On Showmax’s streaming service for the year that ended in 2022, Kenyan movies outperformed Nigerian media. Seven out of ten movies watched on Showmax’s platform, with one from Nigeria and two from abroad, were Kenyan productions, according to an analysis done by the company.
On January 18, 2023, Showmax released a statement stating that “the numbers continue to prove that Kenyan viewers are interested in watching high quality local content now more than ever, and Showmax continues to invest in the Kenyan film and TV industry, building an extensive catalogue of genre-diverse and audience-favorite TV shows and movies.”
Top Kenyan movies on Showmax in 2022 were Igiza, starring Blessing Lung’aho, Kyallo Kulture, starring the Kyallo sisters, and Crime and Justice, starring Sarah Hassan. The top ten shows that Kenyans viewed the most on Showmax in 2022 are listed below:
Baba Twins – A coming-of-age comedy drama and Showmax’s first Original film in Kenya.
County 49 – A political thriller series set in the fictional Bwatele County, Kenya’s 49th county.
Crime and Justice S2 – A police procedural and legal drama that follows ripped-from-the-headlines investigations by an elite police team.
House of the Dragon – HBO’s smash hit prequel to Game of Thrones that traces the war for succession within House Targaryen.
Igiza – A thriller series set in the wash wash world and the fashion industry in Nairobi
Kyallo Kulture – A reality series that dives into the personal lives of Betty Kyallo and her two sisters.
Njoro wa Uba – A comedy-drama series that follows the daily escapades of taxi driver Njoro.
Single Kiasi S1 – A drama series that follows the ups and downs of dating in Nairobi.
The Real Housewives of Lagos – The first Nigerian edition of the hit international franchise.
Wrath of Man – Starring Jason Statham, this Guy Ritchie movie was up for Best Action Movie at the 2022 Critics Choice Super Awards.
Before the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Showmax observed an increase in the number of subscribers to its streaming services on Showmax and Showmax Pro of 111%. One of the local series produced by the company broke streaming records, and the organization attributes its success to welcoming new production companies and actors.
The political thriller series County 49, which was directed by Likarion Wainaina, overtook The Real Housewives of Lagos as the most-watched Showmax premiere ever in Kenya on August 25 when it made its debut.
