Showmax is an online subscription video on demand (SVOD) service which launched[2] in South Africa on 19 August 2015.[3] Showmax uses a localisation strategy[4] to take on established video on demand competitors with a focus on local content[5] and partnerships with mobile telcos.[6] In South Africa Showmax has managed to out compete eight domestic competitors.[7] It continues to compete with international video steaming services Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.[8]
In December 2015, Showmax expanded its reach to audiences in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and North America.[13]
In May 2016, Showmax expanded to 36 countries in Africa, taking the total number of countries in which Showmax is available to 65.[14]
In July 2016, Showmax passed the 10 million views milestone.[15]
In August 2016, the Showmax logo was changed from framed black and white logotype using camel case to an all lower-case logotype with added dark magenta and teal stripes.[16]
In October 2016, Showmax launched Showmax Select and Showmax Premium in Kenya.[17]
In January 2017, Showmax partnered with SEACOM to put caching servers in Nairobi, Kenya.[18]
On 31 January 2019, Showmax was closed in Poland.[21]
On 7 July 2020, Showmax Pro was launched in Kenya and Nigeria. The new service bundles the existing Showmax entertainment service with music channels, news, and live sport streaming from SuperSport. The offering includes all the games from the UK's Premier League, Italy's Serie A and La Liga, and South Africa's Premier Soccer League.[22]
Features
Downloads
Showmax's download feature allows users to download up to 25 shows or movies at a time and watch them offline on Android[23] and iOS[24] tablets and smartphones. There are four different quality settings to reduce the amount of data required to download.
Bandwidth capping
In August 2016, Showmax launched a bandwidth-capping tool that allows users to choose different quality levels. The bandwidth caps include a low cap of 300 MB per hour, a medium cap of 700 MB per hour, or to leave usage uncapped.[25] In April 2022, Showmax announced that a new bandwidth cap would be introduced, called Max Data Saving, which allows subscribers to use only 50 MB per hour.[26]
Multiple profiles
In August 2016, Showmax added a multiple profile feature including the ability to set up child-friendly profiles[27] with four age settings.
Mobile plan
In October 2019, Showmax introduced a mobile plan at 50% of the cost of the standard subscription price.[28] According to Showmax,[29] "Smartphones and tablets are, for many in Africa, the primary, if not only, window to the internet, and up until now none of the most popular SVoD services has designed a product specifically for mobile usage."
Showmax Pro
In July 2020, Showmax launched live sport streaming service Showmax Pro and began roll out across 40 countries in Africa. In June 2019, Showmax began testing sport live-streaming, and by 2022, the Showmax Pro service was available across 50 African countries in sub-Saharan Africa.[30] Showmax Pro is available on up to five different devices, with two concurrent streams. The Showmax Pro Mobile service allows streaming on one device, with one stream. In October 2022, Showmax announced that for the first time, Showmax Pro subscribers could stream in 4K, with all 64 games of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 available to stream in ultra-high-definition to subscribers across the continent.[31]
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom
In Africa the Showmax catalogue consists of Hollywood, British, Kenyan and South African content. Outside of Africa the Showmax catalogue consists of Showmax Originals, kykNET International, M-Net, Mzansi Magic, and Via content targeted primarily at an expat audience.
On 13 June 2017, Showmax announced that filming of its first original series Tali's Wedding Diary, a mockumentary featuring Julia Anastasopoulos, had begun.[33][34][35]
On 16 November 2017, Showmax released a trailer for Tali's Wedding Diary.[36] It was announced that it would be available on Showmax on 14 December 2017.[37][38][39]
In November 2020, shooting for the follow-up series, Tali's Baby Diary, was announced,[41] and all 10 episodes landed on Showmax in March 2021, with critics calling it "the best South African TV show of 2021 so far".[42] The main cast returned for the follow-up, which followed Tali and her husband Darren as they prepared for the birth of their first child. Julia Anastasopoulos returned as Tali, with Anton Taylor reprising his role as Darren, Glen Biderman-Pam as Darren's business partner Rael, and Lara Toselli as Tali's frenemy, Gabi. New faces included Siv Ngesi as Rael and Darren's corporate nemesis and Kate Pinchuk as their new receptionist.[43]
In August 2022, Showmax announced that filming on the third instalment of the show, Tali's Joburg Diary, had started, and that episodes would land on the platform in November 2022.[44]
Showmax's first original drama series The Girl From St Agnes was released on 31 January 2019.[45] In the eight-part murder mystery, the mysterious death of a schoolgirl at an elite boarding school sets off a desperate hunt for the truth.[46] The series was filmed on location in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.[47]
Trippin with Skhumba
In February 2019, Showmax announced its first original travel show, Trippin with Skhumba,[48] hosted by South African comedian Skhumba Hlope. The theme music used for the series is the hit record "Spirit" by Kwesta.[49] The series launched on 28 February. Guests on the first season include South African comedians such as Celeste Ntuli,[50][51] Siya Seya,[52] Salesman,[53] Mashabela Galane,[54] Tumi Morake[55][56] and Schalk Bezuidenhout.[57][58]
Somizi & Mohale: The Union
In February 2020, Showmax premiered Somizi & Mohale: The Union. The four-part wedding special featuring Somizi Mhlongo and Mohale Motaung broke viewing records on Showmax.[59]
Rage
In March 2020, Showmax launched its first original horror movie.[60] In Rage, a group of school-leavers goes to a tiny coastal town to celebrate the end of their school careers.
Life With Kelly Khumalo
In August 2020, Showmax premiered reality show Life With Kelly Khumalo,[61] starring award-winning South African singer Kelly Khumalo.
Season 3 of Life With Kelly Khumalo launched on 5 July 2022, with new episodes every Tuesday until 27 September 2022. The third season follows the star at the pinnacle of her career and the height of her fame.[63]
The Real Housewives of Durban
On the 29th of January 2021, Showmax premiered the Showmax-exclusive Durban franchise of The Real Housewives. The show is based on an ensemble cast of six women from Durban. The Season 1 cast was made up of Sorisha Naidoo, Annie Mthembu, Kgomotso Ndungane, Ayanda Ncwane, Nonku Williams, and Nonkanyiso Conco (also known as LaConco and MaConco). [1]
In September 2021, Showmax announced that the second season of The Real Housewives of Durban, as well as the first season of The Real Housewives of Lagos, would premiere in early 2022.[64]
In January 2022, the cast of The Real Housewives of Durban Season 2 was announced:[65] Sorisha Naidoo, Annie Mthembu, Nonku Williams and LaConco would be returning for the second season, joined by Jojo Robinson, Londie London and Thobile MaKhumalo Mseleku. The Real Housewives of Durban Season 2 started on 28 January 2022, with new weekly episodes landing on Showmax every Friday until 15 April 2022.[66]
On 6 May 2022, Showmax released the first of the two-part season reunion, with the second part of the reunion landing on 13 May 2022.[67]
Crime and Justice
This police procedural and legal drama, consisting of 8 episodes, was both Kenya’s first Showmax Original and Showmax’s first co-production with Canal+. The episodes are based on Kenyan true crime stories, and stars Sarah Hassan and Alfred Munyua as two detectives with the Nairobi Metropol Police. The first season premiered on Showmax in February 2020, and the series has since been nominated for three Kalasha Awards, including Best TV Drama, Best Lead Actress and Best Lead Actor. In November 2021, Showmax announced[68] that filming had begun on a second season of Crime and Justice.
New episodes of Season 2 of Crime and Justice landed on Showmax from 21 February 2022.[69]
DAM
Showmax announced in November 2020 that filming had wrapped on the psychological thriller DAM,[70] which landed on Showmax in February 2021, drawing comparisons to HBO's The Outsider.[71]
DAM is an eight-episode Showmax Original made in partnership with the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, the Amathole District Municipality and Picture Tree, shot on location in the towns of Bedford and Adelaide in the Eastern Cape.
Lea Vivier stars as Yola Fischer, who returns to the small town where she grew up after the death of her father. Pallance Dladla plays the biker Themba, who arrives in town after fleeing secrets of his own, and Faniswa Yisa plays his aunt Lindiwe. Other cast members include Natasha Loring as Yola's sister, Sienna, and Antoinette Louw as their aunt Dora.[72]
DAM was the most nominated drama at the South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) in September 2022, with 11 nominations. Natasha Loring won her first SAFTA for her role as Sienna, and Sue Steele won for Best Art Directing.[73]
In September 2022, Showmax announced that filming on Season 2 had begun in the Eastern Cape.[74] Season 2 is due to launch in 2023 on Showmax.
Skemerdans
In March 2021, Showmax released the first trailer for the Cape Flats neo-noir series Skemerdans, created and directed by Amy Jephta with Ephrahim Gordon co-directing.[75]
The 13-episode mystery series landed on Showmax in April 2021, with Kevin Smith, llse Klink, Vinette Ebrahim, Brendon Daniels and Trudy van Rooy starring as the members of the Fortune family, who find themselves at the centre of an investigation after a murder is committed at the Oasis Jazz Club, which their family have owned for decades.[76]
Showmax announced in February 2021 that it had licensed its first international reality format and would be bringing Temptation Island to South African shores.[77]Temptation Island South Africa premiered on 26 August 2021, with the trailer dropping on 26 July 2021, introducing the four couples who would be putting their relationships to the test by living in a men's and women's villa with hot singles looking for love.
Temptation Island South Africa was produced by Afrokaans Film & Television and hosted by Phat Joe. Distributed by Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of Banijay, Temptation Island is a Teen Choice-nominated pop culture phenomenon, which has been adapted 25 times and counting.
The explosive two-part reunion of Temptation Island South Africa brought the couples and singles back to screens on 25 November 2021, marking the end of the 14-episode season.
Ghana Jollof
In August 2021, the cast for the first Showmax Original comedy series in West Africa, Ghana Jollof, was revealed. Directed by Diji Aderogba (About A Boy) and produced by Nigerian comedian Basketmouth, the 13-episode series includes an ensemble Nigerian and Ghanaian cast.
The Wife
In August 2021,[78] Showmax announced a new slate of Original series that included an adaptation of the best-selling novel Hlomu The Wife, self-published by South Africa author Dudu Busani-Dube. Billed as Showmax's first Original telenovela, The Wife is produced by Stained Glass, the same production company behind eHostela and Uzalo, the latter being the most-watched soap opera in South Africa.
The Wife is divided into three seasons. Each season is based on one of Dudu Busani-Dube's books in the series: Hlomu The Wife, Zandile The Resolute, and Naledi His Love. The first three episodes premiered on Showmax on 11 November 2021, and broke the streaming platform's record for the most first-day views, which was previously held by controversial reality series Uthando Lodumo. The Wife also broke Showmax's record for the most hours watched within four days of launch, which was previously held by true crime documentary Devilsdorp.[79]
Season 1 of The Wife came to an end on 3 February 2022 and Season 2 started on 17 February 2022, starring Khanyi Mbau as Zandile.[80] Season 2 ended on 5 May 2022, with Season 3 slated to land on the platform late in 2022.
On 5 August 2022, Showmax launched The Wife: Behind the Veil, an eight-episode Original that tells the behind-the-scenes stories of The Wife Seasons 1-2.[81]
In September 2022, Showmax announced that Season 3 of The Wife had started being filmed, and that it would land on the platform in November 2023.[82] On 10 November 2022, the first three episodes of Season 3 landed, introducing Wiseman Mncube as the new star portraying Mqhele Zulu. Gaisang K Noge and Kwenzo Ngcobo return as Naledi and Qhawe respectively, the star-crossed lovers at the centre of the season.[83] Three new episodes land every Thursday into 2023.
Baba Twins
In November 2021, Showmax announced its first Kenyan Showmax Original film, Baba Twins, a comedy-drama produced by Lucy Mwangi, known for her work on award-winning series Njoro wa Uba. Baba Twins follows young airline hostess Wamz, played by Violetta Ngina, and radio presenter Tony, played by Morris Mwangi, who unexpectedly become parents to twins. The movie was released on Showmax on 15 December 2021.
Troukoors (Wedding Fever)
In November 2021, Showmax released the trailer[84] for its first Original romcom, Troukoors (Wedding Fever), which landed on Showmax on 13 December 2021, and already renewed for a second season. The 14-episode first season followed wedding planner Jessica, played by Ilse-Lee van Niekerk, who is surrounded by love but struggling to find it for herself. Troukoors is created by SAFTA winner Louis Pretorius and SAFTA nominee Albert Snyman, with regular collaborator Nina Swart directing.
Blyde Smit stars as Jessica's sister Luca, and Bianca Flanders plays her best friend, Abi. Other stars in Season 1 include Lea Vivier, Armand Aucamp, Evan Hengst, Kevin Smith and Christiaan Schoombie.[85]
Season 2 of Troukoors was announced on 6 April 2022,[86] and the full boxset of Season 2 landed on 5 May 2022.
Single Kiasi
Adapted from the South African drama series Unmarried, Single Kiasi is a Kenyan Showmax Original about three women dealing with life, love, the daily hustle and their careers in Nairobi.[87]
Gathoni Mutua plays Sintamei, Minne Kariuki plays Mariah, and Faith Kibathi stars as Rebecca.
Single Kiasi (originally titled Single-ish) landed on Showmax on 20 January 2022, and all episodes are now available to stream.
Sex in Afrikaans
The six-part docuseries Sex in Afrikaans premiered on Showmax on 14 February 2022. Clinical psychologist Bradley R Daniels helps four Afrikaans couples and two singles to have candid conversations about their sex lives for the first time in public. All six episodes were made available as a boxset on the day of launch.
ENO
The First Showmax Original from Ghana, ENO follows a family of three sisters who are pushed by their mother, Abena Baafi the matriarch, into the path of wealthy suitors. But the girls all have minds of their own, and their mother's dream quickly turns into their worst nightmare.[88]
Gloria Osei-Sarfo plays Abena, Emelia Asieudu plays Tessa, the eldest daughter, Esi Hammond plays Safowaa, the bookish middle daughter, and Mariam Owusu Poku plays the lastborn, Kendall.
ENO premiered on 4 March 2022.
The Real Housewives of Lagos
In September 2021, Showmax announced that The Real Housewives of Lagos[89] would premiere in early 2022. On Friday, 8 April 2022, the first episode dropped on Showmax, featuring businesswoman Carolyna Hutchings, influencer Laura Ikeji-Kanu, lawyer and luxury hair brand owner Chioma Ikokwu, celebrity stylist Toyin Lawani-Adebayo, Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo and PR expert Mariam Timmer.
All episodes of The Real Housewives of Lagos are available on Showmax, including the explosive two-part reunion.
Living The Dream With Somizi Season 5
On 12 April 2022, Showmax announced that the fifth season of the reality show Living the Dream with Somizi would be landing first on Showmax on 4 May 2022, picking up after his split with Mohale.[90] The first four seasons are also available on Showmax to stream. The fifth season featured appearances from some of South Africa's most celebrated celebrities as well as Somizi's family, including his daughter Bahumi. The finale landed on 6 July 2022.
Igiza
On 5 May 2022, Showmax announced the upcoming Kenyan Original, Igiza.[91] The thriller series, set against the backdrop of Nairobi's fashion industry, landed on Showmax on 23 May 2022, starring Serah Ndanu playing the role of twin sisters. New episodes drop every Monday.
Pulse
The Showmax Original horror, Pulse, was announced on 23 May 2022, and all episodes dropped on Showmax on 23 June 2022. The series follows a group of video game developers who become trapped in a real-world version of their own creation when they’re cornered in their high-rise office building by a madman who just wants to play.[92] Tarryn Wyngaard, Thapelo Mokoena, Sven Ruygrok and Carel Nel star, and Sallas de Jager directs.
Journey of the Beats
The Nigerian Showmax Original that tells the story of Afrobeats - from its origins in the backstreets of Lagos to global festivals, stadiums and the Grammy Awards - premiered on Showmax on 23 June 2022, and is now available to binge-watch. Journey of the Beats featured some of Nigeria’s biggest artists, like 2Baba, P-Square, Onyeka Onwenu, Daddy Showkey, Flavour, and D’Banj.[93]
Mohale: On the Record
Mohale: On the Record, the Showmax Original tell-all special featuring Somizi's ex, Mohale Motaung, was announced on 13 June 2022. The interview landed on 4 August 2022.[94]
County 49
The Kenyan Showmax Original County 49 was announced on 4 August 2022, with the first episode landing on 25 August. The series follows the corruption and greed that threatens Kenya's fictional and flourishing 49th county.[95]
BBNaija S7: The Buzz
In August 2022, the seventh season of Big Brother Naija launched, streaming live on Showmax, along with the exclusive Showmax talk show The Buzz landing on Tuesdays and Saturdays, hosted by media personality Toke Makinwa.[96]
Somizi & Mohale: End of the Road
On 10 August 2022, Showmax announced the upcoming unauthorised documentary about Somizi and Mohale's high-profile wedding and separation, Somizi & Mohale: End of the Road. The documentary has been live on Showmax since 25 August 2022.
Uthando Lodumo
With Season 1 of the reality series about the lives of Gqom superstars Mampintsha and Babes Wodumo available to binge-watch, Showmax released Season 2 of Uthando Lodumo on 1 September 2022, and all episodes are available to stream.[97]
Steinheist
At the end of August 2022, Showmax released the trailer for upcoming Showmax Original docuseries Steinheist, by the creators of the smash-hit Showmax Original Devilsdorp. Steinheist examines the biggest corporate scandal in South Africa's history. All three episodes have been available since 6 October 2022.[98]
Blood Psalms
In August 2022, Showmax released the first-look trailer[99] for the African fantasy epic Blood Psalms. The first two epiosdes landed on 28 September, and new episodes land every Wednesday until the end of November 2022.[100]
The cast includes Bokang Phelane as Princess Zazi, Mothusi Magano as her father, mad king Letsha, and Zolisa Xaluva as General Toka, the head of her father’s Akachi army.[101]
Created by Layla Swart and Jahmil X.T. Qubeka from Yellowbone Entertainment, Blood Psalms is set in Ancient Africa, where the young Princess Zazi must save herself and her people from the end of the world. She faces warring tribes, angry gods - and her own father. [102]
Diiche
Diiche is the first Nigerian Showmax Original limited series. The psychological thriller about an A-list star implicated in the murder of her fiancé has been streaming since 29 September, and all episodes are now available to binge-watch.[103]
Flawsome
The first episode of the Showmax Original Nigerian drama series Flawsome landed on 10 November 2022. The series follows four close friends who navigate their careers, relationships and love lives as women in a man's world.[104] The series stars Bisola Aiyeola, Ini Dima-Okojie, Sharon Ooja, and Enado Odigie. New episodes land every Thursday.
