The South African media company MultiChoice, which runs DStv and GOtv, recently revealed that subscription rates for its Nigerian audience would go up. The price hike is set to take place on May 1, 2023.
Nigeria’s subscription rate is up to 16% higher than other African nations. MultiChoice reports increases in Kenya and South Africa. DStv subscription prices rose 5% in Kenya and 3–10% in South Africa.
Even though the company has given several reasons for the increase, such as economic problems, the rising cost of acquiring material, and inflation, Nigerian subscribers have mixed feelings about this new increase. Many people have shared their dissatisfaction and disappointment on social media sites.
Some have called for a boycott of the company’s services on social media. Given the nation’s economic situation, others say the increase is unreasonable. Due to high prices, a weakening currency, and rising unemployment, many Nigerians struggle to survive.
Read also: MultiChoice pushes into streaming as the DSTv model struggles
All bouquets to be affected
The news said that starting May 1, people who pay for the Premium package will have to pay N24,500 instead of N21,000, which is a 16.7% increase. The Compact+ package will cost N14,250 per month, which is a 16.5% increase.
The company said that people who signed up for the Compact package would pay N10,500 instead of N9,000, which is a 16.7% rise. On the other hand, subscribers to the Confam package will now pay N6,200 instead of N5,300, which is a 17% rise.
The Yanga and Padi sets from DStv will now cost N3,500 and N2,500, instead of N2,950 and N2,150. The increases are 18.6% and 16.3%.
The company said it needed to examine prices to keep serving consumers due to economic issues. “MultiChoice acknowledges the difficult economic climate and thus kept the increase at the lowest possible point while ensuring sustainability and provision of quality services,” the company said.
MultiChoice Nigeria’s objective is to provide fantastic entertainment to clients. “Our top priority is to meet our customers’ needs,” it continued.
The company is proposing a price lock offer to users who renew their subscriptions on time, allowing them to pay previous rates for 12 months if they pay monthly before their subscriptions.
MultiChoice Nigeria raising subscription fees
MultiChoice began operating in Nigeria as a joint venture in the 1990s with a single analogue bouquet of six channels. DStv and GOtv, two of Nigeria’s most popular pay-TV services, provided many Nigerians with access to sports, cinema, and music.
MultiChoice’s Nigerian path has been arduous. The corporation faced tough competition from NTA and HITV when it entered the Nigerian market. MultiChoice’s larger channel lineup and better picture quality set it apart.
In Nigeria, MultiChoice has raised its subscription rates multiple times. In 2015, the firm raised all subscription rates by 20%. Subscribers were divided and sued over the change.
In 2018, MultiChoice raised its prices by 5%. The company said that inflation and the cost of getting material were to blame. Again, subscribers had mixed feelings, with many saying they were unhappy.
In 2020, the South African streaming service raised prices again, citing the increase in VAT as the reason.
In April 2022, MultiChoice raised contract prices again, saying that it had to do with the economy. There have been many meetings between the South African company and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to try to find an answer.
Despite complaints, the number of people who subscribe to MultiChoice is growing all over the country. Users can watch live and on-demand TV on their phones with DStv Now.