Multichoice to launch Showmax 2.0 on Feb. 12

Multichoice on Monday said that the revamped version of its video streaming platform known as Showmax 2.0 would be launched on Feb. 12.

Mr Opeoluwa Filani, General Manager of Showmax Nigeria, disclosed this during a news conference in Lagos.

Filani said that the new Showmax 2.0 would feature three subscribion plans: Showmax Entertainment, Showmax Premier League and Showmax Entertainment, as well as Premier League.

He said the new application for Showmax 2.0 would be available for download from Jan. 23 while the old application (Showmax 1.0) will cease to exist from Feb. 12, when the new Showmax is introduced.

He explained that Showmax had engaged in global partnerships to achieve this and to gain access to world best international content.

He noted that affordability, accessibilty were important to Showmax’s ambition with the goal to be number one streamer in Africa.

“The new Showmax will offer football lovers a stand-alone Premier League plan for mobile, with all 380 games offered live on Showmax Premier League for N2,900 at launch.

“In addition to this, there are two more Showmax plans available to customers: Showmax Entertainment on mobile for N1,200 a month, as well as the Showmax Entertainment plan priced at N2,500 per month at launch.

“Ten months after MultiChoice, Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky announced a joint streaming vision for Africa, the new Showmax is here, featuring a refreshed brand and a massive content lineup.

“There are currently just over 450 million smartphones in the hands of individuals across Africa and more than 250 million avid football lovers on the continent.

“Showmax Premier League is a game-changing product that gives individuals a ticket to the football they love, wherever they are on the device they always have with them,” he said.

Filani noted that users of the previous version, Showmax 1.0, could migrate seamlessly with guidance from the streaming company.

Richard Masters, Chief Executive Officer of Premier League, who spoke virtually, said,  “Africa is incredibly important to the Premier League and our clubs; 20 per cent of Television audiences on any given matchday come from Africa.

“We are delighted with this Showmax initiative, which puts the Premier League in your pocket at a new price point so that millions more can enjoy our fantastic competition.”

Also speaking, John Ugbe, Chief Executive Officer in West Africa, Multichoice, said, “Showmax’s content offering is further boosted by its focus on the African market and strengthened by the vast creative and commercial presence already established by MultiChoice.

“Nobody understands Africa like we do. Showmax is putting the continent first with a powerful streaming service that will revolutionise streaming in Africa in 2024.

“As the first streaming service in Africa to make mobile downloads possible for offline viewing and the first to launch a mobile-only plan, Showmax has now delivered incredibly competitive new price points, with a growing network of payment options available to customers.

“This payment ecosystem is facilitated by Moment, another MultiChoice joint venture partner.

“Working with more than 200 payment partners such as banks, mobile money providers, retailers and payment schemes, Moment is building the broadest pan-African payments network.

“In addition, DStv customers will continue to have the option of adding Showmax to their DStv bill each month and benefitting from significant discounts.”

He said that Showmax would be announcing additional partnerships soon that will offer even more value to customers.

“The new Showmax app will become available in app stores from 23 January 2024 onward, as part of a staggered migration process across 44 markets.

“Existing Showmax customers will begin receiving communication with information on how to access the new app this week and by 12 February 2024 the new Showmax will be live in all markets,” he said.

Arinola Shobande, Head of Marketing, Showmax, said, “The new showmax is introducing a new era of premium entertainment, a new wave and language of entertainment built for all.

“The search engine feature on the new Showmax is well optimised and streaming for 24 hours will only attract 1 gigabit worth of data and this will be improved continually.”

Busola Tejumola, Executive Head, Content and Channels, West Africa at MultiChoice, said that Showmax would release 21 originals from African countries with five originals from Nigeria.

According to her, among the five Nigerian original content are “Cheta’m; “Sadau Sisters”; a documentary series-“Freemen”; a romantic comedy-“The Counsellor”;  and a new season of the hit drama series, “Flawsome”.

“Every project speaks about excellence and I appreciate everyone who worked behind the scenes to achieve this feat.

“Africa is our primary market, providing the best quality content and technology for our viewers,” she said.