• Showmax Originals and select titles are moving to DStv Stream, where they will live in a dedicated Showmax section within the app.
• The move ensures the award‑winning African stories remain widely available after the Showmax service closes on 30 April 2026.
• DStv Stream brings together on‑demand entertainment and live TV, including sport, in one streaming destination.
• Showmax Originals and more will be available to DStv Compact and DStv Premium satellite and streaming-only customers via the DStv Stream app.
• More movies and series will be added over the coming weeks.

“Showmax helped unlock a wave of world-class African storytelling,” says Nomsa Philiso, Director Content, General Entertainment English and Portuguese speaking territories at MultiChoice, a CANAL+ company. “Series like The Wife, Youngins, Devilsdorp , and Adulting, along with productions from Nigeria, Kenya and across the continent, were created through collaboration between MultiChoice’s content teams and local producers. That commitment to African storytelling does not change.”

The success of Showmax Originals has been built through partnerships with producers, writers and creative talent across Africa. Series such as Spinners, a co‑production between MultiChoice and CANAL+, which aired across Africa and in France, demonstrate how locally developed African stories are increasingly reaching global audiences. 

For South African customers, DStv Stream remains the platform where this content is available locally, alongside a much broader library of African and international content, live channels and sport.

“This move brings together Showmax Originals, on‑demand entertainment and live television in a single platform designed around how audiences want to watch and enjoy their content today,” says Willington Ngwepe, CEO of MultiChoice SA (Pty) Ltd, the broadcasting services licensee.

How to get Showmax on DStv

You (customers) can download the DStv Stream app or visit the DStv website, log in or sign up, and navigate to the Showmax section. Showmax Originals on DStv Stream are available on DStv Compact and DStv Premium packages. This includes satellite customers, who get access to DStv Stream as part of their package, as well as standalone DStv Stream customers. DStv Compact Stream is available from R299. 

Beyond its content library, DStv Stream includes a range of useful streaming features such as live and on‑demand viewing, pause and rewind, Watch From Start, offline downloads, recording, and the ability to adjust video quality to manage data usage.

Category	DStv Stream *Content and channels available varies per package.	Showmax (across plans)
Live TV channels	Yes	No
Live sport (incl. Premier League)	Yes – via SuperSport, Compact and above on all devices	Premier League and PSL only, on mobile plans only
Other live sport	Yes	No
MultiChoice Originals	Included	Included
Showmax Originals	Included	Included
International series & movies	Included	Included
All content in one place	Yes	Mainly Entertainment and some sport (split)
Single, simple platform	Yes	Multiple plans required
Devices supported	Mobile, Smart TV, laptop, Android TV, Apple TV, Hisense and more,	Showmax Entertainment: Mobile, Smart TV, laptop, Android TV, Apple TV and more. Showmax PL: Mobile only
Maximum resolution	HD (1080p)	HD (1080p)
Mobile‑only plans	No	Yes
Concurrent streams	Multiple (plan dependent)	Varies by plan (1–2 streams)
Downloads for offline viewing	Yes	Yes
Watch from start (live TV)	Yes	No
Catch‑up / replay	Available (not all content)	Not available
Reverse EPG	Yes (selected channels)	No
Kids profiles & parental controls	Profiles, PINs & age limits	Profiles & age limits
Split / shared bill payments	Yes (Split My Bill via MyDStv App)	No
Rewards & loyalty benefits	DStv Rewards (earn & redeem Coins, incl. bill payments)	No
Advertising model	Ad‑supported streaming	Ad‑free
Overall proposition	All‑in‑one live TV, sport, entertainment and value platform	Entertainment and sport accessed via separate plans

Offering fans a relaxed and revealing look at his life and growing career in the land of the rising sun, Jesse in Japan will run across ESPN Africa’s social and digital platforms throughout the year, with a premiere episode each month.

Life beyond the try line

Kriel has been part of the Yokohama Canon Eagles since 2020 and reached a historic milestone in November 2025 when he was appointed the team’s first foreign captain. Jesse in Japan steps away from matchday pressure to capture the quieter rhythms of his life, from training sessions with teammates and recovery routines to favourite local restaurants, neighbourhood errands and moments of downtime. In addition, expect glimpses into differences between Mzansi and Japan, prepping for the next match, gym routines, insights into this exciting league and more.

The series will offer an unfiltered glimpse into how the South African rugby player has adapted to daily life in a new culture, balancing elite performance with curiosity, discipline and the small comforts that make a place feel like home. Jesse’s status as an athlete and rugby professional has grown exponentially in recent years through his successes with the South African men’s national rugby team the Springboks, which he has recently captained, his successes in Japan and his dedicated approach to health and fitness.

“ESPN remains committed to offering viewers cross the continent an unparalleled offering of the very best of US and international sporting leagues,” says Kyle De Klerk, Director of Sports at The Walt Disney Company Africa. “We are delighted to be working with Jesse Kriel to bring Jesse in Japan to viewers, offering complementary programming that gives an insight into the life and career of not only this sporting legend but also the thrilling Japan Rugby League One as he, together with his teammates, create historic sporting moments.”

“I am excited to be collaborating with ESPN to offer rugby fans and viewers the opportunity to be a part of my exciting journey in Japan,” says Jesse Kriel. “The series is an invitation to celebrate the food, culture, people and of course rugby action that I have am lucky enough to be a part of in the Japan Rugby League One and beyond.”

JRLO Exclusive to ESPN Africa

The prestigious Japan Rugby League One features a number of South African sporting icons such as Faf De Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Kwagga Smith, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Malcolm Marx  and Pieter-Steph Du Toit.

As the Japan Rugby League One season unfolds, only on ESPN, the series will track Kriel’s journey as the competition builds towards the finals in June. Viewers can catch the action on ESPN (DStv 218, StarSat 248), on ESPN2 (DStv 219, StarSat 249), and on Disney+ in South Africa with two live games every week and repeat broadcasts to ensure that no big moment is missed.

Patriots and Seahawks ready for championship showdown

The Patriots and Seahawks, both with a rich history in the Super Bowl, will bring star talent and high stakes to the field. Fans can expect dynamic plays, tactical match-ups and high-stakes moments as quarterbacks, receivers and defensive standouts face off under the brightest lights in American sport. The game promises a contest of skill, strategy and determination as each team aims to leave its mark on NFL history.

Halftime show and ways to catch the action

The popular Super Bowl halftime show, which will air during the live broadcast, will feature Grammy-winning global superstar Bad Bunny, bringing Latin rhythms and high-energy performance to the biggest stage in American football.

Viewers who cannot catch the live broadcast will have multiple opportunities to see the game with repeat airings later in the day at 08:00 on ESPN 2, 11:00 on ESPN, and at 15:00 on ESPN2. A 55-minute highlight package will also air during the week for fans to relive the game’s defining moments.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Hisense booth at CES 2026, marking his first attendance at the event. He toured the exhibition with FIFA’s Chief Business Officer Romy Gai, viewing the Hisense Elite Collection for FIFA World Cup 2026, which is a customised lineup of televisions, laser projectors, and home appliances designed for football-related scenarios.

Elite Collection for tournament operations

The Elite Collection includes RGB MiniLED TVs that will be integrated into tournament operations across multiple areas. The displays are designed to provide enhanced clarity and performance for officiating workflows, enabling clearer visualisation of fast-moving actions and fine details during matches.

The technology reflects Hisense’s three consecutive FIFA World Cup partnerships, each featuring technological advancements from large-screen viewing to professional-grade visual solutions for elite match operations.

What Is Real QLED?

Samsung’s Real QLED has earned official certification from the globally respected German testing body TÜV Rheinland. This mark verifies that Samsung QLED TVs comply with the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) 62595-1-6 standard, which defines the application of quantum dot (QD) light converting unit combined with blue light sources for standard QLED displays.

In simple terms, the Real QLED mark confirms that your TV delivers superior picture quality, powered by genuine Quantum Dot technology. When it comes to visual brilliance, Samsung’s Quantum Dot technology is leading the charge in delivering a picture-perfect viewing experience.

Why It Matters: The Samsung Difference

Here’s what the Real QLED certification guarantees:

• True Quantum Dot Display: A real quantum dot light-converting film combined with blue light sources ensures richer, more accurate colours than ungenuine “QLEDs.”
• 100% Colour Volume*: Samsung QLED TVs produce a multitude of shades, delivering vivid and consistent colours at any brightness level. Whether you’re watching a summer cricket match in broad daylight or a late-night blockbuster, the picture remains stunningly real.
• Colour Accuracy: TÜV Rheinland testing confirms the separation of red, green, and blue light sources — the foundation of lifelike, vibrant images.
• Environmentally Responsible Technology: Samsung’s Real QLED is cadmium-free** and built with sustainability in mind, aligning with global eco-conscious standards. More than sustainability, it’s also about safety for humans. Cadmium is a hazardous chemical, and that is why it has been removed from the manufacturing process.

*Samsung achieved the Digital Cinema Initiative’s colour standard DCI-P3 and achieved 100% colour volume for the first time in the world — thereby presenting unparalleled colour expression.

**Samsung’s quantum dot technology has been recognised by global testing organization Société Générale de Surveillance (SGS) for its excellence in cadmium-free design — an environmentally conscious approach that eliminates the use of cadmium, a toxic heavy metal known to pose risks to human health and the environment.

Ask the Right Questions Before You Buy

When shopping for a TV this Black Friday, don’t just be swayed by a label. Ask the real questions:

• Is it cadmium-free?
• Does it deliver 100% colour volume?
• Has it earned Real QLED certification or any recognition for environmental responsibility?

If the answer is “no,” then it’s not a Real QLED.

Built for Now, and for the Future

A Samsung Real QLED TV isn’t just an investment in a screen; it’s an investment in true-to-life colour, unmatched brightness and lasting quality. Whether it’s family movie nights, high-action sports weekends or gaming marathons, Samsung’s QLED TVs deliver the kind of performance that brings every moment to life. The 2025 TV line-up is even better, it features Samsung’s most advanced TV technologies yet – including QLED and OLED panels powered by Vision AI.

This Black Friday, when you see the QLED label, don’t settle for less. Look for the Real QLED mark and enjoy a Real experience.

This new agreement complements The Walt Disney Company’s recent media rights agreement to bring the UEFA Women’s Champions League to Disney+ across Europe, positioning ESPN on Disney+ as the primary destination for fans in these key territories. 

“The UEFA Women’s Champions League is one of the most prestigious competitions in sport, with unmatched global reach,” said Tim Bunnell, Senior Vice President, Programming Acquisitions, ESPN. “This agreement represents another key milestone in our ongoing effort to deliver the most compelling sporting events to fans everywhere. As we expand ESPN’s portfolio of women’s sports, we remain committed to elevating world-class women’s football for global audiences.”

Added Guy-Laurent Epstein, UC3 Co-Managing Director, “We are proud to extend our collaboration with ESPN, a key broadcast partner that shares our ambition to grow the UEFA Women’s Champions League globally. This agreement will bring the competition to millions of fans across key international markets, reinforcing our commitment to expanding the global reach and impact of women’s football.”

The agreement underscores ESPN’s continued commitment to women’s sports, adding the UEFA Women’s Champions League to an unprecedented portfolio of women’s sports available on ESPN – The Walt Disney Company sports brand – globally. This growing lineup includes UEFA Women’s EURO 2025, WNBA, NWSL, Women’s Super League, Liga MX Femenil, Women’s Basketball Championships, Women’s College World Series, Women’s Volleyball, Women’s College Gymnastics Championship, and more. Through strategic rights acquisitions and programming over 45 years, ESPN has been a driving force connecting fans to women’s sports.

The UEFA Women’s Champions League will debut a new 18-team league phase format in the 2025-26 season. Following the official draw on September 19, the league phase kicks off Tuesday, October 7, featuring six matchdays through mid-December. Knockout rounds begin in February 2026, with the season concluding at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo, Norway, in May.

The announcement follows the recent news that Bravo Africa will launch on 7 October, bringing DStv subscribers even more of the most iconic and talked-about unscripted programming they love.

Following Dating #NoFilter South Africa’s successful debut season in 2024, Season 2 raises the stakes with fresh faces, fresh flings, and even more wild twists. Whether it’s a date gone brilliantly right – or spectacularly wrong – the roster of quick-witted comedians is here to make sure nothing goes unnoticed.

The series brings together a cast of 16 commentators, led by comedian, TV personality and actor Jason Goliath (E!’s Celebrity Game Night, Ses’ Top La). Joining Goliath are: Robby Collins (comedian), Kim Jayde (TV host and model), Hope Mbhele (actress and radio personality), Bontle Modiselle Moloi (actress and media personality), Nadia Nakai (rapper and TV personality), Rosette Ncwana (model and media personality), Okay Wasabi (YouTuber and comedian), PD Jokes (comedian and content creator), Jo-Anne Reyneke (actress), Sphokuhle N (content creator), Skyf Your Loss (content creator), Tums The Narrator (content creator and comedian), ZilleWizzy (content creator), Carpo More (content creator, TV host and entertainer), and Anele Zondo (actress and presenter).

Returning to Johannesburg and heading to Cape Town for the first time, the second season brings even more hilarious, unapologetically candid reality as comedians deliver real-time commentary while bold singles dive headfirst into blind dates. From romantic mishaps to off-the-wall icebreakers, expect cringeworthy chemistry and unexpected sparks that keep the laughs coming and the drama alive.

Produced by Brainstorm Entertainment Media for NBCUniversal International Networks & DTC, Dating #NoFilter South Africa is a local adaptation of the successful format. The series originally aired on E! in the US, with the African version marking the fourth international adaptation. Dating #NoFilter is distributed globally by NBCUniversal Formats, which is part of Universal Studio Group.

Dating #NoFilter South Africa Season 2 is set to premiere exclusively on Bravo Africa (DStv channel number 124, and on DStv Access) on 11 October, airing Saturdays at 18:00.

On ESPN, a world of sport awaits Disney+ customers with the National Rugby League in Australia (Aussie Rules) and Japan’s Rugby League, plus top European football action including the Scottish Professional Football League, English Football League, Dutch Eredivisie, German Football Association Cup and Turkey’s SüperLig, along with the Saudi Pro League.

ESPN 2 brings the biggest American sports, showcasing the NBA (National Basketball Association), NFL (National Football League), MLB (Major League Baseball) and NHL (National Hockey League), along with women’s and college competitions such as the NWSL (National Women’s Soccer League), NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) and ESPN College Football. 

Both ESPN channels also broadcast studio shows capturing the latest news and analysis from across American sport and football including “ESPN FC”, “First Take”, “The Pat McAfee” Show” and “SportsCenter”. Critically acclaimed and celebrated documentaries and original programming are also available, including ESPN’s award-winning library of 30 for 30 films.  

Says Diego Londono, Senior Vice President & General Manager, Networks & Sports, The Walt Disney Company EMEA: “At Disney, we are committed to delivering world-class sports and entertainment to customers across the region. The launch of the ESPN Africa linear channels on Disney+ in South Africa reflects our strategy to reach sports fans across multiple platforms and connect with new audiences, bringing iconic sporting moments together with the expansive and much-loved entertainment already available.” 

Adds Kyle de Klerk, Director: Sports for The Walt Disney Company Africa: “ESPN’s unparalleled content offering will provide Disney+ customers with access to the greatest historic and live sports programming from some of the most iconic leagues and events in the world. Fans will be able to enjoy thrilling action right away as the European Football season and the NFL (National Football League), have just launched, with existing milestones to look forward to in 2025 including the start of the NBA (National Basketball Association), NHL (National Hockey League) as well as NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) football and basketball leagues.”   

In addition to Disney+ in South Africa, ESPN is available on MultiChoice’s DStv and StarTimes across Africa.   

Four-time Oscar nominee Mark Ruffalo plays Tom, a former priest turned FBI agent. He’s heading up a task force trying to put an end to a string of violent robberies. Emmy nominee Tom Pelphrey (Ozark) co-stars as Robbie, a garbage collector who is stealing drug money from a local motorcycle gang. 

The stacked cast includes South African star Thuso Mbedu, BAFTA nominee Emilia Jones (CODA), Jamie McShane (Wednesday, 1923), Alison Oliver (Saltburn) and Fabien Frankel (Ser Criston Cole in House of the Dragon).  

Creator Brad Ingelsby set Task in the same working-class Philadelphia suburbs as his four-time Emmy winner predecessor, Mare of Easttown. This is home for him: Brad lives in Chester County, while he and his parents grew up in Delaware County, where his extended family still resides, including his four siblings. 

“I like writing characters and stories set in this region of Pennsylvania,” says Brad. “I wasn’t scared to return to a place I’ve come to know so well because it’s the blood in my veins, and I knew there was more material to mine.”

For help in bringing authenticity to the character, Brad turned to Scott A Duffey, a former seminarian turned FBI agent who is a veteran of several violent crime task forces in suburban Philadelphia.

“The sense of duty and family I observed growing up in Delaware County has become a subject I’m very passionate about,” says Ingelsby. “I’m attracted to stories about working-class people that get up every day and maybe aren’t living the lives they dreamed about or aren’t working the jobs they wanted. But they clock in and out of their shift and provide for their families in ways I’ve always found to be heroic.”

“Brad is a master at telling real stories and Task brings humanity even to the people who are supposed to be criminals,” says two-time Emmy nominee Salli Richardson-Whitfield (The Gilded Age, Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakes Dynasty). She directed three episodes, including the pivotal sixth episode, with its 17-minute chase sequence through the woods. “You come to care about both groups of people: the side of law enforcement and the sides that are breaking the law.”

New episodes of Task drop on Showmax every Monday, express from the US. 

The promotion is said to be part of their Get More campaign, aimed at providing subscribers with more value and entertainment.

For instance, DStv Compact customer can upgrade to Premium, while those on DStv Access can upgrade to Compact – all for only R100.

DStv customers who upsize will gain full access to the entire upgraded package experience, including all the live channels, the DStv app including the full on-demand Catch Up library, and a much wider selection of content, including blockbuster movies, top-tier local and international series, live sport on SuperSport, kids’ programming, and lifestyle channels.

On the international front, catch the thrilling conclusion of Cobra Kai on February 13 and dive into the drama of Love Is Blind: Season 8 also launching on February 14. Be sure to also not miss the glamorous 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards hosted by Kristen Bell on February 24.

All this and a whole lot more are coming your way this February! Here are the links to download the Full list of content and Imagery. 

Local Content

Umjolo: There is No Cure – Netflix Series – 14 February

After losing her title for publicly exposing a scandal, a former pageant queen works on a tell-all book — all while her love life remains unwritten.

International Content

Cobra Kai: Season 6: Part 3 – Netflix Series – 13 February

Granted one final chance to finish the Sekai Taikai, Daniel, Johnny and the team lay it all on the line in the ultimate championship showdown.

Love Is Blind: Season 8 – Netflix Series – 14 February

A new group of singles face the ultimate dating experiment. Will they find their soulmates and get married, or will looks get in the way of love?

The 31st Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards – Netflix Live Event – 24 February

Kristen Bell hosts as the biggest names in film and TV light up the stage for the 31st annual Screen Actors Guild Awards. (Live event in English.)

Non-Branded Titles

• Fifty Shades of Grey – 2/1/2025
• Fifty Shades Darker – 2/1/2025
• Fifty Shades Freed – 2/1/2025
• Gladiator – 2/16/2025

The month of Feb is stacked, check out the full line-up here and plan your viewing schedule accordingly.

You can also ring in the new year with Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl (also debuting on January 3rd) an animated adventure where Gromit must save Wallace from a rogue invention. More drama unfolds in Dubai’s most lavish friendship circle in Dubai Bling: Season 3, launching on January 8th. Lastly, XO, Kitty: Season 2 premieres on January 16th, as Kitty returns to Seoul for a fresh start, but drama and romance ensue.

Local Content

Umjolo: My Beginning, My End! – Netflix Film – 3 Jan

Caught between her family and her free spirit, Mayi begins to question her upcoming nuptials when she meets a charming and passionate saxophonist.

International Content

Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl- Netflix Kids and Family – 3 Jan

Top dog Gromit springs into action to save his master when Wallace’s high-tech invention goes rogue and he’s framed for a series of suspicious crimes.

Dubai Bling: Season 3 – Netflix Series – 8 Jan

With friends like these, who needs enemies? Dubai’s most dysfunctional and lavish friendship circle is back as the drama unfolds in the latest season.

XO, Kitty: Season 2 – Netflix Series – 16 Jan

Kitty returns to Seoul ready for a fresh start, but her plan for a drama-free semester fizzles fast amid new faces, messy crushes and family secrets.

Non-Branded Titles

Ma – 1/1/2025

A woman agrees to buy booze for a group of teens and offers them her basement to party in. But her hospitality soon turns into obsession — and terror.

Escape Room – 1/1/2025

Six strangers use their wits to survive a series of deadly mystery rooms that cater to their worst fears — or die trying.

Tears of the Sun- 1/1/2025

When a coup plunges Nigeria into bloodshed, a Navy SEAL must rescue a doctor working in the jungle — and all the people in her care.

Check out the entire line-up here and start properly planning your viewing schedule to kick off your 2025 on an oh so cool note.