Marc Jury resigns as MultiChoice SA and Showmax CEO, will exit April 2025, replaced by deputy CFO Byron du Plessis from December

by Thinus Ferreira

Marc Jury has resigned as MultiChoic South Africa and Showmax CEO, stepping away at a crucial point as MultiChoice is bleeding DStv subscribers, while trying to get traction for its streaming service and waiting to see whether an aggressive buyout from Vivendi SE's Canal+ in France will get the greenlight in 2025 from South African regulators.

Marc Jury will continue to work with MultiChoice for four months until the end of March next year to help with a handover with Byron du Plessis, MultiChoice deputy chief financial officer (CFO), who will take over as MultiChoice SA CEO from December.

The well-liked and respected former SuperSport CEO who became MultiChoice SA CEO a year and a half ago in April 2023 also suddenly took over responsibilities as Showmax CEO when Yolisa Phahle suddenly left in September last year.

Marc Jury jumps to pursue new opportunities in the sports business.

Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice Group CEO, told MultiChoice staff in an internal memo that TVwithThinus saw, that "Marc has decided to leave MultiChoiceon 31 March 2025 to pursue opportunities in the business of sport, a field that has always been close to his heart".

"While we are sad to see him go, we are immensely proud of the legacy he leaves behind and are grateful for the contributions he has made to the business. Marc has held key leadership roles, including CEO of SuperSport and most recently, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa and Showmax."

Byron du Plessis has been with MultiChoice for 13 years.

"As MultiChoice SA CEO Byron will focus on driving growth, enhancing execution, and fostering a winning culture for the South African business and its integrated product suite," says Calvo Mawela.

"His leadership will continue to prioritise localised go-to-market strategies, further strengthening out customer-centric approach. Byron will continue to support MultiChoice CFO Tim Jacobs on key strategic projects at group level but his primary focus will be on the South African business."

"While this is a bittersweet moment for us as we bid Marc farewell, we are confident in Byron's ability to build on this legacy and take MultiChoice to even greater heights."

MultiChoice finally gives DStv subscribers the ‘Watch from Start’ function – but there's a catch

by Thinus Ferreira

While its financial position forced MultiChoice to scrap its announced plans for DStv Glass - a TV set with a built-in decoder based on the UK's Sky Glass - the pay-TV operator is now rolling out some of the functionality that would have been incorporated in that for DStv Stream customers, like "Watch from Start" and cloud recordings.

From Tuesday 12 November DStv Stream will allow viewers to jump back on certain linear TV channels and "rewind" up to 24-hours. 

The Telkom ONE streamer which was taken over by the SABC for its SABC+ streamer was the first to offer this linear roll-back option to users.

The functionality was also meant to become available in DStv Glass, where DStv subscribers would have been able to talk to their TV set to switch to a specific TV channel and to then order "Watch from Start" to see a movie or TV show episode from the beginning that might already have started.

MultiChoice will now also make it possible for DStv Stream users to save live shows to watch within 30 days. Traditional DStv decoders can't do "Watch from Start" or cloud recording.

MultiChoice says the added DStv Stream functionality will become available on 12 November for web users, with gradual updates across iOS, Android, and other platforms.

"With 'Watch from Start' and Cloud PVR, we're giving viewers more control over their viewing experience," says Marc Jury, MultiChoice South Africa CEO.

"We know customers want the freedom to enjoy content on their schedule, and these new features bring the flexibility of streaming to the live TV experience. Our customers can now enjoy the best of both." 

"Watch from Start" won't be available for all DStv linear TV channels but will include several SuperSport channels, M-Net (DStv 101), Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and kykNET (DStv 144).

The cloud recording function allows DStv Stream subscribers save live content, accessible in the "My Stuff" section. According to MultiChoice, both features are set to roll out with automatic updates where possible.

MultiChoice's Showmax to carry SuperSport's PSL content on its mobile-only package.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax will carry SuperSport's Premier Soccer League (PSL) content on Showmax's mobile-only plan.

According to Showmax, all upcoming PSL matches - 380 in total - will be available on the Showmax Premier League package which is mobile only. 

All PSL matches will be streamed live on Showmax's mobile-only plan - including major cup competitions such as the Carling Knockout Cup, MTN8, and Nedbank Cup.

The PSL's Betway Premiership kicks off on Saturday 14 September with 16 clubs competing.

Mato Madlala, acting PSL CEO, in a statement says "This is a game-changer for South African football. Bringing Premier Soccer League football to Showmax is a huge win for the PSL and our supporters. This partnership opens new doors for fans to enjoy the sport they love, wherever they are".

Marc Jury, Showmax CEO, says "We’re thrilled to offer South Africa's most popular football league to our customers. The combination of the Premier League and the PSL on our powerful live-streaming platform represents extraordinary value".

Coining it: MultiChoice revamps and gamifies DStv Rewards.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice has revamped its DStv Rewards loyalty programme, updating its MyDStv app and adding a layer of enhanced gamification that the pay-TV operator hopes will drive more subscribers to its app and have them stay and interact longer for the chance to collect coins. 

The upgrade to DStv Rewards comes as MultiChoice just passed two million subscribers who have signed up for its loyalty programme.

For people enjoying Fishland or Farmland on TEMU, Wordle on the New York Times app, who play SmartHopper on Pick n Pay's app trying to reach Tilly, or play daily "unlocks" on Vodacom's VodaBucks, it's now possible to visit the upgraded DStv Rewards inside the new MyDStv App to collect coins to spinning a wheel and playing a Memory Vault game.

The newly launched MyDStv App has additional features, including gamification, challenges and a Rewards storefront where points - the currency is DStv coins - can be used to pay for vouchers from Checkers, KFC,Takealot, cellphone airtime, Wimpy, Uber Eats, travel discounts, SweepSouth and Planet Fitness, to competition entries and DStv experiences.

"The DStv Rewards programme was enhanced to create more value for our loyal subscribers and to drive frequent engagement with our brand," Marc Jury, MultiChoice SA CEO, tells TVwithThinus.

"The new programme introduces a broader range of rewards, gamification, and the ability to earn and spend digital coins. More importantly, it gives customers the choice of how they want to spend their digital coins."

The DStv Rewards programme allows DStv subscribers to join for free through the MyDStv App, dstv.com, or WhatsApp, and once enrolled they are placed in a DStv Rewards tier. They then receive monthly discounts, rewards, spins on the Rewards Wheel, and challenges.

"The introduction of gamification was key to raising awareness of the programme and driving frequent engagement and interaction. Our goal was to create value and provide more choices for customers in a fun and enjoyable manner, Marc Jury explains.

"Challenges will include online games, interactive quizzes, and behaviour-driven tasks, such as paying on time, staying connected, and updating personal details."

"These challenges will allow customers to earn digital coins, which can be spent in our store according to their preferences. This functionality is set to roll out soon and promises to make the rewards programme more engaging and dynamic."

MultiChoice launched DStv Rewards in September 2020 and has since been recognised as one of the top 25 loyalty programmes in South Africa.

"Our biggest success has been the response to our unique and exclusive experiences, like Early bird tickets to SA Rugby matches, access to hospitality suites at sports events like soccer, rugby, and cricket), as well as access to hospitality suites at DStv Delicious Events," Marc Jury says.

"There has also been international trips, including the Rugby World Cup, Premier League matches, cruises, and special screenings, meet-the-cast experiences, meet the Springboks experiences, invitations to special awards evenings like the SARU awards, and special TV studio visits."

"Additionally, our loyal customers receive monthly rewards, such as package upgrades, anniversary gifts, Box Office rentals, discounted vouchers, and access to monthly competitions."

Jury says these rewards will continue to be part of the DStv Rewards value proposition, with more options being added.

Currently in its 4th year, MultiChoice's DStv Rewards programme has just reached a membership base of over two million subscribers.

"The programme is designed to reduce churn and encourage loyalty by rewarding customers for their tenure, product holdings, and positive behaviour through a tiered approach," Marc Jury explains.

"DStv Rewards is the only loyalty programme within the paid TV services industry in South Africa."

"We are one of the 25 most used loyalty programmes in South Africa and have been voted the most used loyalty programme in the Leisure category by both economically active and mass-market customers in the 2024 Truth Brand White Paper."

In 2023, DStv Rewards also won an award at the International Loyalty Awards for the best short-term campaign.

"This is just the start of many more exciting things to come," Marc Jury says. 

"We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Moment, a revolutionary payment platform by MultiChoice. This partnership will allow us to create a digital wallet where DStv coins can be redeemed for various goods and services, further enhancing the value and convenience for our subscribers."

Capitec offers Showmax for R49 as MultiChoice increases consumer price pressure competition on rivals like Netflix.

by Thinus Ferreira

South Africa's Capitec bank has entered into a mutual loss-leader partnership with MultiChoice's Showmax through which Capitec clients can pay R49 a month for Showmax, upping the consumer price pressure competition with rivals like Netflix.

Through the loss-leader strategy, Capitec hopes to attract clients and Showmax hopes to drive subscriber growth. 

The R49 per month for Showmax Entertainment on all devices through Capitec as opposed to the R99 monthly for this plan, will also increase pressure on global rivals operating in the country like Netflix South Africa, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.

Capitec is South Africa's largest digital bank with 12 million active app users. 

Showmax trails Netflix in South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa in the video streaming race, but last year the former MultiChoice executive Yolisa Phahle said the relaunched Showmax will make R18 billion in five years.

MultiChoice and Showmax are behind target in acquiring subscribers which is estimated to be between 700 000 and one million. MultiChoice aims to have 25 million subscribers by 2028, which means Showmax would need far over 100% growth year-on-year to reach this ambitious target.

MultiChoice recently increased Showmax pricing for its Entertainment plans with the Entertainment all-device plan increasing from R89 to R99 a month and the Showmax mobile plan increasing from R39 to R45. The Showmax Premier League plan remained unchanged at R69 per month.

The Showmax-Capitec loss-leader partnership means that Showmax's entertainment and mobile plans, paid through Capitec, will now be cheaper than even the relaunched cheaper promotional pricing of Showmax 2.0 of before the recent price increase.

Marc Jury, Showmax CEO, in a statement says "We are proud to have joined forces with Capitec to make entertainment even more accessible and affordable. We're kicking off this partnership with incredible pricing that we believe will make customers smile, giving South Africans access to the stories they love from across South Africa, the continent, the world and live football from the Premier League".

Henk Lourens, Capitec group executive for strategic initiatives, says "At Capitec we understand our clients' needs and have partnered with someone that shares our proudly South African vision".

"We want to make entertainment available anywhere and anytime at very affordable rates. We've partnered with Showmax to disrupt the entertainment landscape and create value to our clients. Our clients will have access to entertainment from less than R1 a day, and this is only the start of a very exciting journey with much more disruption to come."

The Showmax discounted vouchers are available to all Capitec clients through the Capitec banking app.

Showmax and Capitec pricing

Showmax Entertainment

Standard Price: R99

Capitec Price: R49

Showmax Entertainment Mobile

Standard Price: R45

Capitec Price: R22

Showmax Premier League

Standard Price: R69

Capitec Price: R34

MultiChoice's Showmax partners with Skyworth's QVWi to launch preloaded app Leap S2 streaming stick and Leap S3 streaming TV box from August.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax has partnered with Skyworth's QVWi and will launch a Leap S2 streaming stick as well as a Leap S3 streaming TV box from August pre-loaded with the Showmax app and a 2-month subscription.

With these streaming devices, older and incompatible TVs are transformed into smart TV sets.

From August QVWi, a Skyworth company which KwaZulu-Natal's largest local manufacturer of electronic products, will preload Showmax as a video streaming service app and a 2-months free subscription. 

It comes as Netflix's app is no longer working from this week on multiple models of older Sony smart TVs and Apple TVs and consumers and viewers are forced to buy new TV sets.

The QVWi Leap TV S2 streaming stick has built-in Google Chromecast technology and the device can be plugged into a TV's HDMI port to start streaming shows directly from the Showmax app to the TV.

The QVWi Leap S3 streaming TV box works in the same manner and will also offer access to Showmax's content library. 

Showmax warns that only Showmax subscribers on the Showmax Entertainment plan will be able to watch Showmax on their flat-screen TVs. 

Subscribers on the Showmax Entertainment Mobile and Showmax Premier League Mobile plans will not be able to use these QVWi devices to watch on big-screen TVs.

The QVWi Leap TV streaming stick has a recommended retail price of R999 and the QVWi Leap S3 streaming box has a recommended retail price of R1199, with both making it possible for TV viewers to upgrade older model TVs to latest streaming technology.

The QVWi devices are compatible with a wider range of TVs and home entertainment systems for a premium HD viewing experience, has lightning-fast processors, and come with dual-band Wi-Fi and up to 100M ethernet support for a lag-free viewing experience. 

It has Chromecast built-in for cordless viewing using a phone, tablet or laptop, an easy-to-use navigation interface and a Google Assistant button on the voice remote that can be used to request specific shows or to do a search by genre, actor and more.

It also has Bluetooth compatibility and provides personalised recommendations and watchlists based on viewing habits.

"We are thrilled to partner with QVWi to bring these innovative, affordable streaming devices to the market," says Marc Jury, Showmax CEO.

"Our goal has always been to make entertainment accessible to everyone. This partnership helps us achieve our mission to be the home of streaming for Africa by providing our customers with more affordable options to enjoy our fantastic content."

Nazim Cassim, QVWi retail CEO, says "Collaborating with Showmax allows us to leverage our technological expertise to create products that enhance the user experience".

"These devices provide a smooth and lag-free viewing experience that will immerse you in the action, whether you're binge-watching a show or enjoying a blockbuster movie. Prepare to be amazed by the incredible sights and sounds that await you."

MultiChoice's relaunched Showmax does first price increase from August, pricing of bundled packages remains unchanged.

by Thinus Ferreira

After six months the relaunched Showmax is doing its first price increase since the unveiling of the new version of MultiChoice's video streaming service - although the prices of its two bundled packages will remain unchanged.

From August, Showmax Entertainment will increase 11.2% from R89 to R99, while Showmax Entertainment Mobile is going from R39 to R45 - an increase of 15.4%. Both these increases are above the current inflation rate.

The pricing of the Showmax Premier League package will remain unchanged at R69 a month. 

The pricing of the bundled Showmax Entertainment (all devices) + Premier League (mobile) package remains unchanged at R140 and the pricing of the Showmax Entertainment (mobile) + Premier League (mobile) package also remains unchanged at R99. 

Showmax says its Showmax Entertainment Mobile price of R45 is "at the low end of mobile streaming prices globally". It's the first price hike for Showmax since MultiChoice retooled the streamer in partnership with Comcast's NBCUniversal.

Marc Jury, Showmax CEO, says "Pricing is something that all businesses have to review regularly, and we launched with attractive pricing on the new Showmax platform".

"We are thrilled that we've been able to keep Showmax Premier League and bundled Showmax plans unchanged, bringing all 380 Premier League matches to millions of football fans in Africa and continuing to focus on making streaming affordable and effortless."

He says "No other streamer has this range of the best international and local content at an incredible price."

Since its relaunch in February, MultiChoice added 40 Showmax Originals to the streamer, including localised shows produced in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.   

Showmax Entertainment's R99 price from August is its original launch price in 2015.

MultiChoice that is coming off a disastrous financial year for the year ending end of March 2024, is under immense pressure to grow its Showmax subscriber numbers and to also move the streamer towards a position of profitability. MultiChoice told investors last year that it aims to achieve profitability for Showmax in 2027.

Last month when it released its financial results, MultiChoice noted that Showmax's paying subscriber base grew 16% since the relaunch in February to the end of March but continues to decline to provide any subscriber numbers.

 

		Showmax Entertainment  All devices	Showmax Entertainment Mobile	Showmax Premier League    Mobile	Showmax Entertainment Mobile + Premier League Mobile bundle	Showmax Entertainment All devices + Premier League Mobile bundle
All Premier League    live matches + extra Premier League content		-	-	✓	✓	✓
Series, movies, kids’ shows, documentaries incl. Showmax Originals, MultiChoice Originals, Universal Pictures, NBC, Peacock, Sky, DreamWorks Animation, HBO, Paramount, Lionsgate, Sony, Warner Bros. Discovery, BBC, ITV, Telemundo, Banijay, eOne, Fremantle and more.		✓	✓	-	✓	✓
Number of concurrent streams		2	1	1	1 stream Entertainment  1 stream Premier League	2 streams Entertainment  1 stream Premier League
Mobile apps		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓
Smart TV, laptop, Android TV, Apple TV apps		✓	-	-	-	✓  (only for Entertainment content, no access to Sport section)
Maximum video resolution		HD (1080p)	HD (1080p)	HD (1080p)	HD (1080p)	HD (1080p)
Downloads available for offline viewing		✓	✓	✓ (only for VOD content, not live streaming)	✓ (only for VOD content, not live streaming)	✓ (only for VOD content, not live streaming)
Data saving settings		✓	✓	✓	✓	✓

MultiChoice's DStv price increase for 2024: Two packages increasing with above-inflation rates.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice will increase DStv prices again from 1 April with two packages seeing an above-inflation increase.

DStv Premium is increasing from April 2024 by 5.7% from R879 to R929, with a 6.9% increase for DStv Compact Plus increasing from R579 to R619.

DStv Compact is increasing 4.5% from R449 to R469, DStv Family is increasing 3.1% from R319 to R329, while DStv Access is increasing 7.8% from R129 to R139. DStv EasyView is remaining the same at R29.

MultiChoice is increasing the DStv Access fee by 4.3% from R115 to R120 monthly, with no increases for the ADD Movies package at R79 monthly and DStv BoxOffice rentals also remaining unchanged at R40 per popcorn couch-watching pop.

All streaming-only services will maintain their current subscription fees. 

DStv Compact Plus and DStv Access are the two packages getting price hikes bigger than South Africa's inflation rate of 6%. DStv Access is however getting a sport-injection in the form of access to content from ESPN, La Liga, SuperSport Variety 4 and the SuperSport Blitz channels.

To promote its relaunched Showmax video streaming service, MultiChoice will soon rebrand and reprogramme one of the M-Net packaged linear TV channels on DStv to carry a curated offering of the content on offer on Showmax to aid sampling. 

This will include locally produced series made for the Showmax platform that DStv subscribers will be able to watch on the linear channel.

MultiChoice is also introducing what the Randburg pay-TV operator calls a "Price guarantee" agreement, whereby DStv subscribers can ensure that their subscription fee remains fixed for the period of their contract, as well as its subscription price adjustments for 2024.

"We're excited about DStv Price Guarantee which secures a price lower than today for our customers who sign up for our 24-month deal to beat the increase," says Marc Jury, MultiChoice SA CEO.

"Our priority is to ensure that we continue to provide unparalleled entertainment, which includes local South African stories and the world’s best sports. Subscribers can look forward to an array of exciting content such as Big Brother Mzansi as well as major sporting events like the SA20 Cricket and the Olympic games."

"We believe these adjustments are reasonable considering the significant 16% year-on-year depreciation of the Rand against the US Dollar, and our commitment to securing long-term broadcast sports rights and international studio deals, which are priced in US Dollars," he says.

"As Africa's premier entertainment provider, we are committed to delivering exceptional value to our customers. We have an excellent line-up of local and international shows and sports. Our customers can also look forward to continued savings on our DStv Internet bundles, DStv Insurance, and Namola."

South Africa streamers roll-out: What the new Showmax means for Max, Paramount+ and Peacock.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's revamped Showmax streamer will start its roll-out today, 23 January, in app stores as a new app that will carry the content from Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) - but that doesn't mean that the Paramount+ video streaming services won't launch in South Africa as a stand-alone, although it's now extremely unlikely that NBCUniversal's Peacock and WBD's Max will.

MultiChoice has retooled its Showmax streamer in partnership with Sky in the United Kingdom and Comcast's NBCUniversal's Peacock streaming service which will make its official debut in app stores on 23 January.

Using NBCUniversal's Peacock subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) architecture to build a new Showmax after nine years to more effectively take on primarily global streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ on the African continent, the likelihood is now drastically dimming that NBCUniversal will launch Peacock as a stand-alone streamer in South Africa or across sub-Saharan Africa.

The same goes for Max (formerly HBO Max) from Warner Bros. Discovery.

Here is why:

1. Peacock

With Comcast's NBCUniversal and Sky content already baked into the new Showmax, it's becoming ever-unlikely that Peacock as a late-market entrant will unfurl its streaming plumage in South Africa since its content is now funnelled through Showmax.

In a sense, the new Showmax literally is Peacock, just with a different name and colours.

2. Max

 The likelihood that Max will launch as its own video streamer in South Africa is now also extremely dim. WBD hasn't made Max available in the United Kingdom - a very comparable market to South Africa - precisely because of Sky. 

And remember that MultiChoice operates a lot like Sky. Because of existing agreements with Sky's traditional pay-TV business, WBD is giving its content like Discovery channels shows and HBO content to Sky for its pay-TV channels like Sky Atlantic and for on-demand viewing and streaming.

Since WBD has similar deals with MultiChoice and M-Net in South Africa, that Discovery and HBO content from America will continue to be seen on linear TV like M-Net (DStv 101), on-demand on DStv Catch Up, and on streaming through the new Showmax.

There is a decreasing need now for WBD to launch Max - and take onboard the cost involved - in South Africa when it can reside as an "HBO" tile within the new Showmax carousel.  

Paramount+

3. But what about Paramount's Paramount+ which is also a late-market entrant?

Paramount is launching Paramount+ around the world as a so-called "hard bundle" as a streaming service it is making available in partnership with traditional pay-TV operators as it adds Paramount+ to conventional pay-TV packages. Indeed Paramount+ is available in the United Kingdom already, although Paramount also license content and pay-TV channels to Sky.

In South Africa - and indeed across sub-Saharan Africa - Paramount and Paramount Africa have been running traditional pay-TV channels on MultiChoice's DStv for years. 

Paramount has also made sought-after Paramount+ content like Halo available on Showmax, and indeed will continue to, like the second season of Halo, launching on 8 February, which will be available on the new Showmax.

At MultiChoice's media briefing for the new Showmax at its MultiChoice City headquarters in Randburg last Monday, Katherine Liu, executive vice president and COO of Paramount international markets, said "MultiChoice and Paramount have had a long and successful partnership for over 15 years and we have a long track record of working together to bring African audiences the best of our award-winning and globally beloved content".

"As a result, Paramount content is already available on Showmax but we are super excited to partner with you in this new launch and to participate in the streaming-for-Africa revolution."

"Africa is one of the most exciting and diverse places on Earth. You have some of the youngest and most engaging entertainment audiences anywhere and in Showmax we are confident that we have a partner that understands Africa and that can speak to the heart of local audiences in East, West, Southern and Central Africa."

"We can't wait to bring the best of Hollywood content and content from all around the world to Showmax customers, wherever you happen to be - whether it's at home or on the go."

Natalie Mdladla, Paramount Africa spokesperson, in a media query was asked for an update on Paramount+ launching in South Africa, and if Paramount+ would still launch as a stand-alone streamer if Showmax already carries Paramount content, but she didn't respond.

MultiChoice: Not the end of adding stand-alone streamers 

Besides its own Showmax and nowits new Showmax, MultiChoice already carries streamers like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ on its decoders which will also be included on products like DStv Glass (a bespoke TV set with a decoder built-in) which is likely to launch towards the end of the year.

During the new Showmax media briefing, I asked MultiChoice whether the launch of the new Showmax - with WBD and its HBO content, and Paramount with its Paramount+ content - means that MultiChoice won't be adding further streamers as apps like Max and Paramount+ separately, and will now just funnel all their content through Showmax.

"No, that's not necessarily the case," Marc Jury, MultiChoice SA CEO and interim Showmax CEO said.

"This goes to the beauty of what we've got between DStv and Showmax and having them all under one family."

"There's a big plan internally of how we hunt as a pack where DStv is more on the aggregation side and I think you'll see a lot of that play out over the course of the next 12 months - I don't want to give away too much in terms of the announcements that will come there."

"So to answer your question, no."

MultiChoice's revamped Showmax streamer to relaunch 12 February with price drop.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax is officially relaunching on 12 February as it aggressively takes on global challenger Netflix on the African continent, dropping the price of its main entertainment package to R89.

The Showmax Entertainment package (all devices) will cost R89 per month. 

The launch price of R89 is R10 cheaper than the R99 pricing of the basic Showmax package the streamer launched with and stuck with since it launched nine years ago in August 2015.

The new Showmax Premier League mobile plan (mobile-only) will cost R69 at launch. 

Showmax Entertainment Mobile will cost R39 a month, while the bundled offer of Entertainment Mobile and Premier League mobile will cost R99. An Entertainment package (all devices) and Premier League mobile plan will cost R140. 

The new Showmax won't be offering live linear channels like the TV news channels which were available on Showmax Pro. 

MultiChoice and Showmax are not offering any package that allows English Premier League (EPL) content to be watched on a flatscreen TV, or launching with any ad-supported package tiers, at launch.

The revamped streamer is unveiled two years after MultiChoice and Sky started discussions about a streaming partnership. The new Showmax runs on the Peacock streaming platform of Comcast's NBCUniversal. 

With the "data saving" option enabled, the relaunched Showmax, running at a maximum resolution of 144p will use up to 40MB per hour. 

At best resolution screen quality of 1080p - the relaunched Showmax won't offer 4K resolution - the streamer will gobble up to 1.2GB of data per hour. MultiChoice and Showmax will announce a data partnership soon. The new Showmax offers Dolby 5.1 surround sound.

The new Showmax app will become available in app stores from 23 January 2024 onward for new Showmax subscribers. Existing Showmax subscribers will be ported over as part of an ongoing process that will start next week and which will be completed in February.

MultiChoice says that existing Showmax customers will start to get notification messages on how to access the new Showmax app this week and that by 12 February the new Showmax will be live in all 44 markets across Africa. 

As part of the relaunch boost the streamer will unveil 21 Showmax Original productions during February. MultiChoice and Showmax have placed mobile access to the EPL across Africa at the heart of the revamped streamer, offering 380 football games live on the Showmax Premier League plan.

"There are currently just over 450 million smartphones in the hands of individuals across Africa and more than 250 million avid football lovers on the continent," says Marc Jury, interim Showmax CEO.

"Showmax Premier League is a game-changing product that gives individuals a ticket to the football they love, wherever they are, on the device they always have with them, at a price that's impossible not to love."

Patrick Miceli, NBCUniversal's executive vice president and chief technology officer for direct-to-consumer and international, says "Peacock's best-in-class technology platform will deliver a world-class streaming experience to Showmax audiences".

"The Peacock platform was designed from day one to support both live and on-demand content, including the biggest live sporting events, so we look forward to extending that capability and reliability to the new Showmax."

Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice Group CEO, says Showmax's content offering is boosted "by its focus on the African market and strengthened by the vast creative and commercial presence already established by MultiChoice. Nobody understands Africa like we do. Showmax is putting the continent first with a powerful streaming service that will revolutionise streaming in Africa in 2024".

MultiChoice's Showmax 2.0 content: Strippers, students and serial killers.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's retooled Showmax will roll out a burst of new content from February to try and entice sampling and potential subscribers to sign up with a new content line-up for its video streaming service that includes male strippers, students and serial killers.

A lot hinges on the debut of MultiChoice's redressed Showmax, nicknamed "Showmax 2.0", that the Randburg-based pay-TV operator is doing in partnership with Comcast's NBCUniversal and its Peacock streamer as well as the United Kingdom's Sky.

With MultiChoice's traditional satellite pay-TV fortunes sagging it's pinning its hopes - like Hollywood's studios and content conglomerates which are fast transitioning - on the future of video streaming and subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) services.

When the wrapping comes off Showmax 2.0 in February the streamer will have a beefed-up repository of international content funnelled from the likes of Warner Bros. Discovery and its HBO, DreamWorks Animation, Paramount, Sony, NBCUniversal, Sky and more.

Meanwhile MultiChoice and M-Net allocated millions of rand the past months to commission new local content from South Africa and other African countries to debut specifically on the retooled Showmax, with plans to release 21 Showmax Originals from across Africa on the streamer in February.

In total the reworked Showmax plans to have 1 300 new hours of Showmax Originals in total releasing and added to the streamer in 2024 as part of its revamped content slate.

Showmax has at least two crime drama adaptations with Red Ink based on Angela Makholwa's serial killer story and Catch Me A Killer - an international co-production based on the memoir of Micki Pistorius, South Africa's first serial killer profiler.

Reality TV wise Showmax is doing Widows Unveiled which will follow the lives of widows of prominent businessmen. Sadau Sisters is a series starring the Nigerian actress Rahama Sadau. 

Chocolate Kings, is a reality show about male strippers while What Will People Say? is a dating show from Ghana. 

There will also be new seasons of South Africa's The Mommy Club and The Real Housewives of Durban.  

Youngins from Tshedza Pictures is a high school drama series, while Wyfie is an Afrikaans university drama series. Cheta'm is a new Nigerian drama series, Koek is a new Afrikaans drama series, with Ekhaya Backpackers as a new comedy series. 

Free Men is a Nigerian documentary series while Showmax will also unspool new seasons of Flawsome from Nigeria and Single Kiasi from Kenya and ENO from Ghana.

Four Valentine's Day films will be released on Showmax this year, including Forever Yena, Intlawulo and Matilda en Matthys from South Africa, as well as The Counsellor from Nigeria. 

"2024 is a big year for Showmax," says Marc Jury, MultiChoice SA CEO and Showmax interim CEO.

"We will be kicking it off with a content slate packed with world-class entertainment from the world's biggest brands plus more African Originals than ever before and the first ever mobile Premier League plan for Africa."