The handful of you who still subscribe to DStv might’ve already noticed the new ‘1max’ channel among the tens of others you hardly watch. MultiChoice quietly launched 1max on channel 103 at the start of April for Premium and Compact Plus subscribers which turned out not to be a weird joke.
The new channel is home to select content from the newly relaunched Showmax streaming service — which explains how the creative folks at MultiChoice arrived at the name.
So, just the 1max, then?
“The content on 1max gives viewers only a sample of what’s available on the streaming service and encourages viewers who enjoy the shows to go to showmax.com and get streaming,” writes DStv.
The “samples” of content include “dynamic, authentic African stories with an edge” like the Tracking Thabo Bester documentary, a new thriller called Red Ink, and shows from other African countries including Nigerian telenovela Wura and The Real Housewives of Lagos.
If you’re more interested in international shows, maybe “samples” of Ted, Yellowstone, or The Good Doctor can entice you to give MultiChoice more money. Luckily for those who are interested (and don’t already know this, somehow), DStv Premium subscribers already have full access to Showmax while Compact Plus subscribers can sign up at a heavily discounted rate.
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So what’s the point of the new channel if the only people with access are already likely subscribed to Showmax, we hear you asking. That’s a great question.
The best answer we could come up with was this is a targeted attempt to get more Compact Plus subscribers to move up a package or spring for a Showmax subscription. Considering a Showmax subscription for Compact and Compact Plus subscribers is discounted by 45%, down to R50/m, it doesn’t seem like a bad deal.