… As FG summons Multichoice over 20% price hike, threatens sanction
By Dickson Pat
Multichoice Nigeria, the parent company of satellite television, DSTV and GOtv may face an impending boycott of their services by its Nigerian subscribers after a shocking review of their tariff plans by over 20%.
In a surprise notification to customers, DSTV announced an upward review of their plans effective March 1, 2025.
It is uncertain whether DSTV received regulatory approval to proceed with the upward review which is the second in the last 10 months. The company reviewed its prices in April last year.
In the fresh development, Multichoice told subscribers that its premium DSTV package has been reviewed to N44,500 from N37,000 and Compact Plus reviewed to N30,000 from N25,000.
DSTV Confam plan was raised from N9300 to N11,000; Yanga and Padi reviewed to N6,000 from N5200, and to N4,000 from N3,600, respectively.
Similarly, the price for GOtv Supa Plus was raised to N16,800 from N15,700; the Supa package reviewed to N11,400 from N9,600; the Max plan was reviewed from N7,200 to N8,500, the Jolli plan was reviewed to N5,800 while Jinja and Smallie were reviewed to N3,900 and N1,900 respectively.
Although Multichoice admitted that consumers were also battling economic challenges, it said it arrived at the decision after “in-depth analysis”.
The decision by DSTV and GOtv has heightened the frustration of subscribers who are still battling with the April 2024 price list.
Ebuka Michael with X handle, @e_bukamichael said, “Nigerians wake up! It is time to boycott Multichoice! We can’t be struggling to feed and still struggle to pay half the minimum wage to watch DSTV. This is extortion and it must stop”.
In a further effort to boycott DSTV subscribers, an aggrieved consumer, @silentwilsn shared “Websites where you can stream football, movies, soap operas, kids’ shows, and even live TV offering everything available on DStv and GOtv for free”.
Other subscribers like Adetokunbo Ademola with X handle, @iamade040482, blamed lawmakers and regulatory agencies for DSTv’s constant upward review.
He lamented, “I don’t blame them ,DSTV. I blame Nigerian lawmakers who give them this chance due to corruption. What exactly is stopping Nigerians from getting ‘pay as you watch’ package?”
Meanwhile, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ,FCCPC, has summoned Multichoice, the parent company of DSTV and GOtv over the recent 20% price hike for its plans.
The Commission said yesterday that MultiChoice Nigeria has to explain its proposed subscription price increase.
Multichoice proposed price hike will take effect on March 1, 2025.
FCCPC said, “Exercising its mandate under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, the FCCPC directed the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria to attend an investigative hearing at the Commission’s headquarters on Thursday, February 27, 2025.
“This action follows MultiChoice’s formal notification of the price adjustment, which raises concerns about recurrent unilateral price hikes, potential market dominance abuse, and perceived anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry.
“The FCCPC is deeply concerned that Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases, amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different pricing strategies in other markets, heightening questions about fairness and market abuse”.
FCCPC said Multichoice will be sanctioned if found wanted.
“Should MultiChoice fail to provide satisfactory explanations or be found in violation of fair market principles, the FCCPC will be left with no other option than to impose regulatory penalties, sanctions, or other corrective measures to protect Nigerian consumers”, the commission said.
The FCCPC said it is engaging the sector regulator and other relevant agencies to ensure fair competition and consumer protection within Nigeria’s broadcasting and digital subscription landscape.
