They will form the new Showmax group, which will be 70% owned by MultiChoice and 30% owned by NBCUniversal.
MultiChoice Group, Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky have signed a new deal to bring some of the world’s best content and technology to streaming customers across MultiChoice’s 50-market footprint in sub-Saharan Africa.
They will form the new Showmax group, which will be 70%t owned by MultiChoice and 30% owned by NBCUniversal.
The companies said the partnership is designed to create a leading streaming service in Africa which comes at a time when the continent is approaching an inflection point in terms of broadband connectivity and affordability.
Further details about the new Showmax service, including the launch date, content and pricing will be announced at a later date.
Powered by Peacock’s globally-scaled technology, Showmax subscribers will have access to an extensive premium content portfolio, bringing African audiences the best of local and international programming.
In addition to the accelerating investment MultiChoice has made in local content, the service will include award-winning and critically acclaimed international content licensed from NBCUniversal and Sky, as well as third-party content like HBO, Warner Bros. International, Sony and others, as well as live English Premier League (EPL) coverage.
The partnership will also provide access to all the best African content such as Showmax Originals and local content from MultiChoice’s proprietary channels including Mzansi Magic, Africa Magic and Maisha Magic.
NBCUniversal and Sky will provide ongoing support through the licensing of both technology and content.
Commenting on the partnership, Calvo Mawela, Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice, said: “We launched Showmax as the first African streaming service in 2015 and are extremely proud of its success to date. This agreement represents a great opportunity for our Showmax team to scale even greater heights by working with a leading global player in Comcast and its subsidiaries. The new business venture deepens an already strong relationship and builds on the Sky Glass technology partnership that we announced in September last year. We believe we are extremely well positioned to create a winning platform going forward.”
Dana Strong, Group Chief Executive Officer, Sky, added: “This new collaboration in streaming and content with MultiChoice, NBCUniversal, and Sky takes our partnership to the next level in one of the world’s most vibrant, fastest growing markets. Last year, we announced MultiChoice as a customer of the Sky Glass platform and now we are excited to help innovate its Showmax streaming service.”
Matt Strauss, Chairman, Direct-to-Consumer & International, NBCUniversal, stated: “This partnership is an incredible opportunity to further scale the global presence of Peacock’s world-class streaming technology, as well as to introduce millions of new customers to extensive premium content from NBCUniversal and Sky’s stellar entertainment brands.”
