With hits like Kenya’s The Real Housewives of Nairobi, South Africa’s Adulting, Nigeria’s Wura and Ghana’s The Billionaire’s Wife, 2023 was a big year for Showmax in Africa. In Kenya alone, the African streamer launched a record seven Original titles in 2023, kicking off with Single Kiasi S2 in January, The Real Housewives of Nairobi S1 in February, reality series Kyallo Kulture S2 in May, the crime drama Faithless S1 in June, the telenovela Second Family S1 and S2 in March and September respectively, the animated series Twende and second-ever Kenyan Christmas feature A Merry X-Mess in December.
2023 viewing statistics released by Showmax proved once again that local is king, and that local content can co-exist alongside international hits like 2024 Golden Globe’s Best TV Drama winner Succession, and The Last of Us, which are also the two most-nominated shows overall at the Emmys next week.
Please see below a full list of the top 10 most-watched titles on Showmax in 2023.
More key milestones from Showmax in 2023
- Showmax announces partnership with international media heavyweight Comcast to relaunch Showmax
In March 2023, MultiChoice Group (MultiChoice) (JSE: MCG) and Comcast’s (NASDAQ: CMCSA) NBCUniversal and Sky announced a new partnership that will bring some of the world’s best content and technology to streaming customers across MultiChoice’s 44-market footprint in sub-Saharan Africa. Powered by Peacock’s leading, globally scaled technology, the new platform, which will launch in February 2024, will build on Showmax’s success to date and aim to create the leading streaming service in Africa with an extensive premium content portfolio that combines the best of local and international programming, as well as the continent’s first standalone live Premier League mobile streaming plan.
In February alone, the new Showmax will launch a record 21 Originals from four African countries, including international hits like Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, and Halo S2.
- Showmax launches The Real Housewives of Nairobi, which breaks streaming records in Kenya
In February 2023, Showmax launched The Real Housewives of Nairobi S1, which is now the biggest Showmax Original in Kenya yet. Apart from claiming the top spot on Showmax’s Top 10 most-watched the moment it launched; The Real Housewives of Nairobi also broke streaming records, making its first episode the most-watched launch episode ever for any title on Showmax in Kenya.
- Kenya earns its highest nod yet at 2023 AMVCAs as Kenyan Showmax Originals lead nominations
Kenya earned a record 17 nominations at the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) – the highest yet for the country at the prestigious film and TV awards.
This coveted list included a first-time four nominations for Kenyan Showmax Originals Single Kiasi and County 49 for Best TV Series, James Webbo (County 49) for Best Supporting Actor and Baba Twins for Best Movie East Africa; three for Maisha Magic titles Njoro wa Uba and Salem, also available on Showmax; and two Multichoice Talent Factory Films on Showmax, Cheza and Stinger.
- Showmax launches first Original telenovela in Kenya
Launched in March 2023, Second Family is the first Showmax Original telenovela in Kenya. The first season introduced us to the power struggles, boardroom politics, family strife and all the chaos that erupt after the untimely death of millionaire Leo Lang’at (Ian Mbugua). The second season, which premiered in September, upped the ante with the surprising return of Leo from “the dead”.
- Showmax launches first Original 2D animation
In December 2023, Showmax launched Twende, its first Original 2D animation series, which
kicked off with rave reviews from critics. Twende follows a boda-boda-riding pangolin of the same name, with Junior Nyong’o voicing the titular character. The all-Kenyan cast also includes Kalasha Awards nominee Elsaphan Njora (Super Sema, Kati Kati), Charles Ouda (Crime and Justice), Mkamzee Mwatela (Mali), Kalasha winner Nyokabi Macharia (Super Sema), Joyce Musoke (Second Family) and Khaemba W Edward (Ogas at the Top, The XYZ Show).
