Wednesday night saw a dazzling celebration at Sankara Hotel, Nairobi, where Showmax, the African streaming giant, honored its luminaries and their captivating narratives. Among the illustrious attendees were Emma Gichonge, Showmax GM in East Africa, Nzola Miranda, MultiChoice Kenya MD, along with eminent industry figures, celebrities, and the focal point of the evening: the casts of The Real Housewives of Nairobi S2, Big Girl Small World, and Untying Kantai, as well as the producers of Nilichoma.
These productions mark the dawn of a new era for Showmax in Kenya, as it launches the ambitious Streaming for Africa initiative, a testament to the strategic partnership between MultiChoice and Comcast announced last year, heralding the birth of the new Showmax.
The highly anticipated second season of The Real Housewives of Nairobi, premiering on Friday, 10 May, introduces three new Housewives – Zena Nyambu, Farah Ismail, and Reja Keji Ladu – joining Season 1’s esteemed cast including Minne Kariuki, Vera Sidika, and Dr. Catherine Masitsa.
Big Girl Small World, which debuted on May 8, follows the journey of June Njenga, a plus-size woman navigating a world determined to diminish her presence.
Untying Kantai, produced by Philit Productions, premiered on May 9, unveiling the story of a man entangled in a lucrative yet perilous venture, plunging into a realm of danger and deception.
Adding to the excitement, Showmax will unveil its inaugural Original docuseries in Kenya, Nilichoma, on May 28.
In her address, Showmax GM Gichonge emphasized the platform’s commitment to African content, with over 1,300 hours of Showmax Originals slated for production this year, reflecting a remarkable 150% increase from previous years.
Reflecting on the May releases, Gichonge expressed pride in showcasing the prowess and talent of Kenya’s film and TV community, many of whom were present at the event. Nzola Miranda, MultiChoice Kenya MD, declared the evening as a pivotal moment in revolutionizing Streaming for Africa, amplifying the transformative power of content to shape African entertainment experiences.