Showmax

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Showmax
Showmax logo.svg
Type of site
Video on demand
Available inEnglish
HeadquartersSouth Africa
Area servedAndorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Gambia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Norway, Portugal, Reunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, San Marino, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, Zimbabwe[1]
IndustryEntertainment
ParentMultiChoice
URLshowmax.com
AdvertisingNo
RegistrationRequired
Launched19 August 2015; 6 years ago (2015-08-19)
Current statusActive

Showmax is an online subscription video on demand (SVOD) service which launched[2] in South Africa on 19 August 2015.[3]

Showmax is employing 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 competes with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.[7]

Showmax is a part of MultiChoice Group (which itself is a spin-off of Naspers, owner of 30.86% stake in Tencent which own similar service, Tencent Video and iflix).[8][9] Showmax's engineering team is based in the Czech Republic.[10] Showmax publishes engineering and research articles on a technical blog.[11]

Showmax offers consumers a free 14-day trial.

A recent Showmax Original series is The Wife inspired by the Hlomu series.

History[]

In December 2015, Showmax expanded its reach to audiences in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America and Canada.[12]

In May 2016, Showmax expanded to 36 countries in Africa, taking the total number of countries in which Showmax is available to 65.[13]

In July 2016, Showmax passed the 10 million views milestone.[14]

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.[15]

In October 2016, Showmax launched Showmax Select and Showmax Premium in Kenya.[16]

In January 2017, Showmax partnered with SEACOM to put caching servers in Nairobi, Kenya.[17]

In February 2017, Showmax launched in Poland.[18]

In December 2017, Saturday Night Live Polska launched.[19]

On 31 January 2019, Showmax was closed in Poland.[20]

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.[21]

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[22] and iOS[23] 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. Subscribers can select either a low bandwidth cap of 0.3 GB/hr, a medium cap of 0.7 GB/hr, or leave usage uncapped.[24]

Multiple profiles[]

In August 2016, Showmax added a multiple profile feature including the ability to set up child-friendly profiles[25] with four age settings.

Mobile plan[]

In October 2019, Showmax introduced a mobile plan at 50% of the cost of the standard subscription price.[26] According to Showmax,[27] "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 the new Showmax Pro service is based on the results of this. In addition to the standard version of Showmax Pro there will also be a mobile-only version at half the price.[28]

Device support[]

This is a list of supported devices:[29]

  • Personal Computers (using web browsers)
  • Apple iPhones and iPads running iOS 9.3 or higher
  • Apple TV (4th Generation and later)
  • Android phones and tablets running Android 4.1 or higher
  • Android media and TV devices running Android 4.1 or higher
  • Samsung Smart TVs (2012 and later)
  • Samsung Tizen Smart TVs (2015 and later)
  • LG NetCast Smart TVs (2012 to 2014)
  • LG WebOS Smart TVs (2014 and later)
  • Hisense Vidaalite 2.0, Vidaa U2 Smart TVs (2016 and later, Africa only)
  • DStv Explora (South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria only)
  • Apple AirPlay
  • Google Cast (casting from the Showmax app for Android or iOS)
  • Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S
  • PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5 (South Africa only)

Availability[]

Showmax is available in the following countries:

  • In Africa:

Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritius, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Reunion, Rwanda, Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe

  • Outside of Africa:

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

  • No longer available

Poland and Canada

Content[]

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.

Showmax has content in English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, Kiswahili, Sepedi, SeTswana, Sesotho and isiXhosa.

Showmax Originals[]

Tali's Wedding Diary[]

On 13 June 2017, Showmax announced that filming of its first original series Tali's Wedding Diary, a mockumentary featuring Julia Anastasopoulos, had begun.[30][31][32] On 16 November 2017, Showmax released a trailer for Tali's Wedding Diary.[33] It was announced that it would be available on Showmax on 14 December 2017.[34][35][36]

Tali's Wedding Diary was the most-awarded comedy at the South African Film and Television Awards in 2019, making Showmax the first streaming service to win at the awards.[37]

In November 2020, shooting for the follow-up series, Tali's Baby Diary, was announced,[38] and all 10 episodes landed on Showmax in March 2021, with critics calling it "the best South African TV show of 2021 so far".[39] 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.[40]

The Girl From St Agnes[]

Main article: The Girl from St. Agnes

Showmax's first original drama series The Girl From St Agnes was released on 31 January 2019.[41] 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.[42] The series was filmed on location in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands.[43]

Trippin with Skhumba[]

In February 2019, Showmax announced its first original travel show, Trippin with Skhumba,[44] hosted by South African comedian Skhumba Hlope. The theme music used for the series is the hit record "Spirit" by Kwesta.[45] The series launched on 28 February. Guests on the first season include South African comedians such as Celeste Ntuli,[46][47] Siya Seya,[48] Salesman,[49] Mashabela Galane,[50] Tumi Morake[51][52] and Schalk Bezuidenhout.[53][54]

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.[55]

Rage[]

In March 2020, Showmax launched its first original horror movie.[56] 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,[57] starring award-winning South African singer Kelly Khumalo.

Season 2 of Life With Kelly Khumalo aired on Showmax from May to August 2021.[58]

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.[59]

In January 2022, the cast of The Real Housewives of Durban Season 2 was announced:[60] 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 is due to start on 28 January 2022, with new weekly episodes landing on Showmax every Friday.

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[61] that filming had begun on a second season of Crime and Justice.

DAM[]

Showmax announced in November 2020 that filming had wrapped on the psychological thriller DAM,[62] which landed on Showmax in February 2021, drawing comparisons to HBO's The Outsider.[63]

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.[64]

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.[65]

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.[66]

Devilsdorp[]

Main article: Devilsdorp

Temptation Island South Africa[]

Showmax announced in February 2021 that it had licensed its first international reality format and would be bringing Temptation Island to South African shores.[67] 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.

[]

In August 2021,[68] 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 120 episodes in total, split into three seasons of 40 episodes each. 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.[69]

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[70] 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.[71]

External links[]

References[]

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  2. ^ "ShowMax: We're better than Netflix".
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  4. ^ Wexler, Alexandra (24 December 2016). "In Africa, a Homegrown Rival Takes on Netflix". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  5. ^ Vourlias, Christopher (14 December 2016). "Africa Offers Big Potential for Streaming Video". Variety. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
  6. ^ "Showmax seeking new telco partnerships". www.techcentral.co.za. 18 January 2017. Retrieved 24 January 2017.
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  71. ^ "Who's who in the cast of Troukoors (Wedding Fever)". Showmax Stories. 10 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
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