Naspers' video-on-demand (VOD) service ShowMax added to MultiChoice's DStv for subscribers with DStv Explora decoders connected to the internet.

Naspers' subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service ShowMax and its pay-TV platform MultiChoice will now be including the SVOD service within its broader DStv service and will now offer ShowMax to DStv subscribers who have a DStv Explora decoder that is connected to the internet.

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.

Naspers' ShowMax video-on-demand streaming service in South Africa expands to another 36 African countries; 'African market growth potential huge'.

Naspers' subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) streaming service ShowMax in South Africa has expanded to 36 African countries.

ShowMax that was launched in August 2015 is now available in 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and has the largest SVOD catalogue in the continent where it now competes with rival services like Netflix that's been available across Africa since January 2016.

ShowMax outside of South Africa is priced in dollar and costs $7.99 per month for unlimited viewing of the catalogue of around 15 000 TV show episodes and films.

The service includes a Kiswahili language section and a Nollywood section, as well as a section of classic African films.

"We've been busy testing the service in key locations across the continent and optimising our delivery network," says Barron Ernst, ShowMax chief product officer in a statement.

"We've adapted our apps to address the needs of consumers in Africa, introducing features like downloads for viewing TV shows and movies when not connected."

"We've added Kiswahili and Nollywood shows and movies to our existing class-leading catalogue of Hollywood and British favourites."

"The growth potential of the African market is huge and we're not the only internet TV service looking to meet that demand," says Barron Ernst.

"The difference is that we're not simply cutting-and-pasting an existing model from elsewhere, and instead have built a product and content selection designed specifically for Africa."