ShowMax app now one of most popular apps on Samsung Smart TVs; 3-month free ShowMax subscription with all Samsung Smart TVs bought in 2016.

ShowMax has partnered with Samsung, with all Samsung Smart TV's bought in 2016 that will come with a free 3-month subscription to the new subscription video-on-demand (SVoD) service from Naspers.

Samsung Smart TV users will be able to connect to ShowMax through its app and the service, normally costing R99 per month, will be free for three months.

Buyers of a Samsung Smart TV before 30 April 2016 will be able to redeem a unique voucher code for the 3-month free subscription of R297 and will need to complete a once-off sign-up process at showmax.com.

Once signed up, ShowMax can be accessed through the Samsung Smart TV app, through an internet browser, or on smartphones and tablets using the ShowMax apps for Android and iOS.

The growing ShowMax video catalogue has more than 20 000 TV show episodes and movies including Hollywood favourites, the best of British and popular local programming from MultiChoice and M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and kykNET (DStv 144) TV channels.

According to Samsung South Africa the new partnership between Samsung and ShowMax is expected to accelerate the adoption of video-on-demand in South Africa.

"Subscription video-on-demand services and Smart TVs are changing the way people experience video entertainment," says John Kotsaftis, ShowMax South Africa general manager.

"Our viewing statistics show that Smart TVs are one of the most popular ways people choose to watch ShowMax as the convenience and ease of use are compelling. It's one of the reasons why we're excited to be working with Samsung - we think that this partnership has the potential to drive a change in viewing habits in South Africa," says John Kotsaftis.

"The ShowMax app has become one of the most popular among our Smart TV viewers," says Matthew Thackrah, Samsung Electronics SA deputy managing director and head of consumer electronics.

Samsung launches South Africa's first news-on-demand, purpose-built eNCA app with video news on Samsung Smart TV's; first of its kind in Africa.

Samsung Smart TV's news-on-demand, purpose-built eNCA (DStv 403) app with video news for Smart TV's is a first of its kind in Africa.

Currently neither MultiChoice's DStv Explora nor MultiChoice's DStv Catch Up service provide any daily updated video-on-demand (VOD) TV news in its on demand content offering, and neither does streaming VOD services like the recently launched ShowMax or ONTAPtv for people who quickly want to get a sense of the day's news.

People with connected Samsung Smart TV sets are now however able to get some type of video news through using the app.

"We are excited to launch South Africa's first video-rich TV news app," says Matthew Thackrah, the deputy managing director and head of consumer electronics at Samsung Electronics South Africa.

"With progressively more connected technologies available in the market, consumers can access content across a variety of mediums. Our partnership with eNCA gives Samsung Smart TV owners a new way to consume news. The app means they can actively select the stories they want to learn more about, at their convenience," says Matthew Thackrah.

Samsung's eNCA app for South Africa has been designed with its Smart TV platform.

The eNCA news inserts on the app complement those featured on the eNCA website.

The eNCA app's emphasis is on video stories supported by minimal text for a visual experience, says Samsung. Users can access the text and images featured on the eNCA website through the Smart TV app if they want to supplement the stories with more depth.

Samsung says the existing eNCA Smart TV app is the second most popular app among Samsung Smart TV users in South Africa.

Samsung approached eNCA with the intention of collaborating with the 24-hour TV news channel from Sabido to offer viewers a value-added service.

The eNCA app also allows viewers to toggle a news ticker, that provides news headlines at the bottom of the TV screen that viewers can see scrolling wile they watch something else.

"Samsung Smart TV consumers are now able to watch the news on their terms – as and when they want to. They can also keep up to date with the latest headlines while watching TV."

"We are proud to deliver South Africa's first video-rich TV news app in partnership with Samsung," says Timothy Spira, general manager of eNCA's online division.

"When Samsung approached us to partner in developing and promoting a purpose-built eNCA app, we embraced the opportunity to be present on the leading Smart TV platform in South Africa."

Samsung South Africa and Vox Telecom offer 1TB bandwidth for a year to customers who buy a new Samsung Smart TV.

Customers in South Africa who now buy a Samsung Smart TV and who have an ADSL line can now get 1TB free for a year from Vox Telecom in a new deal.

Buyers of a Samsung Smart TV in South Africa will still be responsible for getting or having an ADSL line, and for paying ADSL line rental.

The deal is only valid for new Samsung Smart TV sets bought after 12 May through participating retailers in South Africa.

The 1TB is unthrottled and unshaped and will allow viewers to surf the internet without having to buy additional bandwidth for the Samsung Smart TV set.

"Our ability to offer a high quality, unrivalled internet experience is one of the many reasons Samsung chose to partner with us," says Gary Sweidan, the executive heads of products and marketing of Vox Telecom, in a statement.

"It was important for us to supply a data service solution that would enhance the consumer's viewing experience and we, together with Samsung, believe that our fat pipe ADSL product was the perfect match," says Gary Sweidan.