DSTV Subscription Increase: NANS Threatens To Lock Up Multichoice Offices As Nigerians Deplore Action

MultiChoice Nigeria has planned to increase prices of DStv and GOTV subscriptions from May, in an economy that is ravaged by inflationary pressures and fallen value of the local currency.

Specifically, the South African company has announced an upward review of prices on its DSTV and GOTV packages by 17% in text messages to its subscribers with effect from May 1, 2023.

But the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), South-west Zone, has given MultiChoice Nigeria, a seven-day ultimatum to reverse its planned hike on DSTV and GOTV subscription rates.

The student body said if Multichoice fails to yield to its demand it will be left with no other option but to lock up all offices of DSTV.

This was made known on Tuesday by NANS in a statement signed by its Coordinator, Adejuwon Olatunji, Deputy Coordinator, Alao John, and Public Relations Officer, Opeoluwa Awoyinfa.

NANS which opposed the increase in the subscription said the South African company was bringing hardship on, and extorting Nigerians, without considering their standard of living.

It also noted that tariffs should be charged on a “pay as you view” basis.

Consequently, the students’ body has called for federal government’s intervention.
NANS in its statement said, “Today, we are aware that MultiChoice Digital Satellite has increased its tariffs without considering the standard of living of Nigerians. We have also waited for long to see if this same company will dance to the music of Nigerians who have been clamouring for ‘pay-as-you-view’ tariff, but the reverse is the case.
“This is the time to call on the National Broadcasting Commission to go back to the Commission’s act to regulate the ownership, activities and operations of Direct Broadcast Satellite Service Providers. DSTV is one of the leading direct-to-home service providers in Nigeria since its inception of operation from as far back as 1995 and has also made a lot of profit with over 25 million subscribers which is the largest market for its operations.
“We want the Federal Government to stampede their proposed plan in tariffs increment and also force them to implement the pay-as-you-view system. We are aware that DSTV operates a system of pay-as-you-go tariffs in other countries.’’

It stated that Nigeria constitutes over 45% of DSTV’s global market share, and therefore called on the President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Communication to “break the sporting right of MultiChoice” and provide an alternative service provider in the country, so that “Nigerians can stop being exploited on a daily basis.”

It stated, “We hereby give seven days ultimatum to MultiChoice Digital Satellite Television to reverse the plan of increasing the tariffs and also yield to the call of Nigerians by implementing pay-as-you-view tariffs, or else, we shall be left with no other option but to lock up all offices of DSTV until our demands are met which is the mind of all Nigerians.”

Also, some Nigerians have been reacting to the proposed increment with many of them critical of the action by the South African firm.

“It is irrational on the part of the management of the satellite company which has paid deaf ears to agitation for pay- as-you- view system to suddenly wake up and increase the subscription prices of their products. What do they take Nigerians for?”

Another subscriber questioned the rationale fir the action saying, “they continue to show us same movie without diversification.”

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Speaking further, he said, ‘’MultiChoice increasing their subscription rates makes no sense because most if thir stations are borrowing.”

Other subscribers were sympathetic to their plight, saying, like any other businesses, they are affected by the hostile business environment typified by rising cost of diesel, the only reliable source of light in the country for now.