Showmax is gone. The standalone Showmax app was discontinued on 30 April 2026, and its Originals now live inside the DStv Stream app rather than in a separate service. Showmax stopped taking new subscribers and renewals on 31 March 2026, and even paid-up users lost access when the app went dark at the end of April. MultiChoice offered eligible former subscribers a move to DStv Stream Compact at R99 per month for 12 months. If you want a like-for-like replacement, the main options now are Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video and DStv Stream itself. DStv + 2
The Showmax shutdown timeline
The closure ran in three stages: on 31 March 2026 Showmax stopped accepting new subscribers and renewals; on 30 April 2026 the app was switched off, with paid-up subscribers losing access on that date or when their month ended; and from 1 May 2026 selected Showmax Originals moved into a dedicated section inside DStv Stream. Fibre Tiger
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 31 March 2026 | Showmax stopped new sign-ups and renewals |
| 30 April 2026 | Showmax app discontinued at 23:59 |
| 1 May 2026 onwards | Showmax Originals available inside DStv Stream |
Your old Showmax profiles and watch history did not carry across to DStv Stream. DStv
Why Showmax closed
Showmax launched in 2015 as MultiChoice’s answer to Netflix, but it never became profitable. By the financial year ending March 2025 it had recorded trading losses of R4.9 billion, an 88 percent jump on the R2.6 billion lost the year before. After Canal+ acquired MultiChoice, the new owner folded Showmax Originals into DStv Stream and shut the separate platform down. Geekhub
One important gap: the Hollywood catalogue that the relaunched Showmax was built on, including HBO, Warner Bros and Paramount titles, was not confirmed to move to DStv Stream. If you subscribed mainly for those international series, DStv Stream may not replace them, and the rights now sit with other services.
What to watch instead
Netflix remains the default for international series and films, with plans reported at roughly R59 a month for Mobile up to about R229 for Premium. Confirm the current tiers and prices on Netflix directly, as the service has adjusted its South African pricing more than once.
Amazon Prime Video is now one of the cheaper options and picked up some of the Warner Bros and DC catalogue that Showmax used to carry. Disney+ is the family and franchise pick, covering Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars.
DStv Stream is the closest thing to the old Showmax-plus-sport combination, because it carries Showmax Originals, live channels and SuperSport in one app. Its entry tiers start around R99 a month, while the top Premium tier runs into the hundreds. Confirm the current amount with DStv before relying on it, as streaming prices change periodically. Yomzansi
Common problems and what they mean
If you are still being billed for Showmax after 30 April 2026, the charge should have stopped when the service closed, so check the payment method you used to subscribe, whether that was a card, your DStv bill, or a bank app deal, and query it with that provider. Capitec and some banks that offered Showmax discounts process the cancellation on their side.
If you took the R99 DStv Stream Compact offer, note it is a promotional price. The R99 rate was tied to a 12-month period, after which standard DStv Stream pricing applies, so diarise the date your promotional year ends to avoid an unexpected jump.
If you cannot find a show you used to watch on Showmax, it may not have moved to DStv Stream. Only selected Originals transferred, and licensed international titles often shifted to other streamers, so search Netflix, Prime Video or Disney+ for the specific title.
FAQ
Is Showmax still available in South Africa?
No. The Showmax app was discontinued on 30 April 2026. Showmax Originals now appear inside the DStv Stream app.
What happened to my Showmax subscription?
Billing ended when the service closed. Eligible former subscribers were offered DStv Stream Compact at R99 a month for 12 months.
Where can I watch Showmax Originals now?
Inside the DStv Stream app, in a dedicated Showmax section, alongside live channels and sport.
Did my Showmax watch history move to DStv Stream?
No. Profiles and watch history did not carry across, so you start fresh on DStv Stream.
What is the cheapest Showmax alternative?
Netflix Mobile and Amazon Prime Video are among the lower-cost options. Confirm current prices on each service before subscribing.
Why did Showmax shut down?
It ran heavy losses, reaching R4.9 billion in the year to March 2025, and its new owner Canal+ folded the Originals into DStv Stream instead.
What to watch
The open question is where the old Showmax international catalogue lands, since the HBO, Warner Bros and Paramount titles were not confirmed for DStv Stream and may surface on rival services over the coming months. Canal+ has also signalled a review of DStv’s pricing structure, so the DStv Stream tiers that replaced Showmax could change. Any move on those fronts would change the guidance above.
