Many Nigerians rely on DStv and GOtv for their entertainment, from sports and movies to news and local channels. These Pay TV services, owned by a company called Multichoice, offer different packages or bouquets at varying prices. Recently, Multichoice announced that they were planning to increase the subscription costs for all their packages starting from March 1st.
This means that if you’re a DStv Premium subscriber, your monthly bill would jump from N37,000 to N44,500. Similarly, Compact+ subscribers would see their fees rise from N25,000 to N30,000, and the Compact bouquet would increase from N17,000 to N19,000.
Why the Price Increase?
Multichoice claims that the price increase is due to “prevalent economic factors” that have led to increased operational costs. In other words, they’re saying that it’s becoming more expensive for them to run their business, and they’re passing some of those costs on to their customers.
Nigerians Are Not Happy
The problem is that many Nigerians are already struggling with the rising cost of living. This would be the second time in less than a year where they increase their prices. Many subscribers are angry about the constant price hikes without a corresponding improvement in service quality. People are taking to social media to express their frustration and some are even cancelling their subscriptions altogether.
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The House of Representatives Steps In
Recognizing the public outcry and the hardship this price increase would cause, the House of Representatives, which is a part of the Nigerian government, decided to take action.
A lawmaker named Esosa lyawe brought a motion before the House, highlighting the concerns of Nigerians about the price increase. He pointed out that Multichoice holds a dominant position in the pay-TV market, meaning they have a large share of customers, and any price increase from them will have a big impact. The House agreed that the price hike would put consumers under undue pressure.
What the House is Demanding
After debating the issue, the House of Representatives made two key decisions:
- Halt the Price Increase: They are directing Multichoice to immediately suspend the proposed price increase, meaning DStv and GOtv subscribers will not have to pay more for their subscriptions.
- Investigate the Price Hikes: The House has instructed its Committee on Commerce to investigate the reasons behind these frequent price increases by Multichoice. The committee will look into whether the increases are justified and whether there are ways to make pay-TV more affordable for Nigerians.
What Happens Next?
The Committee on Commerce has four weeks to conduct its investigation and submit a report to the House. This report will likely contain recommendations on how to regulate the pay-TV sector, ensure fair pricing, and protect the interests of consumers in Nigeria. So, for now, DStv and GOtv subscribers can breathe a sigh of relief as the price increase has been put on hold, at least temporarily, while the government investigates. This shows that the government is listening to the concerns of its citizens and is willing to step in when necessary to protect them from unfair business practices.
