Multichoice has finally decided to focus its efforts on streaming. After a tough few years for the broadcaster, facing Netflix and other streaming services on the scene, Showmax is getting a premium tier that includes live sport, called Showmax Pro.
The new bundle integrates the existing Showmax bundle of options with new services in the form of music channels, news and live sport streaming directly from SuperSport. “Showmax Pro features all Premier League, Serie A, La Liga and PSL games, as well as a wide range of other live sport events,” Showmax says.
Unfortunately for South Africans though, the service won’t initially launch in the country. Showmax Pro rolls out in Kenya and Nigeria on 7 July, after which additional countries follow in coming weeks. South Africa should have Showmax Pro up and running within the next six to eight weeks, according to the company.
It looks like live sport is a natural evolution for the service. In 2019, the company tested live sport segments in conjunction with SuperSport, and users were ecstatic. “The live sport test we ran on Showmax in conjunction with SuperSport has been well received, so that’s forming an integral part of our new Showmax Pro service,” says Niclas Ekdahl, CEO of the connected video division of MultiChoice.
Another interesting announcement is that Showmax plans to offer the Pro service in two options: a full bundle or a mobile bundle. The mobile Showmax Pro option will have all of the same features you’d get on the full app, but it’s only accessible on mobile — at half the price. Now, this gets us to the saucy part: the price.
As the rollout of Showmax Pro is only planned for Kenya and Nigeria right now, we only have pricing for those countries, which doesn’t necessarily give us more clues as to what it may cost in SA. Based conversions, the full Showmax Pro bundle could cost between R250 and R380, with the mobile version around R150. Those aren’t DStv prices but they’re not exactly cheap, as streaming services go. We’ll likely have an update about local pricing soon.
