The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has taken a stand against the decision to end the operations of the streaming service Showmax, claiming that the parent companies are neglecting a platform that played a significant role in fostering South African and African narratives.
In a public statement, the party expressed that the action taken by MultiChoice and its new French parent company Canal+ jeopardizes an important channel for both local productions and creative talent.
Strong catalogue of content
The EFF asserted that Showmax had established a robust library of content that elevated African voices and stories.
“A multitude of black productions have been pursued and platformed by Showmax, which reflect a variety of content ranging from telenovelas and soap operas to true-crime documentaries and a uniquely humane approach to reality television,” the party stated.
The party dismissed Canal+’s rationale that ending the service was necessary for financial discipline.
As per the EFF, a true dedication to advancing South Africa’s broadcasting and streaming landscape would have seen Canal+ leveraging its knowledge to rehabilitate the platform’s finances instead of opting for its closure.
Locally produced series and films
Initially launched by MultiChoice as a streaming alternative to conventional pay-TV, Showmax gained recognition for its offerings of locally produced series and films, complemented by international content.
The EFF cautioned that the shutdown could result in broader repercussions for the local film and television industry, especially impacting black creatives and independent producers who depended on the platform for distribution.
So far, MultiChoice and Canal+ have not publicly addressed the party’s criticisms.
