MultiChoice’s decision to shut down Showmax marks a significant shift in the African streaming landscape, consolidating content under DStv Stream. The discontinuation will take effect on April 30, 2026, affecting subscribers in Nigeria and beyond.
Eligible Showmax subscribers will receive trial access to DStv Stream Compact until May 31, 2026. This offer applies to customers without an active DStv subscription who subscribed directly to Showmax.
A curated selection of Showmax Originals is now available on DStv Stream. Some of these include popular Nigerian titles such as Wura, Flawsome, Cheta M, and The Real Housewives of Lagos and Abuja.
After the trial period, customers can continue on DStv Stream Compact at N6,500 per month for 12 months if their payments remain up to date. This move follows the Canal+ acquisition of MultiChoice, which expanded Canal+’s subscriber base to 40 million.
Showmax launched in Nigeria in 2019 and transformed local storytelling during its operation. It commissioned dozens of titles and thousands of hours of Nigerian content over its seven years.
ID Africa commented on the shutdown: “The curtain may have closed on Showmax, but the stories that made it special are far from over.” Rogers Ofime noted that having a platform invest in local narratives was a game-changer for creators.
James Omokwe emphasized that Showmax validated their ambition by providing necessary resources. The future of original content from Nigeria remains uncertain as many industry stakeholders await further developments.