Mo Abudu, the Nigerian filmmaker, has reacted to Multichoice’s plan to discontinue its streaming platform Showmax.
On Thursday, Canal+ Group, the French media company that recently took over MultiChoice, said the decision followed a “comprehensive review” by its board and is aimed at strengthening its overall digital offering.
Reacting via Instagram, Abudu said the shutdown highlights the need for local creatives to focus on building and sustaining their own distribution platforms to support the growth of indigenous films, noting that “no one is coming to save us”.
The media mogul added that although building a successful local streaming service will require time, patience, and sustained effort, her platform, EbonyLife ON Plus, remains committed to creating that solution.
“No one is coming to save us. It is time for us to build our own I know many of you have heard the news about platforms like Showmax closing and have seen other streamers reduce their investment across the continent,” she wrote.
“Let me say this with complete sincerity. No one is coming to save us. It is up to us to build sustainable business models that truly work for our market. It is still very early days for the new indigenous Nigerian streaming platforms that have launched recently.
“At EbonyLifeONPlus, we are committed to doing everything we can to grow and strengthen our platform. We understand that it is a long journey and we are prepared for the work and patience it requires.”
Abudu disclosed that Africa has rich culture and powerful stories that can succeed globally if creatives learn from successful models and develop systems that work for their own market.
She added that the situation presents an opportunity for Africans to collaborate, believe in their potential, and build platforms that can serve local audiences and also reach global markets.
“We are a continent rich in culture, tradition, and powerful stories. We must learn from global success stories, adapt what works, and create our own pathways because that is exactly what others have done,” she added.
“I truly believe we are capable of this. The future is in our hands. Let us build it with confidence, collaboration, and belief. Personally, I see this as an opportunity rather than a challenge Local for Local, Local for Global.”
