MultiChoice Nigeria, a leading pay-TV provide has stirred controversy with its latest announcement of a 21% price increase for the DStv Compact package, set to take effect on March 1, 2025. The adjustment will see the subscription fee rise from ₦15,700 to ₦19,000, marking the second price hike in less than a year. This follows a similar increase in May 2024, which the company attributed to inflation and escalating operational costs. However, the decision has sparked a firestorm of criticism from subscribers already grappling with economic challenges in Nigeria.
A Pattern of Price Adjustments
In a customer notice titled “Price Adjustments for DStv and GOtv Packages,” MultiChoice justified the hike as a necessary measure to sustain its offerings. The company emphasized its commitment to delivering “world-class homegrown and international content” through cutting-edge technology, despite the economic pressures it faces. Notably, the price adjustment applies selectively: while the Compact package sees a steep increase, the Compact Plus (₦30,000) and Premium (₦44,500) bouquets will remain unchanged. This selective approach has done little to quell the growing discontent among subscribers, many of whom question the value they receive for their money.
The May 2024 adjustment was already a bitter pill for customers to swallow, and this latest hike, coming less than ten months later, has intensified frustrations. Nigerians, already burdened by rising costs of living, are now facing yet another blow to their household budgets, prompting calls for accountability and better service delivery.
Subscriber Backlash: A Cry for Value and Fairness
The announcement, made public on Monday, triggered an immediate backlash on social media, where subscribers vented their anger and disappointment. Many pointed to the disconnect between the frequent price increases and the perceived stagnation in service quality. For instance,
@SimoncoleB, a Premium bouquet subscriber, expressed exasperation at the cumulative cost of entertainment in Nigeria. “The only reason I pay ₦42,000 for DStv is for football,” he wrote. “To watch movies, I still have to subscribe to Amazon Prime, Netflix, and pay for Starlink. That’s basically ₦90,000 a month for all the debits on my card. Now you increase to ₦44,500. The Senate should face DStv and break their football monopoly.”
Others, like@AbiolaAdebisi7, called for a boycott, arguing that the rapid succession of price hikes without corresponding improvements warrants a collective response. “The last increment is not up to a year yet, and they are set to announce another one,” he fumed. “It’s time to boycott this nonsense company.” Similarly,
@Zeeek0300 chronicled the steady climb of the Compact package price, from ₦7,500 to ₦9,800, then ₦11,500, ₦15,700, and now ₦19,000—announcing his intent to cancel his subscription altogether.
Economic Realities or Corporate Overreach?
MultiChoice’s defense hinges on the broader economic context, a point acknowledged by some subscribers.
@alpacino841_ noted, “Ever noticed how the price of everything seems to be going up lately? Well, MultiChoice is not immune to the economic realities of the country either.” Inflation in Nigeria has indeed soared, eroding purchasing power and driving up operational costs for businesses. Yet, this explanation has failed to resonate with many customers who feel exploited rather than empathized with.
@ghostshadow_1captured this sentiment succinctly: “Everyone is just exploiting the Nigerian masses. When we don’t have a choice or many options, na every week dem supposed dey change am sef till we learn to stand up and demand better for ourselves.” The lack of competitive alternatives in the pay-TV market has left subscribers feeling trapped, amplifying their frustration with MultiChoice’s pricing strategy.
Service Quality Under Scrutiny
Beyond the financial strain, a recurring theme in the backlash is the demand for tangible improvements to justify the higher fees.
@harfsertEbrahem questioned, “Hope there will be an improvement in updated movies and series to watch, because this tariff is way too high.” Others echoed this concern, arguing that the content library and service reliability have not kept pace with the rising costs. For many, the value proposition of DStv, once a household staple has diminished, especially as streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime offer diverse, on-demand entertainment at more predictable rates.
@amandastephen07 linked the hike to broader economic woes, lamenting, “First MTN, now DStv. Na God go help us for this country.” The reference to MTN, Nigeria’s largest telecom provider, underscores a growing perception that major corporations are passing the burden of economic hardship onto consumers without offering respite.
A Call for Accountability
The reaction to the price hike has also taken on a political tone, with some subscribers pointing fingers at systemic failures.
@Samrel6r emarked, “When you have a business in a country that doesn’t care about its people, you treat the people anyhow you wish because you know the country won’t do anything.” Meanwhile,
@Nyerowvo sarcastically dubbed it the “Tinubu economy,” a jab at the administration of President Bola Tinubu, under whose tenure inflation and currency depreciation have worsened.
@IamChris1999 offered a sobering reflection: “It’s a pity that Nigerians will keep adjusting until the day they can no longer adjust anymore.” This sentiment hints at a breaking point—a moment when consumer tolerance might give way to more organized resistance.
What Lies Ahead for MultiChoice?
As March 1, 2025, approaches, MultiChoice Nigeria faces a critical juncture. The company’s ability to retain its customer base will hinge on how it addresses the mounting grievances. Will it double down on its pricing strategy, banking on subscribers’ reliance on its sports and entertainment offerings? Or will it heed the calls for enhanced service quality and greater transparency?
For now, the 21% hike has reignited debates about market monopolies, consumer rights, and corporate responsibility in Nigeria. As subscribers weigh their options, some contemplating a shift to streaming services or an outright boycott MultiChoice may find that its latest gamble comes at a steeper cost than anticipated: the loyalty of a weary customer base.
