Multichoice is a South African company that operates DStv, a major satellite television service in Sub-Saharan Africa, and GOtv, a minor service operating in over nine countries of this area and the Showmax service.
JOHANNESBURG - MultiChoice decision to pull the plug on Showmax almost felt like a dagger in the chest for many locals whose first sight of the news came as a shock.
This is because for many, Showmax is known to carry a unique South Africa catalogue ranging from gripping dramas to reality shows.
Like clockwork every week, viewers from everywhere around the country would tune in to watch favourites like the Real Housewives of Durban.
It was there where phrases like ‘petals for my petal’ were born. But on the Johannesburg franchise, viewers learned that no matter how expensive, a jersey will always be a jersey.
READ | Canal+ clears final hurdle to acquire MultiChoice
When watching shows like The Wife, South Africans would clutch their collective pearls, seeing a more risqué side to the South African film industry.
The same emotional connection was felt with shows like Spinners, which was about more than extreme motorsport.
The series also shed light on crime and gang warfare, where young children are often lured into gangs.
READ | Helen Zille takes the hot seat in Showmax comedy roast
So, the closure of Showmax marks a bittersweet moment not just for viewers, but for the creatives who delivered nothing short of authentic Mzansi originals.
Veteran actor Ayanda Borotho who starred as Thandeka "MaKhumalo" Magwaza iThonga is no stranger to change.
Over the years she has navigated different broadcasting platforms and witnessed the industry transition from traditional television to streaming
But with every change comes mixed emotions.
“I think from a creative expective one gets worried when international companies come on board and make drastic changes because we do not know if the content produced will have that local flavour that Showmax does.
"That will be a concern, but the optimism is that as this door closes, or era of Showmax closes we are going to see growth and more compelling content,” Borotho.
Actor Bonko Khoza shared similar sentiments, describing the moment as both the end of an era and the beginning of something new.
Khoza, who rose to fame through Showmax productions such as The Wife and Red Ink, said he owes the streaming platform a great deal.
“Showmax made me. It was a pivotal point in my career but in the same breath it has made me realise that things are changing and I am excited to be alive and part of this change.
“I am grateful for what I was able to contribute to the channel, to the streamer and how they also poured into my career,” Khoza said.
He views the transition as an opportunity and hopes the new ownership will bring positive change and stronger industry support.
“I believe this is an expansion. It may appear to be a loss of one thing but sometimes you have to take off your old shoe to put on new ones,” he said.
France's Canal+ confirmed that it cleared the final regulatory hurdle for the buyout of Africa's largest pay TV enterprise MultiChoice and further expand its footprint on the continent.
The company initially said that South African Competition Tribunal had given its approval for Canal+ to acquire the approximately 55 percent of MultiChoice shares it does not already own.
Canal+ hopes that the acquisition will allow it to grow to 50 to 100 million subscribers in a few years, from 27 million currently.
READ | MultiChoice pulls plug on Showmax
Sales Director at Reach Africa and streaming specialist, Leslie Adams, said the streaming industry globally is moving towards subscriber count, and into a period where sustainable economics and scale matter far more.
“Content costs continue to rise, from premium series to sports rights, which makes it increasingly difficult for platforms to compete without significant scale. As a result, consolidation across the sector is inevitable, and we're likely to see more moves like these,” Adams said.
At the same time, Adams said there is mounting aggregation and advertising-supported models as platforms search for new revenue streams.
He said for viewers, this likely means fewer standalone services, but stronger platforms, more bundled offerings and a growing mix of subscription and ad-supported viewing options.
Veteran actor and tv producer Sonia Mbele said as much as the Multichoice deal is great for opening up the industry, most producers felt circumvented, blackballed and lowballed.
However, she believes that change is good.
Mbele produced the first ever Real Housewives franchise in Africa through the launching of the Real Housewives of Johannesburg. She hopes for a new lineup at Multichoice and new people that don’t have pre-conceived notions and are out there to start afresh by giving every fresh idea a fair chance.
“Personally, I’m excited for the new and exciting ideas my team and I have been putting together. This could be the comeback television has been looking for. We’re excited to explore new ventures and new evolved ideas.”