Showmax reports R2.6-billion in trading losses

Showmax, the MultiChoice Group-owned pan-African streaming service that was revamped and relaunched earlier this year, has reported trading losses of R2.6-billion for the year ended 31 March 2024.Subscriber growth on the platform is looking positive, though, with most of the Showmax 1.0 subscribers moving across to the new platform. Despite this, start-up costs relating to Showmax 2.0 put a dent in the group’s cash reserves, also reducing profitability for the year.“The commencement of the Showmax investment cycle reduced the group’s trading profit by R1.4-billion,” MultiChoice said in its annual results released on Wednesday.“Despite taking significant steps to control costs and protect cash flows, the increased cash-flow investment in Showmax, notably through R1.4-billion in additional trading losses and R1.7-billion in platform technology advances ... resulted in the group’s free cash flow declining by 79% to R589-million,” it said.MultiChoice said Showmax-related trading losses were better than it had expected at R2.6-billion, with the group’s “guided range” forecasting round R3-billion to R4-billion in losses.The “platform technology advances” relate to MultiChoice’s partnership with US-based Comcast in the effort to relaunch Showmax. Comcast supplied the platform capabilities of its Peacock streaming platform to ensure Showmax is ready for 4K/HDR and Dolby Atmos. Showmax was further customised for localised requirements, including support for low-bandwidth devices and functionality to offer data-saving streaming options to viewers.‘Incremental losses’Showmax revenues grew by 22% to R1-billion, and the group expects “to see incremental losses in the 2025 financial year given a full year of operational costs”.MultiChoice expects the effects of moving all content creation into its Content Hub, which pools resources across the continent and saves costs, to have a positive impact on its balance sheet in the coming year. Comcast owns 30% of Showmax and provides an equivalent portion of its funding requirements.“During the 2024 financial year, in order to fund the working capital requirements of Showmax, Showmax Africa Holdings Limited received a pro rata US$36-million (R687-million) in equity funding from NBCUniversal. This funding is recognised in non-controlling interests in the summary consolidated statement of changes in equity,” said MultiChoice.Comcast has a put option on its 30% stake in Showmax. According to Meloy Horn, head of investor relations at MultiChoice Group, the contract gives Comcast the option to sell its 30% stake in Showmax back to MultiChoice on the seventh anniversary of the Showmax 2.0 launch date.-TECHCENTRAL-

Showmax reports R2.6-billion in trading losses

Kommentaar

Republikein 2026-03-23

Meld asseblief aan om kommentaar te lewer

Showmax reports R2.6-billion in trading losses

Kommentaar

Republikein 2026-03-23

Meld asseblief aan om kommentaar te lewer

Intekening vereis om toegang tot inhoud te kry. ×

MELD AAN

Advertensie

Intekening vereis om toegang tot inhoud te kry.