All You Need to Know About the Online Streaming Service, Showmax

Showmax expanded its internet TV services to 36 countries (Uganda Inclusive) across sub-Saharan Africa in 2016 a year after the company formally launched. The online video entertainment service offers two plans: Showmax Standard Plan and a Showmax Pro Plan — offering unlimited series, movies, showmax originals, kids’ shows, live sport (from SuperSport), news, and more.

These can be streamed or downloaded and watched on a wide range of devices; smartphones, tablets, laptop/PCs, smart TVs, gaming consoles, media boxes, and DStv Explora (depending on your plan). Notably, live streaming services may not be supported on certain devices such as older gaming consoles or smart TVs.

This is an Internet-Based service —in layman’s term, you need an internet connection to use the service. You need reliable internet with at least a minimum speed of 5 to 10Mbps. You can use Wi-Fi/data, it’s up to you. You can however, control how much data you use by choosing from 3 streaming qualities. To manage this, simply go to Bandwidth Capping in your Showmax app Settings. You can also save data by downloading shows to watch offline on your mobile/tablet but downloading using Wi-Fi is the best option as it saves you some costs.

To watch the downloaded shows or movies offline you need a Showmax app which is available for Android and Apple phones, tablets, smart TVs, media boxes, Xbox One and PS4. Go to the app store on your device, search ‘Showmax’, select and download.

Once you have your preferred device for the service and an internet connection enabled, you still to pay to for the service; so you’re in position to stream or download. Showmax offers a variety of plans to suit different preferences and pockets;

Showmax Standard Plan (General Entertainment): For USD$7.99 (roughly UGX30,000) you can register up to 5 devices and watch on 2 devices at the same time. While using your mobile, the pay is USD$3.99 (roughly UGX15,000) and supports watch on one mobile at a time.

Showmax Pro Plan: For USD$17.99 (roughly UGX68,000) you can register up to 5 devices and watch on 2 devices at the same time. While using your mobile, the pay is USD$8.99 (roughly UGX34,000) and supports watch on one mobile at a time.

While with the standard plan you’re given a 14-days free trial, after which you’ll be charged a monthly subscription fee, for the pro plan, it doesn’t include a 14-day free trial due to sports licensing.

To pay for the service, there are many safe and secure ways to pay, debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, and the recent added mobile money (for Ugandans). You can cancel your subscription at anytime.

Mobile money payment plan:

To start watching, sign up at www.showmax.com and follow the prompts. Once you’re a subscriber, if you have the Showmax app, login on your device and hit play.

Users can personalize their accounts by editing their profiles, which can be done through signing onto the website.

• Selecting the account on the top menu bar under your user name, the page will default to overview where you will see all the options related to the account.
• Select account details on the left-hand navigation menu and make the necessary changes including the name, location, contact details and password.
• Then Save changes.