NBCUniversal is planning to lay off dozens of employees as the African streamer Showmax shuts down

"Canal+ called the money-losing Showmax an "expensive failure" in its fourth-quarter earnings report on Wednesday. The French company owns 70% of Showmax after acquiring South African TV provider MultiChoice. Comcast holds the remaining 30% stake in all but one of the 44 African countries where Showmax operates."

"The layoffs affect employees who worked on the streamer Showmax, two people familiar with the cuts told Business Insider. A streaming employee briefed on Wednesday on the cuts said about a dozen US staffers on the global streaming product team were impacted, and that dozens of others could be affected internationally."

"Comcast co-CEO Mike Cavanagh said in early March that the flagship streamer isn't planning to expand internationally, telling investors that "domestic is our path.""

NBCUniversal is conducting layoffs affecting dozens of employees following the shutdown of Showmax, an African streaming service jointly operated with French broadcaster Canal+. Canal+ owns 70% of the venture and called it an expensive failure in its earnings report. About a dozen US-based global streaming product team members were impacted, with dozens more potentially affected internationally through a consultation process. Showmax, which operated in 44 African countries, ran on the same technology platform as Peacock and SkyShowtime. The shutdown reflects Comcast's strategic decision to focus Peacock domestically rather than pursue international expansion.

Read at Business Insider