Last month, Multichoice Nigeria, the parent company of Nigerian pay television platforms DStv and GOtv, disclosed a price adjustment for its packages.
Despite a court order, the new prices became effective from May 1, 2024. The South African-owned company attributed the recent increase to an escalation in the cost of business operations.
The news has sparked widespread discontent among Nigerians.
According to the pay-TV company, customers subscribed to the DStv Premium bouquet will now pay N37,000, up from the previous N29,500, while those on Compact+ will see their subscription fees increase to N25,000 from N19,800. Customers on the Compact bouquet will face a hike to N15,700 from N12,500.
For subscriptions to Confam, Yanga, and Padi packages, customers will now pay N9,300, N5,100, and N3,600 respectively, up from N7,400, N4,200, and N2,950.
Regarding the GOtv packages: Supa Plus subscribers will experience an increase from N12,500 to N15,700, Supa Old from N7,600 to N9,600, Max from N5,700 to N7,200, and Jolli from N3,950 to N4,850. Jinja package will rise from N2,700 to N3,300, and the Smallie package from N1,300 to N1,575.
In response to this announcement, some Nigerians, including Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry, have declared their intention to boycott the cable network.
The announcement has triggered widespread dissatisfaction among Nigerians.
According to the pay-TV company, subscribers to the DStv Premium bouquet will now see their subscription fee increase to N37,000 from the previous N29,500, while Compact+ customers will face a rise to N25,000 from N19,800. Subscribers to the Compact bouquet will experience a hike to N15,700 from N12,500.
For Confam, Yanga, and Padi packages, subscribers will now be charged N9,300, N5,100, and N3,600 respectively, up from N7,400, N4,200, and N2,950.
As for the GOtv packages: Supa Plus subscribers will witness an increase from N12,500 to N15,700, Supa Old from N7,600 to N9,600, Max from N5,700 to N7,200, and Jolli from N3,950 to N4,850. The Jinja package will rise from N2,700 to N3,300, and the Smallie package from N1,300 to N1,575.
In response to this development, some Nigerians, including Apostle Chibuzor Gift Chinyere, the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministry, have announced their intention to boycott the cable network.
Taking to his Facebook page, the clergyman expressed his stance: “The current economic reality in Nigeria has rendered the current price of DSTV/GOtv subscriptions unaffordable for millions of Nigerians.
Therefore, upon the expiration of my current subscription, I will not be renewing my DSTV subscription until the company reduces its prices. Starting today, I will seek alternative viewing options, primarily focusing on news and OPM TV, a 24-hour television station I frequently watch when time permits. However, I refuse to renew my DSTV subscription until prices are lowered.”
Joining the chorus of discontent is activist lawyer Madubuach Idam, who views the price increase as an exploitation of Nigerians. Consequently, he has filed a lawsuit against the company in the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, under the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/562/2024.
On his Facebook page, the clergyman shared his position: “The current economic situation in Nigeria has made the DSTV/GOtv subscription fees unmanageable for millions of Nigerians. Consequently, I will not renew my DSTV subscription when it expires until the company reduces its prices.
From today onwards, I will explore alternative viewing options, focusing mainly on news and OPM TV, a 24-hour television station I watch when time allows. I am steadfast in my decision not to renew my DSTV subscription until prices are adjusted.”
Echoing this sentiment is activist lawyer Madubuach Idam, who perceives the price hike as exploitation of Nigerians. Subsequently, he has taken legal action against the company in the Federal High Court in Abuja, filing a suit identified as FHC/ABJ/CS/562/2024. Among other requests, Idam is seeking an order to compel Multichoice Nigeria Limited to introduce a pay-per-view or pay-during-viewing system by regulating or metering its decoder.
Furthermore, he is petitioning for an order requiring the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to ensure that all other television cable network providers implement similar metering systems for their subscriptions.
Idam seeks, among other demands, an order compelling Multichoice Nigeria Limited to implement a pay-per-view or pay-during-viewing system by regulating or metering its decoder.
Additionally, he requests an order mandating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to ensure that every other television cable network provider adopts similar metering systems for their subscriptions.
Posting on his Facebook page, the clergyman expressed his dissatisfaction: “The prevailing economic conditions in Nigeria have made the subscription fees for DSTV/GOtv unaffordable for many Nigerians. Consequently, upon the expiration of my current subscription, I will not be renewing my DSTV subscription until the company revises its pricing.
Starting today, I will explore alternative viewing options, primarily focusing on news and OPM TV, a 24-hour television station I watch when time permits. I stand firm in my decision not to renew my DSTV subscription until prices are adjusted.”
Activist lawyer Madubuach Idam, also disheartened by the price increase, perceives it as exploitation of Nigerians. As a result, he has initiated legal action against the company in the Federal High Court in Abuja, under the suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/562/2024.
Among other requests, Idam seeks a court order compelling Multichoice Nigeria Limited to implement a pay-per-view or pay-during-viewing system by regulating or metering its decoder.
Additionally, he calls for an order mandating the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to ensure that all other television cable network providers adopt similar metering systems for their subscriptions.
The constitutional lawyer criticized Multichoice’s treatment of Nigerian subscribers, emphasizing that Nigeria does not need foreign investments that exploit its citizens. He stated, “Even if Nigeria were in need of investors, these types of investors are exploitative and extortionate, and I don’t understand why Nigerians continue to tolerate it.”
He further urged Nigerians to hold the FCCPC accountable for Multichoice’s failure to adopt the pay-per-view system, stating, “Government should be interested in protecting the rights of citizens.”
He concluded by highlighting the existing laws in Nigeria, such as the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act of 2018, aimed at protecting consumers’ rights and encouraging Nigerians to challenge any exploitative acts inconsistent with the law.
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