MultiChoice shutters Showmax Pro.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice is shuttering its upsell Showmax Pro offering bundled with sports content after three years, in order to make way for its new tiered Showmax service with Comcast's NBCUniversal that it plans to launch within months, with a new subscription fee structure.

Laura Cooke, Showmax spokesperson, confirmed to TVwithThinus that Showmax Pro, launched just over three years ago in July 2020, is no longer available and that Showmax Pro subscribers are moved to other services.

MultiChoice, in partnership with Comcast's NBCUniversal and Sky in the United Kingdom, will relaunch a retooled Showmax in its attempt to better compete against the existing and growing collection of video streaming services available in South Africa and across the African continent - most notably Netflix which has the biggest market share of subscribers across the continent.

Since 1 October Showmax Pro at a cost of R349 per month is no longer accepting new subscriptions since the sports offering of "Showmax 2.0" at its relaunch will carry the English Premier League (EPL) and other sports content folded into the streamer's enhanced offering.

Existing Showmax Pro subscribers in South Africa are offered DStv Compact Plus Stream at the same price as Showmax Pro, while subscribers elsewhere on the African continent are offered a DStv Stream subscription at the same price as Showmax Pro. 

The alternative make-good offers are not available to Showmax Pro mobile subscribers.

MultiChoice: Why Showmax Pro isn't cannibalising DStv's M-Net and SuperSport viewers.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice says the premium tier of its own video streaming service, Showmax Pro, isn't cannibalising its existing base of DStv Premium subscribers paying for and watching premium content on traditional linear pay-TV channels like M-Net and SuperSport.

MultiChoice says existing premium pay-TV customers are not deciding to rather switch to Showmax Pro since the sports offering is limited and actually more comparable to DStv Compact, with a bigger focus on football content and not so much cricket and rugby content that's only accessible on higher DStv tiers.

MultiChoice released its interim financial results for the six months until end-September 2022 with its top-end premium subscriber base that shrunk by another 3% and 100 000 subscribers in South Africa. Its mid-market subscribers in South Africa shrunk by 100 000 DStv subscribers as well.

MultiChoice still managed to grow its overall number of pay-TV subscribers to 22.1 million customers and now has 9.1 million (41%) pay-TV subscribers in South Africa and 13 million (59%) in the rest of Africa (ROA).

In its interim results investors' call, Calvo Mawela, MultiChoice Group CEO, said "Showmax Pro is basically trying to make sure that those customers that are subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) customers and are not on the linear side of the business, are able to get sport over and above the SVOD offering that we give on Showmax".

"We have seen people that are on Showmax, trying to figure out how to get sport and that's why we gave them an offer which is similar to a DStv Compact offer, and the line-up of sports is similar to what is offered on Compact."

He said "we have seen a good traction in Showmax Pro and that's why we are reporting that subscriber numbers have almost doubled in this reporting period and we think that it has got legs to stand on and will continue to expand on it and make sure that we support it and people can see the value that it brings, especially to SVOD customers that are not interested in the linear side".

Tim Jacobs, MultiChoice Group chief financial officer (CFO) said "we don't see this necessarily as a massive substitution risk or a cannibalisation risk on our linear platform (DStv) because the sports offering is largely football, which is priced at a similar pricing level to what you can get football on DStv Compact Plus, but it addresses a different market segment that doesn't necessarily want to buy a DStv decoder".

"They want to rather operate in a more of a streaming kind of world. It's not that a premium customer will kind of substitute a premium package for a Showmax Pro package and then be watching cricket and rugby. It is a more limited sports package in there."

"It is still good. It's got most of the football leagues. And for the football fans it's a very attractive offering. But it is targeted at a very specific part of the market," he said.

About its commented video and video streaming subscriber growth, Tim Jacobs said that MultiChoice doesn't want to give specific Showmax, Showmax Pro and DStv subscriber and user numbers since it wants to keep this from competitors like Netflix, Disney, Amazon Prime Video and other global streaming services operating in the same space in South Africa.

"Unfortunately we've made a decision, given the competitive space that we're operating in, and the fact that we don't get much information from any of the participants in this space, to be very cagey about what information we share."

"It's just simply too competitively price-sensitive. So we don't disclose what those splits are, even in subscriber numbers or top-line revenue. What we do do, is give everybody a very clear indication as to the direction that we're travelling in and the relative quantum of what that looks like."

ALSO READ: As Eskom blackouts bite MultiChoice its premium DStv subscriber segment declines by another 3%.

SHOCKING SMACKDOWN. WWE wrestling slamdunked away from SuperSport linear on DStv and to MultiChoice's Showmax streamer as its new home in multi-year contract extension.

by Thinus Ferreira

With tepid viewership on SuperSport in South Africa for WWE and a massive drop in buzz since the American wrestling entertainment franchise jumped a few years ago from eMedia's e.tv to pay-TV, MultiChoice and SuperSport are shunting WWE away from its linear channels on DStv to its streaming service Showmax. 

SuperSport took over WWE from e.tv in September 2017 but over the past five years buzz and ratings for WWE on DStv were nowhere near the viewership it once had on the free-to-air channel.

In a new multi-year contract extension WWE is now pushed off SuperSport where a linear wrestling TV channel was created specifically for it, to Showmax which has an even smaller potential audience and viewership as a streaming service.

The result is that even fewer viewers will be watching WWE wrestling in South Africa and Africa, down from the number of people who watched as DStv subscribers on SuperSport, and down from the viewers who watched when WWE was on e.tv.

SuperSport will continue to broadcast live weekly episodes of shows such as Raw, SmackDown and NXT on a linear SuperSport channel, as well as WWE's premium live events.

MultiChoice and SuperSport are not specifying whether the WWE TV channel on channel 128 on DStv is getting terminated and removed but it wouldn't be surprising if the bulk of WWE content will now sit on Showmax.

The WWE's new deal with SuperSport to house WWE content on MultiChoice's Showmax is similar to what the WWE Network has done in the United States, where it has moved its content in a licensing agreement to NBCUniversal's Peacock video streaming service. 

WWE has done the same in Australia where its wrestling is now on Foxtel's Binge streaming service, and in Indonesia and the Philippines with Disney+ Hotstar.

In a statement Matt Drew, WWE senior vice president of international, says "Showmax Pro is the market leader and a perfect home for WWE content. By delivering our premium live events including WrestleMania, we believe this partnership will expand our audience and deliver even more to WWE fans throughout the region".

Barry Dubovsky, MultiChoice Connected Video chief operating officer, says in the statement "Adding WWE to the Showmax platform is an exciting development that we know our entertainment and sport-loving African subscribers are going to enjoy, making WWE even more accessible and affordable".

Hilariously, Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice Connected Video chief executive officer, is attributed the exact same drop-in quote in the WWE and MultiChoice press release issued to American media, saying "Adding WWE to the Showmax platform is an exciting development that we know our entertainment and sport-loving African subscribers are going to enjoy, making WWE even more accessible and affordable".

SuperSport acquires broadcasting rights to 2021 Africa Cup of Nations for sub-Saharan Africa, 52 matches will also live-stream on Showmax Pro.

by Thinus Ferreira

SuperSport has acquired the broadcasting rights for sub-Saharan Africa for the Confederation Africaine de Football's (CAF) 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).

The 33rd Afcon will take place in Cameroon between 9 January and 6 February 2022.

The 2021 Afcon was originally scheduled for June 2021 but was postponed, and was postponed a second time in June 2020 to January 2022 due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, but would keep the name 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.

The 2021 Africa Cup of Nations will be played by 24 teams in 5 cities (Douala, Yaoundé, Bafoussam, Garoua and Limbe) across Cameroon, with Algeria as the defending champions.

SuperSport will broadcast all 52 matches live on MultiChoice's DStv with several dedicated channels, with coverage by analysts and presenters.

In South Africa, the PSL channel will carry 43 matches with the remaining 9 matches available on the SS Variety 3 channel.

Across the rest of Africa excluding South Africa, the SS Variety 1 channel will feature 43 matches with the other 9 matches on the SS Football channel. GOtv will broadcast 43 fixtures (Select 2) with 9 more matches on Go Football.

For the first time MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax will also make all 52 2021 Afcon matches available as live streaming for Showmax Pro subscribers.

Showmax Pro will also carry 2021 Afcon magazine shows and game highlights throughout the tournament.

"Afcon is the continent's showpiece event and we are delighted to offer it on various channels and platforms," says Marc Jury, SuperSport CEO.

"With many big-name players and so much at stake, our expectations are of a hard-fought, entertaining tournament that delivers the action that African football is synonymous with."

Veron Mosengo-Omba, CAF general-secretary, says "SuperSport is an important platform in sub-Sahara and we are excited to team up with them for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations".

"It is important for CAF to ensure that the Afcon, being the single-biggest sporting event on African soil, and prime content, is accessible all over the world. This event is consumed not only by Africans but enjoys a global audience."

ALSO READ: StarTimes acquires broadcasting rights to 2021 Africa Cup of Nations for sub-Saharan Africa set for 9 January in Cameroon.

Showmax Pro adds sporting greats documentaries about Tiger Woods, Lewis Hamilton, Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson and Steve Ballesteros.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service has added a series of sports documentaries for December 2021 and January 2022 that are made available to Showmax Pro subscribers first.

The series of documentaries will become available for standard Showmax subscribers later in December.

The sports documentaries profiles sports stars like Mike Tyson, Floyd "Money" Mayweather, Tiger Woods, Lewis Hamilton and Seve Ballesteros and each documentary tells the story of how they've succeeded against the odds and made history in their respective sporting codes.

Here is a rundown with synopses of the various documentaries on Showmax Pro, and their release dates:

Fists of Iron - 10 December 2021

Fists of Iron tells the story of the baddest man on the planet, winner of multiple heavyweight world championships: Mike Tyson. 

Growing up was a struggle, but inside the ring, he steamrolled an entire division of elite athletes. This documentary takes a look at Mike Tyson’s incredible journey and the demons he has faced to become one of the greatest boxers of all time.

Floyd “Money” Mayweather - 17 December 2021

Whether it's taking on one of the best boxers in the world, Manny Pacquiao, or fighting the king of the Octagon, Conor McGregor, Floyd "Money" Mayweather puts on a show no matter the opponent.

This documentary tells the story of the man with the perfect boxing record over a career that has spanned more than two decades. From simple beginnings in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to headlining two of the biggest PPV events of all time, Floyd has proven time and time again that he is money.

Tiger Woods: Icon - 24 December 2021

The debut of a young Tiger Woods changed the game of golf forever.

This documentary tells a story of a young prodigy who breached the trench of a heavily white-dominated sport with the aim of conquering it.

Woods single-handedly transformed the perception of golf, opening the industry up to a new wave of youth and diversity. Despite the stream of negativity surrounding Tiger's private life, he has undoubtedly had the greatest effect of any sportsman on any sport in the modern era.

The Winning Formula - 31 December 2021

As the only black Formula One participant in history, Lewis Hamilton's journey to becoming its most decorated driver is one of dreams, courage and determination. 

Hamilton has had to overcome adversity from the very beginning, making waves in the nepotistic and monied world of karting. 

From his cold reception at karting tracks to basking in victory at Monaco, the documentary takes audiences through a journey of how Hamilton has risen above prejudice and discrimination to reach the apex of world motorsport.

Seve - 07 January 2022

Seve captures the late golfer Seve Ballesteros' brilliance on the course and his complexity off it.

 The 90-minute documentary focuses on the life and times of the great Spanish golfer, who died in May 2011 after an 18-month battle with brain cancer. 

Seve also captures some of the greatest moments in the legend’s career, including the 1976 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, where a 19-year-old Seve finished second to the legendary Johnny Miller.

The DStv pay-TV subscriber that is least likely to drop MultiChoice are those watching both SuperSport and eNCA.

by Thinus Ferreira

If you watch both SuperSport and a TV news channel like eNCA you're extremely unlikely to cancel your DStv subscription, or in other words, sport and TV news are the two biggest incentives that prevent churn and traditional pay-TV viewers from cancelling their service.

A new survey into so-called "cord-cutting" - the term used for traditional pay-TV viewers who either cancel their subscription television outright or who switch to over-the-top digital streaming services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video - has found that sports content and news content combined are the strongest driver to keep pay-TV viewers glued to a service.

Analysts Craig Moffett and Michael Nathanson of MoffettNathanson Research in America, in a new report issued on Tuesday of which some indicators will definitely hold true for pay-TV viewers globally, found that pay-TV sports viewers are most likely to keep their pay-TV subscription, followed by TV news viewers.

The combination of pay-TV viewers who watch sport - for instance the SuperSport offering of MultiChoice's DStv - as well as a TV news channel like eNCA (Dstv 403), SABC News (DStv 404) and Newzroom Afrika (DStv 405) - are the most engaged and "most loyal" pay-TV viewers, and least likely to ditch their subscription television.

Combined sports-and-news pay-TV viewers are the "least likely cord-cutters" when viewers in a pay-TV household are both sports and live news viewers.

This means that pay-TV viewers who are not interested in sports and don't watch it, and who don't watch and are not interested in news either, are the most likely to unsubscribe from something like DStv or StarSat.

MoffettNathanson says that sports viewers are not abandoning traditional pay-TV at all but estimates that regular sports viewers within the linear ecosystem of traditional pay-TV are actually increasing.

"We estimate that the drop in linear TV subscribers has come exclusively from people who do not view sports, and the increase in sports viewership has come primarily from people who either have cut the cord or never had a pay-TV subscription in the first place,” MoffettNathanson says.

In Africa, as is happening in America and Europe, pay-TV operators like MultiChoice are moving sports content from SuperSport to its Showmax Pro video streaming service, with MoffettNathanson that notes the move could increase cord-cutting as traditional pay-TV subscribers cancel to switch to streaming.

"We expect sports leagues and media owners will become more aggressive in moving sports content over-the-top as it appears to be driving incremental reach without cannibalising sports."

MultiChoice's Showmax Pro will again live stream all English Premier League matches, is also live streaming La Liga, Serie A and DStv Premier League.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service will once again live stream all English Premier League (EPL) matches on its Showmax Pro tier, and will also offer live stream all La Liga and Series A matches in South Africa and 49 other countries across Africa.

Showmax Pro is also streaming the DStv Premier League in more than 50 countries across Africa, as well as the UEFA Champion’s League for Showmax Pro subscribers in South Africa.

Following the live streaming of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Showmax Pro is live stream every match of the English Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, as well as the DStv Premiership in partnership with SuperSport.

The new season of Premier League, now in its 30th year, begins on 13 August, with newly-promoted Brentford hosting Arsenal to kick things off. 

As ever, the transfer season has had fans enthralled, with much of the focus on Tottenham striker Harry Kane’s future. For now, he is available to face Manchester City in Sunday’s Premier League season opener. Manchester City are the defending champions, having won their fifth Premier League title during the previous season.

Yet it is Manchester United, their cross-town rivals, who will be under more pressure. With manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer handed a new contract, he’ll be expected to do better than last season when their initial ambition gave way to City’s late-season heroics. 

The addition of four new managers will also add flair and a sense of anticipation to the league, not least the appointment of Rafael Benitez at Everton.

Spurs and Wolves also have new managers, but the most intriguing of all is Senegal-born Patrick Vieira at Crystal Palace. A World Cup winner for France in his day, the former midfielder will need to prove his management skills in double-quick time in an environment as unforgiving as the Premier League.

This will be the third season to use the video assistant referee (VAR) review system, and it will be the second season to have a February winter break.

The past 18 months were played largely behind closed doors, which affected the dynamics of play, not least the benefits of home advantage. The fans will be back from this week and so too the excitement of one of the most thrilling leagues in football. The season will end on 22 May 2022 with all 20 teams playing on the same day, bringing the curtain down on 380 fixtures.

Other European football action on Showmax includes La Liga, with action in the Spanish League beginning on 13 August with an opener between Valencia and Getafe. Atlético Madrid are defending champions, having won their 11th title last season.

In Italy, the Serie A campaign opens on 21 August with four matches: Hellas Verona vs Sassuolo, Inter vs Genoa, Empoli vs Lazio and Torino vs Atalanta.

Closer to home, the MTN8 this weekend will herald the start of the South African football season with the DStv Premiership starting the following weekend with champions Mamelodi Sundowns against last season’s runners-up AmaZulu on Friday, 20 August.

Last season, Sundowns become the first club to win four consecutive league titles since the establishment of the competition in 1996.

Four-time champions Orlando Pirates will host Stellenbosch FC in their opening league match on 21 August. Soweto rivals Kaizer Chiefs are scheduled to play TS Galaxy on 22 August.

Among many anticipated highlights, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates will meet in the first Soweto derby of the season on 6 November at FNB Stadium and again on 5 March, at Orlando Stadium.

MultiChoice's Showmax Pro to live-stream the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games from 23 July.

by Thinus Ferreira

Besides coverage on the SABC and a collection of SuperSport channels on MultiChoice's DStv, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games that was postponed to July 2021 will also be live-streamed on MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax Pro.

While Japan is struggling with rising Covid-19 cases as the global coronavirus pandemic shows no sign of easing and as the more dangerous and contagious Delta-variant originally from India spreads globally, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games plans to continue and will be shown on Showmax Pro from 23 July to 8 August.

"We are thrilled to bring all the action to our Showmax Pro subscribers to stream wherever they are, and we'll be backing our African athletes every step of the way," says Yolisa Phahle, MultiChoice CEO of general entertainment and connected video.  

 

Marc Jury, SuperSport CEO, in the statement says "There is no bigger – or better – celebration of sport than the Olympic Games. It's wonderful theatre, particularly at a time when we need to be entertained, and we look forward to the best-ever broadcast offering."

According to Showmax, Showmax Pro subscribers will have access to live streams of every event that is made available to SuperSport by the Olympic Broadcast Services, including the opening and closing ceremonies, and every medal event.  

 

While only Showmax Pro subscribers will have access to live streams of every available event, all Showmax subscribers will be able to stream exclusive Olympics coverage including talk shows, highlights, and documentaries.

MultiChoice's Showmax Pro launches in South Africa from 19 August with sports streaming, no free trial period because of sports rights.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice's subscription video-on-demand service on Wednesday morning announced that it's launching its Showmax Pro sports-streaming added service in South Africa from 19 August but with no free trial period because of sport rights.

In a note to Showmax subscribers, Showmax said that "from 19 August 2020, we'll be offering a new subscription plan - called Showmax Pro - in your territory".

Showmax Pro will cost R449 per month, and Showmax Pro Mobile will cost R225 per month.

Showmax Pro launched in Nigeria and Kenya on 7 July, and a week later expanded to 40 more countries across sub-Saharan Africa, but excluding South Africa.

Showmax Pro, an extension of the existing SVOD service, 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. 

Other Showmax Pro sports include UEFA Champions and Europa Leagues (South Africa only), Premier Soccer League, motorsport (not available in SA) like MotoGP, Dakar Rally, NASCAR Cup and tennis (not available in SA): All Grand Slams and ATP Tour events.

Showmax Pro will also show athletics (Diamond League, World Challenge League and more), running: Berlin, Boston, London, NYC, Soweto Marathons and more), boxing (selected IBF, WBA, WBO, WBC and African Boxing events), and in South Africa only - swimming, extreme sports, eSports, basketball, triathlon, horse racing, EFC, netball and hockey.

Showmax Pro won't show cycling in South Africa at launch, although it will show the Tour De France and World Tour events in other territories.

Due to the nature of sport licensing MultiChoice is offering no free trial on its Showmax Pro or Showmax Pro Mobile plans.

The Showmax Pro subscription plan includes a high definition (HD) quality video stream with access to selected sports, news & entertainment content offering; available on various devices; offers two simultaneous viewing streams; enabled for 5 registered devices.

The Showmax Pro Mobile subscription plan offers only a Standard defininition (SD) quality video stream,with selected sports, news & entertainment content offering; available only on smartphones and tablets; offers only one viewing stream; and enabled for one registered device.

A week after launching in Nigeria and Kenya MultiChoice's Showmax Pro expands into a further 40 African countries, still not in South Africa.

by Thinus Ferreira

A week after MultiChoice's subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service Showmax announced Showmax Pro as a new brand extension that bundles live sports content streaming from SuperSport into the offering, the video streaming service launched in 40 more countries in sub-Saharan Africa but still excluding South Africa.

In response to a media enquiry from TVwithThinus, Richard Boorman, Showmax spokesperson, sent a link to the Showmax website.

On the website link Showmax notes that after launching Showmax Pro in Nigeria and Kenya on 7 July, it has now extended it to more African countries.

Showmax Pro is now also available in Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Republic of Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Réunion, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Showmax Pro isn't available yet in South Africa with no date on when it will become available, or why South Africa has remains excluded. It very likely has to do with regional sports licensing rights through SuperSport which are different for South Africa and the rest of sub-Saharan Africa.

The pricing of Showmax is now Showmax Mobile $3.99 (R66.44), Showmax $7.99 (R133.06), Showmax Pro Mobile $8.99 (R149.71) and Showmax Pro $17.99 (R299.58).

MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax expands with Showmax Pro providing a live sports offering from SuperSport.

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. 

	Showmax		Showmax Pro
	Showmax	Showmax Mobile	Showmax Pro	Showmax Pro Mobile
Series, movies, kids’ shows, documentaries	✓	✓	✓	✓
IAAF Athletics, pro boxing, major international marathons, & more	-	-	✓	✓
Music channels Trace Urban, Trace Gospel	-	-	✓	✓
News channels Africa News, Euronews, Newzroom Afrika	-	-	✓	✓
Football: all Premier League, Serie A, PSL and La Liga games	-	-	✓	✓
Number of concurrent streams	2	1	2	1
Smartphone and tablet apps	✓	✓	✓	✓
Smart TV, laptop, Android TV, Apple TV apps	✓	-	✓*	-
Maximum video resolution	HD	SD	HD	SD
14-day trial	✓	✓	-	-
*Supported smart TVs: Samsung Tizen (2017-2020), LG WebOS (2014-2020)

Niclas Ekdahl, CEO of the Connected Video division of MultiChoice, says in a statement that  "Showmax is an African video on-demand service with many years' experience operating on this continent".

"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:

	Showmax		Showmax Pro
	Showmax	Showmax Mobile	Showmax Pro	Showmax Pro Mobile
Kenya	KSh 760	KSh 380	KSh 2100	KSh 1050
Nigeria	NGN 2900	NGN 1450	NGN 6300	NGN 3200