Series, movies, kids’ shows, documentaries
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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IAAF Athletics, pro boxing, major international marathons,
& more
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-
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-
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✓
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✓
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Music channels Trace Urban, Trace Gospel
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-
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-
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✓
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✓
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News channels Africa News, Euronews, Newzroom Afrika
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-
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-
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✓
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✓
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Football: all Premier League, Serie A, PSL and La Liga
games
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-
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-
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✓
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✓
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Number of concurrent streams
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2
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1
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2
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1
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Smartphone and tablet apps
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✓
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✓
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✓
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✓
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Smart TV, laptop, Android TV, Apple TV apps
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✓
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-
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✓*
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-
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Maximum video resolution
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HD
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SD
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HD
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SD
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14-day trial
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✓
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✓
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-
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-
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*Supported smart TVs:
Samsung Tizen (2017-2020), LG WebOS (2014-2020)
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"We're local-first, which means listening to our customers and delivering African stories told in familiar voices as well as the best that Hollywood has to offer. Our local-first strategy is an advantage because it allows us to tailor our content, apps, packages, and partnerships specifically to what’s most important in Africa."
In June
2019, Showmax began testing sport live-streaming, and the new Showmax Pro
service is based on the results of this.
"The live
sport test we ran on Showmax in conjunction with SuperSport has been well
received, so that’s forming an integral part of our new Showmax Pro service."
Besides the standard version of Showmax Pro, Showmax will also offer a "mobile-only" version at half the price.
About the mobile-only option in Africa Niclas Ekdahl says "Mobile
usage is mainstream, so having a one-size-fits-all big screen service may not
be the best solution here".
"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 and we think it’s a game-changer.”
The pricing
for Showmax and Showmax Pro in Kenya and Nigeria is as follows:
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Showmax
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Showmax Pro
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Showmax
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Showmax Mobile
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Showmax Pro
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Showmax Pro Mobile
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Kenya
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KSh 760
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KSh 380
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KSh 2100
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KSh 1050
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Nigeria
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NGN 2900
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NGN 1450
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NGN 6300
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NGN 3200
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