MultiChoice says Showmax subscribers in South Africa will get free trial access to DStv Stream Compact from 1 April 2026 as the standalone Showmax service heads for shutdown on 30 April 2026. The trial will run until the end of May.

The company says qualifying users can then keep DStv Stream Compact for R99 a month, which is the same price many paid for Showmax. MultiChoice says that promotional price will last for 12 months as long as the account stays in good standing. The broadcaster says that is a 75% discount on the regular R399 monthly price.

Who Qualifies for the Deal

The offer applies to Showmax subscribers who do not already have an active DStv subscription and to people who subscribed directly to the streaming service. MultiChoice says the goal is to bring Showmax Originals, live TV, international sport and a broader entertainment library into one app.

CEO Willington Ngwepe says the company wants to make sure viewers still have access to the stories they love. He says the shift will pull thousands of hours of Showmax Originals and a deeper on-demand library into DStv Stream.

Existing DStv Customers Excluded From Trial

Not everyone will get the free trial. MultiChoice says existing DStv customers who already receive Showmax as part of their package, or who add it to their DStv bill, are excluded from this specific offer.

Still, there is a boost for current DStv Compact, Compact Plus and Premium users. The broadcaster says those customers will be able to access Showmax content on DStv Stream at no extra cost.

Users Must Sign Up Again

MultiChoice says the trial includes all Showmax plans, including the Showmax Premier League mobile plan, but subscriptions will not migrate automatically. Customers who want to continue watching must follow a sign-up process sent by email and create a new profile.

The company says users who do not want to move to DStv Stream can request a refund for any unused part of their Showmax subscription, subject to standard terms. It also says automatic Showmax payments will stop once the service closes. New subscribers were no longer accepted from 31 March 2026.