In a move that has triggered widespread discontent, Pay-TV provider MultiChoice Nigeria has announced a 21% increase in the subscription fee for its DStv Compact package, raising the price from ₦15,700 to ₦19,000, effective March 1, 2025.
This adjustment follows a similar price hike in May 2024, which the company attributed to inflation and rising operational costs.
The latest increase has drawn criticism from subscribers, many of whom took to social media to express frustration over frequent price hikes without a corresponding improvement in service quality.
MultiChoice Justifies Price Increase
In a notice sent to customers on Monday, the company explained that the price review was part of its strategy to sustain high-quality content offerings. While the DStv Compact package will see an increase, MultiChoice confirmed that the prices for Compact Plus (₦30,000) and Premium (₦44,500) will remain unchanged.
The notice, titled “Price Adjustments for DStv and GOtv Packages,” read in part:
“Dear Customer, please note that effective March 1, 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages. This is to enable us to continue offering our customers world-class homegrown and international content, delivered through the best technology.”
Subscribers React to the Hike
Despite MultiChoice’s justification, the increase has been met with strong disapproval. Many subscribers argue that the company has failed to improve service delivery, citing complaints about repetitive programming, service disruptions, and frequent reauthorization checks even for premium subscribers.
A frustrated subscriber, Okechukwu, lamented the content repetition:
“Apart from repeating movies—sometimes on two channels at the same time—there’s a constant interruption to check if you’re subscribed or authorized to watch a channel, even when you have the Supa+ package.”
Another user, Kevin Okeke, pointed out that many customers might explore alternative platforms:
“More people will switch to better options, especially those who don’t care about football matches.”
Concerns Over Market Monopoly
Some customers blame the lack of competition in Nigeria’s pay-TV sector for the constant price hikes, arguing that MultiChoice’s market dominance allows it to increase prices unchecked.
“It’s always easy for them to increase prices because there’s no real competition. That’s what a monopoly does to consumers,” a user complained.
In response to the latest hike, another subscriber, Ramsey, called for a boycott of the service:
“The last increment was less than a year ago, and now another one? It’s time to boycott this company.”
Nigeria’s Rising Cost of Living
Beyond Pay-TV, consumers are increasingly concerned about the rising cost of living in Nigeria, which has affected essential services such as electricity, fuel, and groceries.
Oburu Chinedu, a subscriber, linked the DStv price increase to the country’s economic situation:
“The way we pay tariffs in this country, you’d think we were in London or Dubai! Even electricity is outrageously expensive. How did we get here?”
Way Forward: Can Subscribers Expect Relief?
The repeated price increases raise questions about consumer protection and regulatory oversight in Nigeria’s entertainment and telecommunications industries.
While some argue for government intervention to regulate pricing, others believe that only increased competition and better alternatives will force MultiChoice to reconsider its pricing structure.
As subscribers weigh their options, the debate over value for money in Nigeria’s Pay-TV sector remains unresolved.
With many customers seeking alternative platforms and streaming services, MultiChoice may need to rethink its strategy to maintain customer loyalty in an increasingly competitive market.
