MultiChoice, the parent company of DStv and GOtv, has reportedly announced a U-turn on its license fees following a recent court ruling.
The decision comes after the Competition and Consumer Protection Court in Abuja ordered MultiChoice to reverse price increases it deemed unjustified. These price increases were in response to economic challenges such as high inflation and currency devaluation, which led to a backlash from subscribers.
The company’s initial price adjustments led to a significant loss of over one million subscribers, especially in financially strapped Nigeria. MultiChoice had previously increased the prices of various packages, affecting services such as DStv Premium and GOtv Super+.
Following the court order, MultiChoice has made immediate price cuts. For DStv subscribers, this means a reduction in the cost of several packages.
For example, the DStv Premium package now costs 29,500 naira (down from 37,000 naira), while the Compact+ package will drop in price from 25,000 naira to 19,800 naira.
Similar adjustments apply to other packages such as DStv Compact Bouquet, DStv Confam, DStv Yanga, and DStv Padi. GOtv customers will also benefit from the price cuts.
The GOtv Super+ package is now priced at 12,500 naira (previously 15,700 naira) and the GOtv Super package is priced at 7,600 naira, down from 9,600 naira.
Cheaper packages like GOtv Jinja are now priced at 2,700 naira (previously 3,300 naira). Despite complying with the ruling to reduce prices, uncertainty remains over MultiChoice’s position on offering a one-month free subscription as per the court order.
MultiChoice has indicated it intends to challenge this aspect of the ruling, citing concerns over the impact on its operations. The decision to revert to previous prices is aimed at easing the financial burden on customers amid ongoing economic hardship in Nigeria and elsewhere.
MultiChoice continues to navigate these dynamics as it strives to maintain its market position and subscriber base in the region.
