MultiChoice has increased its pay-TV prices despite a ruling from Nigeria’s FCCPC against such raises. The increases took effect on March 1, 2025, prompting the FCCPC to require the presence of MultiChoice’s CEO at a hearing. The company has experienced significant subscriber loss and revenue decline, highlighting ongoing economic difficulties in Nigeria.
MultiChoice has proceeded with a price increase for its DStv and GOtv pay-TV services, despite an earlier ruling by Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) deeming such a rise unacceptable. The company initially sought to maintain its previous subscriber rates while deliberating with the FCCPC on the issue. However, reports indicate that the price hikes, announced on February 27, 2025, took effect on March 1, 2025, warranting an official inquiry from the FCCPC regarding the matter.
The FCCPC has mandated the attendance of MultiChoice’s Chief Executive Officer at an upcoming hearing to discuss the recent increases. This follows the company’s request for additional time to prepare for a scheduled appearance before the commission. Ondaje Ijagwu, the director of corporate affairs at FCCPC, confirmed that the rescheduled investigative hearing is set for March 6, 2025, where the company must provide a detailed response alongside relevant officials.
In a related context, MultiChoice previously reported a concerning trend, revealing that approximately 243,000 Nigerian subscribers opted not to renew their services between April and September 2024, attributed to adverse economic conditions in the country. Furthermore, the MultiChoice Group documented a significant 30.77 percent decline in subscriber income from Nigeria for the fiscal year ending in March 2024.
In conclusion, MultiChoice’s decision to implement price hikes on its services has drawn scrutiny from Nigeria’s FCCPC, which had previously ruled against such increases. The FCCPC’s investigation aims to understand the rationale behind these changes and their implications for subscribers. With a noted decline in subscriber numbers and income, this situation reflects the challenging economic landscape in Nigeria.
Original Source: www.advanced-television.com
