Marc Jury, CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, has announced his resignation effective March 31, 2025, ending a decade-long tenure at the helm of the company and its streaming platform, Showmax. In a memo, MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela confirmed Jury’s departure, noting his plans to pursue a career in the sports business, a long-time passion.
“While we are sad to see Marc leave, we are immensely proud of his achievements and grateful for his contributions to the business,” Mawela stated. He added that Jury will collaborate with the team over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition. Byron du Plessis, currently MultiChoice’s Deputy Chief Financial Officer, will assume the CEO role starting December 1, 2024.
Du Plessis, a 13-year veteran at MultiChoice, brings extensive experience in operational and strategic leadership. Mawela expressed confidence in Du Plessis’s ability to guide the South African business through challenging times, particularly as the company grapples with a drop in profits and the loss of 800,000 subscribers over the past six months.
“Byron’s deep understanding of our business, combined with his strong leadership, positions him well to enhance execution and drive growth,” Mawela remarked.
Under Jury’s leadership, MultiChoice achieved several milestones like securing regulatory approvals, forming strategic partnerships, successfully launching the SA20 cricket league, producing the Netball World Cup with an all-female crew, overseeing the Lions rugby tour, expanding DStv Stream and introducing Showmax 2.0.
Reflecting on his time at MultiChoice, Jury said, “After nearly 10 incredible years, I’ve decided to pursue opportunities in the business of sport, a field close to my heart. I’m immensely proud of what we’ve accomplished together.”
MultiChoice faces significant hurdles, including financial pressures and market shifts. The company recently announced plans to sell its insurance business to Sanlam to raise equity and is navigating a proposed R30 billion takeover bid by French media conglomerate Canal+.
Jury’s departure comes at a pivotal moment for MultiChoice, as it works to stabilize its South African operations and chart a path forward. With Du Plessis at the helm, the company is positioning itself to tackle these challenges while maintaining its commitment to innovation and growth.
As MultiChoice enters this new chapter, its leadership transition underscores the importance of strategic planning during a transformative period in the company’s history.