Any DStv subscriber with an active DStv Explora can access ShowMax as long as it's connected to the internet, regardless of which DStv package they have.
To access ShowMax on the DStv Explora once the software update has been loaded, a subscriber can press the blue DStv button on the remote control, move to Watch Now and choose ShowMax.
"Our customers have told us they
would like to see the previous seasons of shows that are currently on DStv," says Mark Rayner, MultiChoice South Africa CEO.
"Adding ShowMax to the DStv Explora puts the entire history of the best TV shows
in one place for you to watch from the very beginning – you see the latest
season on DStv, and can binge on previous seasons on ShowMax. For example, the
latest season 6 of Game of Thrones is showing now on DStv and DStv Catch Up,
whereas previous seasons 1 to 5 are available as box sets on ShowMax".
"The DStv Explora is our flagship decoder, manufactured
entirely in South Africa. It was built with the future in mind and when we
launched it, we committed to continuously push the innovation envelope and grow
the functionality to enhance our customers' viewing experience."
"Since its
launch in 2013, the DStv Explora has been changing the way South Africans watch
television. Adding ShowMax to the DStv Explora is an extension of this vision," says Mark Rayner.
MultiChoice that already offers the DStv Catch Up and DStv BoxOffice services, says the DStv Explora with ShowMax added "will now offer a richly varied and
comprehensive video-on-demand experience".
"For DStv Explora owners this is a risk-free proposition - binge entire box sets from the very beginning without having to buy any new equipment," says Barron Ernst, ShowMax's chief product officer.
ShowMax is being added to MultiChoice's DStv Exploras in a phased roll-out from today and a ShowMax subscription of R99 per month is needed to get access to the service. New ShowMax subscribers will have to sign up online and existing ShowMax subscribers can log in using their email and password.
DStv subscribers who pay with a debit order can pay for ShowMax through their DStv account. Because ShowMax content is streamed through the internet, data charges apply and a high cap or uncapped data service streaming at 4Mbps or higher is recommended.
"We're already busy busy on the next phase which is developing apps for additional streaming media devices as well as game consoles. Our goal is to provide a great viewing experience no matter what you're watching ShowMax on," says Barron Ernst.
The services point out that DStv and
ShowMax are competing services, which are part of the same group and offer different approaches to video entertainment.
MultiChoice says DStv subscribers will continue to get the freshest local
and international content directly from Hollywood, as well as live sports and
news, through live TV and the DStv Catch Up service.
