DSTV, GOTV, the new subscription fees
By Richard Otega
Customers have lampooned
Multichoice Nigeria, owners of DStv and GOtv, for announcing another price hike for its subscription packages.
NATIONAL WAVES gathered that this is the third time the cable TV will increase its rate in less than one year.
The new prices according to Multichoice will take effect from May 1, 2024, a few months after its last price upward review.
This was announced in a statement titled, ‘Price Adjustment on DStv and GOtv Packages,’ read in part: “On Wednesday, 1 May 2024 we will adjust our prices across all our packages on DStv and GOtv.
“We understand the impact this change may have on you our valued customer, but the rise in the cost of business operations has led us to make this difficult decision.
“It remains our mission to provide the best entertainment and viewing experience to you and are committed to continue to deliver high-quality content and unparalleled service.”
The Cable TV blamed the latest increase on the “rise in the cost of business operations.”
The new prices for DStv packages are Premium: N37,000, Compact Plus: N25,000, Compact: N15,700, Confam: N9,300, Yanga: N5,100, Padi: N3,600, Access Fees: 5,000, XtraView: N5,000
While the new prices for GOtv packages are Supa+: N15,700,
Supa: N9,600, Max: N7,200, Jolli: N4,850, Jinja: N3,300, and Smallie: N1,575
Customers berated Multichoice which currently enjoys the monopoly of satellite television service provider in Nigeria.
The announced price increment has elicited widespread condemnation from some Nigerians, who view it as insensitive, considering the prevailing economic hardship.
Social media users have condemned the steep price increase.
Mrs Sheyi Oyesanya- Davies, condemned the hike via a WhatsApp group, she wrote “Multichoice has stated that they will be increasing prices for DStv and GOtv Packages starting on 1st May 2024……Sigh, This rip off is becoming unbearable”.
Another member of the group, Mr. Jimmy Enyeh, criticised the hike and wrote “Let raise our voices against this increase. This is unbearable”
Olubisi Oludamiro added her voice to those who took Multichoice to the cleaners over the hike, she said “I’m totally against the hike and I appeal to other customers to join me in dumping DSTV, this way they will have a rethink.
Peter Matins a singer and social media influencer popularly known as De Bayons criticise Multichoice Nigeria for the recent hike, He wrote his opinion to NATIONAL WAVES via WhatsApp “Dstv is bent on making life difficult for Nigerians, we have heard several times that the billing in their home country South Africa is cheaper than what they charge us here, what is the cause of this quarterly price increase?
I’m aware that they produce most of their entertainment programs themselves, they have their own actors, they also buy ready made movies at giveaway prices from our producers, so what is that very thing that makes the job difficult for them to warrant this continuous price increments?
“Is it the football matches that are giving them tough times? If they can no longer cope with the buisness terrains in Nigeria let them pack up to make room for indegenous investors and brands like TSTV whom they’re choking, let new brands spring up who knows how to trade in Nigeria to serve us better”
Mr. Churchill Umoren, a US based Behavioral and mental health therapist berated the regulators and the Nigerian legislators for compromising after being given complementary services by Multichoice. He wrote, “Useless country. The regulators and lawmakers get free services. Here I pay $5 /month for peacock ( EPL), UCL ( $7/month paramount +, Dasall. Even a guys who work with garbage trucks can afford it with no sweat. I have no cable because NBC CBS are National TV. They are free.Just download app”
Mr Ebuka Victor, a Facebook user, urged the Federal Government to address the incessant increase and also break the monopoly being enjoyed by the company.
According to him, DSTV is killing Nigerians, the Federal Government must urgently intervene and rescue the citizenry from the monopoly Multichoice is enjoying.
Mr Benjamin Chukwucheben, also a user of Facebook asked rhetorically, “is there no regulatory body in Nigeria to stop the incessant increase in subscription for DSTV?”
He claimed that Multichoice had increased subscription fee more than three times within a year.
Mr Frank Akpata, in his intervention on his Facebook page, said; “Nigerians should get a smart TV or use their PS5 console, download and subscribe to all streaming platforms available.
“You will watch sports, movies with updated independent source news in real time as well. And there are enough animations for kids,” he said.
Mr Abdullahi Adamu, another Facebook user, said “the price hike is coming at a time when many Nigerians are grappling with inflation, unemployment, and dwindling purchasing power.”
