Nigerian consumers vent frustration over exorbitant DStv, GOtv price hikes

Joy Agwunobi 

Multichoice Nigeria Limited has triggered a whirlwind of reactions from its customer base with a recent announcement of yet another price hike for its DStv and GOtv services. 

The Pay-TV  company recently reviewed prices in its packages across the board, noting that the new prices will take effect from May 1, 2024. With the latest price hike, the DStv Premium package is set to rise from N29,500 to N37,000. Similarly, the DStv Compact+ would go up from N19,800 to N25,000 while the Compact package has been   raised to N15,700 from N12,500.

The Comfam package has been moved from N7,400 to N9,300. The Yanga package moved up from 4,200 to N5,100 while the Padi package increased from N2,950 to N3,600. HDPVR was increased from N4,000 to N5,000, the Access Fees package from N4,000 to N5,000, and XtraView moved from N4,000 to N5,000.

Meanwhile, the Gotv Supa+ package has been moved from N12,500 to N15,700, Supa package from N7,600 to N9,600, and Max package from N5,700 to N7,200. While the Jolli package was jacked up from N3,950 to N4,850, the Jinja package moved from N2,700 to N3,300, and the Smallie package from N1,300 to N1,575.

Multichoice, in a statement, explained that the rise is a response to the increasing business operation costs in Nigeria and the devastating impact of inflation on the country’s economic environment.

The company stated: “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.

“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.” 

With a series of previous price increases in April and November of the previous year still fresh in the minds of its subscribers, the latest announcement has come as a disheartening surprise, compounding the already strained financial circumstances of many consumers. 

Some customers, outraged at the perceived lack of consideration and the potential damage to their budgets, have threatened to cancel their subscriptions, while others have begun to explore alternative entertainment options in the hope of finding a more affordable solution.

Onyeka Ezike, a DStv subscriber, voiced his strong disapproval to Business a.m., decrying the latest price increase as completely unwarranted, given the current economic climate and the fact that Nigeria represents Multichoice’s largest market with over 180 million homes.

Ezike drew a comparison with South Africa, where Multichoice introduced a flexible pay-as-you-go model, and wondered why a similar approach couldn’t be implemented in Nigeria, rather than imposing subscribers with a uniform price hike. 

The prospect of an exodus of dissatisfied customers from Multichoice’s services appears to be gathering steam as Onyeka Ezike expressed his growing discontent with the company’s approach to pricing, stating that he will be forced to reassess his commitment to their service should the planned price hike go ahead. Acknowledging the superiority of Multichoice’s offering, he nevertheless hints at the presence of viable alternative streaming platforms, suggesting that this competition could force the company to reconsider its strategy.

“If the new price stands, I will  have to explore other options. Their service is excellent, but other streaming options are also available,”he said.

Another subscriber, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, shared her concerns about the hike, nooting that it would have a great impact on her decision to continue her subscription.She openly shared her struggles with financial hardship,disclosing  that she is barely able to afford basic necessities like food due to the country’s economic challenges,adding that if Multichoice proceeds with the price increase, she will be forced to cancel her subscription. 

She  stated, “ I am struggling  to afford my basic needs. If Multichoice insists on being unreasonable, I will be left with no option but to cancel my subscription and  resort to finding entertainment on my phone. it is  the only way I can afford to keep myself entertained”.

Bright Chibuzor, a concerned father, shared his worries, “As a father with children to provide for, I find the prices to be very high. I urge the government to step in and call Multichoice to order because I don’t understand their reason for the constant price increase. He added that “despite the price increase I am  left with no choice but to find a way to subscribe because of  my children so they can watch their favourite shows.

As the debate over Multichoice’s price hike rages on, a small business owner, who depends on the company’s services to enhance the customer experience, shares her fears for the future, worrying that the planned increase could have a detrimental effect on her already fragile financial situation.

A small business owner, reliant on Multichoice’s services to support her business, also voiced her despair over the company’s impending price hike, sharing her fears that this could have devastating consequences for her livelihood and those of her fellow Nigerians.

She expressed “ I am just tired of this country, I don’t know whether we are moving forward or not. My customers were already struggling to cope with the previous price, which was already affecting my business. Now, with this new increase, I fear I may no longer enjoy the constant patronage I once had from my customers.” 

A growing tide of frustrated Nigerians has taken to social media to vent their frustration over Multichoice’s latest price hike, calling for decisive regulatory action to hold the company accountable for its perceived disregard for the interests of its Nigerian customers. 

Franklin Benjamin Onoben, an X user and concerned citizen, took to his handle to express his dismay at the company’s seemingly unchecked power, imploring the NBC and FCCPC to investigate.

 “Dear @nbcgovng @fccpcnigeria why are Nigerians at the mercy of #Multichoice with their arbitrary price increase as they wish? Why do we not have pay-per-view? Why do they have a near monopoly of the market? Why do we not have local brands offering similar content? What’s going on?” he queried.

Another X user @chinedum uwakwe, wrote: “This is absurd! .This is what happens when there is no price regulation and no competition. I don’t blame Multichoice, I blame the government for letting this happen. This abysmal act should be addressed by NASS with immediate effect.”

Destiny Agbanimu also took to his X handle. “I received a notification about a price increase from DStv and GOtv. It’s time to challenge the status quo. We shouldn’t be limited to MultiChoice alone. We need more alternatives,” he stated.