Streaming services are now abundant, which requires more precise planning and budgeting when choosing the platforms you prefer. You can’t just go for all of them, because then the monthly bill will rival DStv Premium’s monthly instalments. Now the Multichoice-owned streaming service, Showmax, is trying to sweeten the deal even further by offering a few seasons of content completely free to… anyone with a screen and a data connection.

Show me the Max

Showmax has been working on building its catalogue of proudly South African content to try and rival Netflix — the US-based streaming giant that, granted, don’t offer as much local content as the SABC would like it to. Regardless, the local streaming service is convinced its offering of local series’ is something that’ll pull in more viewers in its home country. Hence its latest offering.

In the list of free content options, you’ll find some local series (we’re not sure whether they’re favourites, you be the judge) like Being Bonang, Our Perfect Wedding, The Throne and Jan Braai. Of course, this is also home to some of South Africa’s first original series on a streaming service, like Tali’s Wedding Diary and the fairly recent Tali’s Baby Diary.

According to Showmax, viewers won’t have to sign in to an account to watch the free content. Also, it’s worth mentioning that most of the free content is limited to the first season of a series, which points to Showmax’s devious plan to try and hook you into a monthly plan. Its plans start as low as R50 a month for the mobile option, and go up to R100 for the full subscription. Whether you’re willing to put down some money after this… that’s up to you.