Showmax is a privately owned company headquartered in South Africa. It is a subsidiary of Multichoice and NBCUniversal and operates as a tier 2 media tech buyer. Founded in 2015, Showmax employs approximately 130 individuals and reported $6.5M in revenue as of 2023. The company specializes in media and TV services, functioning as an internet TV service in South Africa.
DStv announced on April 2, 2026, that eligible Showmax subscribers will receive trial access to DStv Stream Compact, valid until the end of May. This development follows MultiChoice's confirmation on April 1 that the African streaming service Showmax has entered its final month of operation and will completely shut down by the end of April, with March 31 marking the last day for subscription or voucher redemption. Previously, on March 20, TechCabal senior reporter Timi Jaiyeola identified low disposable income across Africa as a primary challenge for streaming platforms like Showmax, explaining that despite increasing internet access and a large population, the economic realities for average consumers hinder subscription service growth. Earlier, on March 19, MultiChoice informed customers that Showmax would cease operations on April 30, 2026, clarifying that "Showmax Originals" would transition to a dedicated section within its DStv Stream app after the platform's closure to keep content available.
Subscribe for full access to Showmax's products in full detail 
