The CEO of Showmax, an African streaming service co-owned by MultiChoice Group and Comcast, has stepped down from her position. Yolisa Phahle, who had previously expressed her desire to “change the game for Africa,” has left the company, with Marc Jury, the CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, taking over as interim CEO of Showmax. While Phahle’s departure marks the end of an era, the company is actively searching for a permanent CEO to lead the streaming service.
Showmax, which was launched in South Africa eight years ago, has since expanded its reach to 44 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Additionally, it offers a diaspora service in over 30 international markets worldwide. Earlier this year, Showmax struck a partnership with NBCUniversal and Sky, which will bring top-quality content and technology to streaming customers across sub-Saharan Africa. The new Showmax group is majority-owned by MultiChoice (70%) and minority-owned by NBCUniversal (30%).
As part of Showmax’s growth strategy, a relaunch is planned before the end of the company’s current fiscal year in March 2024. The aim is to enhance the streaming service’s offerings and further solidify its position in the African market. MultiChoice CEO Calvo Mawela stated in a staff memo that Marc Jury would be responsible for running Showmax and the South African operations while the search for a new CEO continues.
Mawela announced Phahle’s departure in an internal memo obtained by The Hollywood Reporter. He expressed mixed emotions about the end of her era, acknowledging her solid career and nearly two decades with the company. However, discussions had been underway regarding Phahle entering the retirement phase of her career, which led to the decision for her to transition out of the CEO role. To ensure a smooth handover, Phahle will provide full-time advisory support to Jury for a period of six months before consulting the group for an additional 12 months starting in March 2024.
During her time as CEO, Phahle played a significant role in Showmax’s growth and success. She will be remembered for her contributions to the company and her commitment to bringing high-quality African content to audiences across the continent. Phahle’s departure signifies a time of change and transition for Showmax, but the company remains optimistic about the future.
The search for a new CEO is now underway, with the company looking for a leader who can build on Showmax’s success and drive its growth in an evolving streaming landscape. The African market is approaching an inflection point in terms of broadband connectivity and affordability, making it an excellent opportunity for Showmax to expand its reach and bring its streaming service to even more households.
As the streaming industry continues to grow in Africa and around the world, Showmax is well-positioned to capitalize on this trend. With the support of MultiChoice, Comcast, NBCUniversal, and Sky, Showmax has the resources and partnerships to offer a wide range of high-quality content to its customers. The streaming service aims to provide a diverse library of African and international content, catering to the diverse tastes and interests of its viewers.
In conclusion, the departure of Yolisa Phahle as CEO of Showmax marks the end of an era for the African streaming service. Marc Jury will serve as interim CEO while the company searches for a permanent replacement. Showmax’s expansion in the African market and its partnerships with NBCUniversal and Sky position the streaming service for continued growth and success. The relaunch planned before March 2024 aims to enhance Showmax’s offerings and solidify its position as a leading streaming service in Africa. The company remains committed to delivering high-quality content to its customers across the continent.