Showmax is making local content its key focus as it seeks to increase its subscription

Showmax is indeed in the battle to become the preferred video content streaming service by a majority of Kenyans.  After successfully launching its services in the country late last year, the company has now set its eyes in offering more local content for its Kenyan audience.

Recently, the company held a meetup with a few bloggers and we had a little chat about the future of Showmax in the country with company’s Africa CEO, Chris Savides. Chris Savides revealed how the company sees a strong future with original local content. He said local content is its key focus and working with a number of production houses to take advantage of the market demand.

The appetite for local content is growing fast among young Kenyans who are mainly interested in the creative and art industries. This shift to local content according to him is meant to increase Showmax subscription while at the same time improve its user experiences.

Chris also expressed his satisfaction at the reception the company has received after being launched in Kenya. ‘’We have seen a significant growth since we first came in Kenya’’ he said adding that they have learned so much from subscribers in terms of the type of content they offer. This has made them position themselves well in they market as they continue to improve their services.

Internet speed and connectivity are significant hurdles for any internet-based service in Kenya despite the country having the best penetration in Africa. And getting it right according to Chris, means they have to do much more than just flick a switch. He attributed the successes of the Showmax to the local team who have been able to improve user experiences.

Showmax offers two products, select and premium. The select product exclusively carries Kenyan content. Chris says the key success for Showmax is ensuring consumers have the right mix of both local and international content.

Chris further says that that the potential for Showmax for the Kenyan market is huge and that’s why they are not simply cutting and pasting an existing model from elsewhere. Instead, he says they have built a product and content selection designed specifically for Kenya and Africa.