MultiChoice Nigeria has announced that it has adjusted the prices of its DStv and GOtv packages effective from May 1, 2023. The adjustment sees over a 16% increase in price on all packages for its Nigerian subscribers.
The company reached out to its subscribers about this development via text message, claiming the decision was due to rising business operation costs. Customers can however retain their old prices if they are active by April 30 and continue to renew before due date for the next 12 months.
The hike will see DStv Premium subscribers pay N24,500 monthly, instead of the previous amount of N21,000. Similarly, the price on the Compact+ bouquet would move to N16,600 from N14,250, while subscribers on the Compact bouquet would pay N10,500 as against N9,000. Confam subscribers would pay N6,200 as against N5,300, and those on DStv Yanga and Padi would pay N3,500 and N2,500, respectively, as against N2,950 and N2,150.
Meanwhile, on the GOtv service, GOtv Supa package subscribers would pay N6,400 as against N5,500, GOtv Max subscribers would pay N4,850 as against N4,150, GOtv Jolli subscribers would pay N3,300 as against N2,800, while the tariffs on GOtv Jinja and GOtv Lite would also rise from N1,900 to N2,250 and N900 to N1,100, respectively.
The hike is not just limited to MultiChoice Nigeria as their Kenyan and South African markets also suffered the same fate. However, Nigerian subscribers suffered the highest percentage increase with prices going up as high as 16% compared to the 5% and 3-10% increase to Kenyans and South Africans respectively.
A country-by-country price comparison showed that Nigerian DStv Premium subscribers would pay the equivalent of $33.11, with those in South Africa paying 879 Rands ($48.48). The tariff of N16,600 to be paid by Nigerian Compact+ subscribers is equivalent to $22.43, while those in South Africa will pay 579 Rands ($31,94). Compact customers in Nigeria will pay the equivalent of $14.19 (N10,500). Kenyan subscribers on the three bouquets will pay KES 9,500 ($70.06), KES 5,900 ($43.51), and KES 3,300 ($24.34), respectively.
The hike has been met with strong criticism from Nigerians with most people stating that MultiChoice’s monopoly in the Nigerian Cable TV market is the reason for the decision. Also, the South-west Zone arm of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has issued an ultimatum of seven days to the pay-tv company to reverse its proposed price increase. The group has voiced its opposition to the subscription hike, claiming that the South African company is exploiting Nigerians without taking their living standards into account. Furthermore, the group has recommended that tariffs be charged based on a “pay as you view” model.
The price increase by MultiChoice Nigeria comes shortly after StarTimes, a Chinese-operated television company, announced new prices for its packages. This adjustment in prices may have an impact on the Nigerian television market, as it could affect the purchasing power of subscribers who may consider switching to other television providers. However, the price lock offer by MultiChoice Nigeria is an incentive for subscribers to continue using their services, as it offers them the opportunity to enjoy the old rates for 12 months.
