By Adedapo Adesanya

Showmax has announced that it would shut down its streaming services on April 30, 2026, bringing an end to its current operations.

The company disclosed this in an email sent to its subscribers, outlining key dates and what users should expect in the coming weeks.

According to the notice, the streamer set March 31, 2026, as the deadline for users to renew subscriptions or redeem vouchers, adding that from April 1, 2026, new subscriptions and renewals will no longer be available.

Recall that Canal+, which now owns MultiChoice, a pay-TV firm, earlier this month announced its decision to discontinue the streaming service due to its unsustainable operations.

MultiChoice launched Showmax across Africa 10 years ago in August 2015 to compete with the advent of streamers like Netflix, Apple TV, Amazon’s Prime Video, Disney+ and others, but it faced some challenges and couldn’t hit its target.

Even after it relaunched in partnership with Comcast’s NBCUniversal in 2024, it kept haemorrhaging cash without a viable return. Canal+ is looking to cut a combined €400 million by 2030, which will affect content.

NBCUniversal has a 30 per cent stake in Showmax as a joint venture. In its last annual results before the Canal+ takeover, MultiChoice revealed that Showmax’s trading losses had worsened by 88 per cent while revenue significantly declined.

With the winding-down plan now in full flow, Showmax informed subscribers that existing users can continue watching content until their subscriptions expire or until the end of April 2026.

“31 March 2026: Last day to renew your Showmax subscription or redeem vouchers,” the email stated.

It further reassured subscribers that there would be no immediate disruption for active users, noting that they can keep streaming content as usual within the transition period.

“No stress, you can keep watching as usual until your subscription ends, or until the end of April 2026, whichever comes first,” the company said.
The platform also hinted at a transition plan, stating that more details would be shared on how users can continue enjoying its content through other channels, particularly via DStv Stream.

“We’ll soon share how you can keep enjoying Showmax Originals and more on DStv Stream… So, ‘be on the lookout,” the email added.

MultiChoice has already started rebranding Showmax Originals as Africa Magic, M-Net, kykNET and Mzansi Magic Originals, with original series that will transition to these various DStv linear TV channels on the MultiChoice pay-TV platform.

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The popular Nigerian telenovela, Wura, is making a return to the screens on Monday, March 31, 2026, for the fourth season.

The programme will be aired exclusively on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151, GOtv Channel 8) and Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154, GOtv Channel 7), Business Post gathered.

It will air every weeknight at 8 pm on Africa Magic Showcase (DStv Channel 151, GOtv Channel 8) and at 8:30 pm on Africa Magic Family (DStv Channel 154, GOtv Channel 7).

Directed by Mr Rogers Ofime, Season 4 raises the stakes as Wura’s carefully built empire begins to crack under the weight of secrets, betrayal, and relentless pressure from every side. As alliances shift and loyalties are tested, the Adeleke dynasty stands on the brink of collapse.

A statement disclosed that the new season continues to follow the story of Wura Amoo Adeleke, the ruthless matriarch played by Scarlet Gomez, as she fights to survive the fallout from Season 3’s explosive ending.

Haunted by guilt and surrounded by enemies, Wura must protect her empire while her own family turns against her.

Wura Season 4 features an ensemble cast, including Ray Adeka, Yomi Fash-Lanso, Ego Iheanacho, Modesinuola Ogundiwin and many more.

“Season 4 is about consequences. Everything Wura has done, every choice she’s made, is coming home to roost. This season, we’re not holding back,” Mr Ofime said.

Also commenting, the Executive Head of Content and Channels at MultiChoice, Ms Atinuke Babatunde, said, “Wura represents the calibre of bold, compelling storytelling that Africa Magic was built to showcase.

“Bringing this powerhouse series to our platform is a statement about our commitment to premium African content. We’re proud to bring Wura to millions of viewers across the continent.”

By Adedapo Adesanya

The 98th edition of the celebrated Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards, known as the Oscars, was held on Sunday, March 15.

The ceremony was hosted by actor and comedian, Conan O’Brien.

Here is the compiled list of winners at the showpiece.

Best Picture

Bugonia

F1: The Movie

Frankenstein

Hamnet

Marty Supreme

One Battle After Another – WINNER

The Secret Agent

Sentimental Value

Sinners

Train Dreams

Best Actor

Timothée Chalamet, Marty Supreme

Leonardo DiCaprio, One Battle After Another

Ethan Hawke, Blue Moon

Michael B. Jordan, Sinners – WINNER

Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent

Best Actress

Jessie Buckley, Hamnet – WINNER

Rose Byrne, If I Had Legs I’d Kick You

Kate Hudson, Song Sung Blue

Renate Reinsve, Sentimental Value

Emma Stone, Bugonia

Best Supporting Actor

Benicio del Toro, One Battle After Another

Jacob Elordi, Frankenstein

Delroy Lindo, Sinners

Sean Penn, One Battle After Another – WINNER

Stellan Skarsgård, Sentimental Value

Best Supporting Actress

Elle Fanning, Sentimental Value

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Sentimental Value

Amy Madigan, Weapons – WINNER

Wunmi Mosaku, Sinners

Teyana Taylor, One Battle After Another

Best Director

Chloé Zhao, Hamnet

Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another – WINNER

Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value

Ryan Coogler, Sinners

Original Screenplay

Robert Kaplow, Blue Moon

Jafar Panahi, It Was Just an Accident

Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

Eskil Vogt & Joachim Trier, Sentimental Value

Ryan Coogler, Sinners – WINNER

Adapted Screenplay

Will Tracy, Bugonia

Guillermo del Toro, Frankenstein

Chloé Zhao & Maggie O’Farrell, Hamnet

Paul Thomas Anderson, One Battle After Another – WINNER

Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar, Train Dreams

Animated Feature

Arco

Elio

Kpop Demon Hunters – WINNER

Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

Zootopia 2

Documentary Feature

The Alabama Solution

Come See Me in the Good Light

Cutting Through Rocks

Mr Nobody Against Putin – WINNER

The Perfect Neighbor

International Feature

The Secret Agent, Brazil

It Was Just an Accident, France

Sentimental Value, Norway – WINNER

Sirāt, Spain

The Voice of Hind Rajab, Tunisia

Best Editing

Stephen Mirrione, F1: The Movie

Ronald Bronstein & Josh Safdie, Marty Supreme

Andy Jurgensen, One Battle After Another – WINNER

Olivier Bugge Coutté, Sentimental Value

Michael P. Shawver, Sinners

Cinematography

Dan Laustsen, Frankenstein

Darius Khondji, Marty Supreme

Michael Bauman, One Battle After Another

Autumn Durald Arkapaw, Sinners – WINNER

Adolpho Veloso, Train Dreams

Original Score

Jerskin Fendrix, Bugonia

Alexandre Desplat, Frankenstein

Max Richter, Hamnet

Jonny Greenwood, One Battle After Another

Ludwig Göransson, Sinners – WINNER

Best Casting

Nina Gold, Hamnet

Jennifer Venditti, Marty Supreme

Cassandra Kulukundis, One Battle After Another – WINNER

Gabriel Domingues, The Secret Agent

Francine Maisler, Sinners

Best Production Design

Frankenstein – WINNER

Production Design: Tamara Deverell; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau

Hamnet

Production Design: Fiona Crombie; Set Decoration: Alice Felton

Marty Supreme

Production Design: Jack Fisk; Set Decoration: Adam Willis

One Battle After Another

Production Design: Florencia Martin; Set Decoration: Anthony Carlino

Sinners

Production Design: Hannah Beachler; Set Decoration: Monique Champagne

Best Costume Design

Deborah L. Scott, Avatar: Fire and Ash

Kate Hawley, Frankenstein – WINNER

Malgosia Turzanska, Hamnet

Miyako Bellizzi, Marty Supreme

Ruth E. Carter, Sinners

Best Visual Effects

Avatar: Fire and Ash – WINNER

F1: The Movie

Jurassic World Rebirth

The Lost Bus

Sinners

Best Sound

F1: The Movie – WINNER

Gareth John, Al Nelson, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Gary A. Rizzo, & Juan Peralta

Frankenstein

Greg Chapman, Nathan Robitaille, Nelson Ferreira, Christian Cooke, & Brad Zoern.

One Battle After Another

José Antonio García, Christopher Scarabosio, & Tony Villaflor.

Sinners

Chris Welcker, Benjamin A. Burtt, Felipe Pacheco, Brandon Proctor, & Steve Boeddeker.

Sirât

Amanda Villavieja, Laia Casanovas, & Yasmina Praderas.

Best Makeup and Hairstyling

Frankenstein – WINNER

Mike Hill, Jordan Samuel, & Cliona Furey

Kokuho

Kyoko Toyokawa, Naomi Hibino, & Tadashi Nishimatsu

Sinners

Ken Diaz, Mike Fontaine, & Shunika Terry

The Smashing Machine

Kazu Hiro, Glen Griffin, & Bjoern Rehbein

The Ugly Stepsister

Thomas Foldberg & Anne Cathrine Sauerberg

Best Original Song

Dear Me

from Diane Warren: Relentless; Music and Lyric by Diane Warren

Golden – WINNER

from KPop Demon Hunters; Music and Lyric by EJAE, Mark Sonnenblick, Joong Gyu Kwak, Yu Han Lee, Hee Dong Nam, Jeong Hoon Seon, and Teddy Park

I Lied to You

from Sinners; Music and Lyric by Raphael Saadiq and Ludwig Goransson

Sweet Dreams of Joy

from Viva Verdi!; Music and Lyric by Nicholas Pike

Train Dreams

from Train Dreams; Music by Nick Cave and Bryce Dessner; Lyric by Nick Cave

Best Live-Action Short

Butcher’s Stain

A Friend of Dorothy

Jane Austen’s Period Drama

The Singers – WINNER (TIE)

Two People Exchanging Saliva – WINNER (TIE)

Best Documentary Short

All the Empty Rooms – WINNER

Armed Only With a Camera: The Life and Death of Brent Renaud

Children No More: “Were and Are Gone”

The Devil Is Busy

Perfectly A Strangeness

Best Animated Short

Butterfly

Forevergreen

The Girl Who Cried Pearls – WINNER

Retirement Plan

The Three Sisters.