MultiChoice, a South African company that operates DStv, a major satellite television service in Sub-Saharan Africa and GOtv, a minor service operating in over nine countries of this area and Showmax service has been accused of extortion amidst poor content.
Some Nigerians made the allegations following the recent hike in the prices of DStv and GOtv subscriptions, stating that they have started boycotting the TV service provider.
MultiChoice Nigeria had in a text message on May 1, announced an upward review of prices on its DStv and GOtv packages by 17 per cent.
The recent hike came just a year after it jerked the subscription price. Recall that the company had in a statement in March 2022, said “In light of the rising costs of inflation and business operations, we have had to review the price of our packages to keep delighting our customers with great entertainment, anytime and anywhere. Therefore, from April 1, 2022, a new pricing regime for both our DStv and GOtv packages will be in effect.”
In view of the recent hike, Nigerians escalated their demand for “Pay As You View” tariff system. The National Association Of Nigerian Students (NANS), had issued a seven-day ultimatum to Multi Choice Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) to immediately implement the ‘Pay As You View tarrifs system’ or “we shall be left with no other option than to lock up all offices of DSTV until our demands are meant which is the mind of all Nigerians.”
NANS had said the ultimatum was germane to end the alleged hardship and extortionist policy of DSTV on Nigeria.
Despite the outrage, MultiChoice Nigeria has remained adamant about the recent hike, insisting on the new prices for its services.
This is Wickedness, Extortion, Nigerians react
Reacting to the hike, some Nigerians accused the TV service provider of extortion with impunity, and blamed the government for failing to regulate the activities of TV service providers.
Geogina Ugbajah, who reacted to a post made by DStv on Facebook about its services, said the recent increase is unacceptable and height of wickedness.
Emma Romeo, who wondered if the move is a joke, said “How would DSTV increase sub payment up just like that, like before CONFAM that is #5,400 suddenly increased to #6,200, despite we don’t do PAY AS YOU GO here in Nigeria”. He urged the management of DSTV to look into the increase. “We are not finding it easy here please. We can’t take this please”.
Another respondent, Attah Destiny opined that the continuous increase of price in DSTV packages means “time has come for them to lose customers to startime, which kind yeye operation cost, South Africa are milking us dry with their increment in prices, whereas it is not like that in south Africa, and our government is not saying anything”.
Nwankwo Ogechi Peter said Nigeria does not have an effective government, “that is why you people do that unnecessary increment, anyway, I no blame una because, when government increase tax on you people, that is why you people increase the subscription and also refused to give us pay as you go.
A subscriber who identified himself as Tvno Cardo warned Nigerians to “Subscribe at your own risk”. He said as a DSTV customer “I feel they are ripping customers off big time especially their Nigeria Customers, increasing monthly subscription fee and giving us poor services — aside Super Sport there’s nothing else DSTV offers us – I really wish a rival company can pop out”.
Ifeanyi Samuel didn’t mince words when he said this recent increment by DStv is crazy. “I’m not subscribing until you guys do the needful,” he maintained.
An enraged Sarah Omokaro said DStv increasing the subscription fee is crazy. She wondered if the service providers think they give value for the money subscribers pay. “Someone should pay 10500 to watch repeats? You must be kidding,” she added.
For Segun Adeniyi, Nigerians should boycott DStv “because you people keep on increasing the price of subscription at all cost”. He added that “I personally feel they need competitors, is not funny at all, you people are not doing well”.
Akpos Wilfred Agoinzoh strongly averred that after his current monthly subscription expires, his “marriage” with DStv would be over. “I’m going back to my DVD player,” he vowed.
Blessed Uju said he had the intention to subscribe his Gotv “but this price increment just made me change my mind. Is it that you guys don’t understand the situation of this country”?
Asiwaju Oyeniyi exonerated MultiChoice when he said he will not totally blame Gotv and other cable TV network, because incessant increasing cost of amenities would also affect them. He, however, stated that his subscription has finished and he has no plan to renew it anytime soon.
“Why would GOtv insist on NOT going PAY AS YOU GO? Is it because the corrupt government has allowed them MONOPOLY OF THE MARKET?” Kezy Okany asked. He said it is shameful that Nigeria has allowed CultiChoice to monopolize the market.
Sunday Ocheme didn’t joke when he said this is the time to throw the decoder away. “Something you people should do to make more customers and now you want to reduce them by increasing the price,” he added.
“Enough is enough,” Oluwanishola Odunayo Jimoh said.
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