We are seeing the shift to purely online content slowly take off locally. More Kenyans now watch content online, and there are already a number of us who live purely online – streaming everything we watch. The problem is this: getting local channels online isn’t easy. On YouTube, a couple of local channels already stream live. But one isn’t assured you can always find them up. They mostly go live during events and news and stay off through most parts of the day. Well, that’s changing from today with Showmax introducing the top 5 popular channels in Kenya to their streaming service.

The channels include:

KBC Channel 1
KTN HOME
KTN News
NTV and
K24

These will be live on Showmax 24 hours a day. And they will be available to both normal Showmax and Showmax Pro subscribers – regardless of device. So if you have a mobile plan, use the web, or have the Showmax App on your TV you will still access the channels.

The launch of the live channels follows the launch of Showmax Pro in July, which added live sport from SuperSport, news and music channels to the existing entertainment catalogue.

Speaking about the development, Yolisa Phahle, CEO of Connected Video at MultiChoice, said: “We’re constantly working on new ways to improve the Showmax experience for our subscribers. Whether it’s M-Pesa payments or daily episodes of Maisha Magic favourites like Selina, Kina and Kovu as well as weekly episodes of Sol Family and Hullabaloo Estate, our local-first approach keeps our Kenyan subscribers top of mind.”

“With the addition of these live channels, Showmax offers Kenyans a one-stop streaming destination featuring the best of international and Kenyan shows, movies and kids’ shows, the world’s best sport from SuperSport on our Pro plan and now, live streams of Kenya’s biggest channels.”