MultiChoice Nigeria is reviewing technology for a new streaming platform after Showmax closed, while DStv Stream remains its interim service.
MultiChoice Nigeria is reviewing technology options for a new streaming platform months after discontinuing Showmax. Chief Executive Officer Kemi Omotosho said the company does not want to leave the streaming market without a dedicated product. The announcement came as MultiChoice unveiled new DStv and GOtv packages for Nigerian customers. DStv Stream will remain an interim option while the company designs a broader streaming experience.
MultiChoice begins a streaming technology audit
Omotosho said MultiChoice is conducting an audit to determine which platform can deliver a better viewing experience while remaining financially sustainable. The company has not announced a launch date, product name or final technology partner. 
TechNext24’s report said the review will consider how to improve content discovery and personalised recommendations.
The planned service follows a difficult period for Showmax. CANAL+, MultiChoice’s parent company, announced in March that Showmax would be discontinued after a review found its annual losses unsustainable. 
CANAL+’s official announcement also said the group intended to develop an in-house streaming platform for African and international consumers.
DStv Stream fills the immediate gap
MultiChoice has moved selected Showmax content to DStv Stream, but the migration has not included every programme. Some subscribers have reported missing episodes and titles that were previously available on Showmax. The company says it is working to accommodate more content within its existing service.
DStv Stream allows customers to watch live television, sports, films and other programmes through internet-connected devices. It can operate without a satellite decoder and also serves as a companion product for existing DStv subscribers. 
ThisDay’s coverage reports that the standalone service will cost from ₦6,000 monthly under the new structure.
The company will also need to protect viewing quality as more customers shift from satellite connections to mobile and broadband networks.
New packages target different budgets
The package changes will take effect on November 5, 2026. DStv customers will choose from Starter at ₦6,000, Select at ₦11,000, Sports at ₦21,000 and Premium at ₦44,500 per month. GOtv will also receive revised tiers designed around different viewing preferences.
MultiChoice says existing subscribers will be moved automatically to corresponding packages without losing prepaid service time. The company has positioned the restructuring as a way to give customers more choice while responding to economic pressure. It also says another price increase is not currently planned, although future decisions will depend on operating conditions.
African content remains central
The new streaming strategy will not focus only on technology. MultiChoice says it wants to continue investing in Nigerian storytelling and to use CANAL+’s international footprint to distribute local productions to wider audiences. Content libraries from Nigeria, France and other African markets could reach new viewers through the group’s broader network.
That approach could give Nigerian filmmakers more opportunities beyond the domestic market. It may also help MultiChoice compete with international streaming services by combining local stories, live sport and African entertainment. Diaspora Digital Media’s 
Entertainment section provides related coverage of the media and creative industries.
“For us, we want to see the Nigerian story told on our platform most importantly.” — Kemi Omotosho, Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Nigeria
Competition shapes the next platform
MultiChoice will return to a streaming market that includes Netflix, YouTube and regional digital services. Viewers increasingly expect flexible subscriptions, reliable playback, personalised recommendations and access across phones, tablets, smart TVs and computers. A new service will need to meet those expectations without repeating the losses that contributed to Showmax’s closure.
The company must also decide how much content should remain exclusive. Sports rights can attract subscribers, while local films and series can build loyalty. At the same time, expensive content production, data costs and payment challenges could affect the service’s profitability in different African markets.
Ultimately, MultiChoice’s platform review signals that Showmax’s closure was not an exit from streaming. The company is using DStv Stream to maintain an online presence while it studies a more sustainable product. Its success will depend on technology, pricing, local content and a clear response to changing viewing habits. Until the audit ends, the new platform remains a plan rather than a launched service.
