Wednesday, February 26, 2025 - The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned the parent company of DSTV, MultiChoice Nigeria to provide explanations regarding its planned subscription price increase, scheduled to take effect on March 1, 2025.
In a statement released on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, the FCCPC
directed the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria to appear before
the commission for an investigative hearing at its headquarters on Thursday,
February 27, 2025.
According to the FCCPC, the move follows MultiChoice’s formal
notification of the price adjustment, raising concerns about recurrent
unilateral increases, potential market dominance abuse, and anti-competitive
practices within the pay-TV sector.
“Exercising its mandate under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, the FCCPC
directed the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria to attend an
investigative hearing at the Commission’s headquarters on Thursday, February
27, 2025.
“The FCCPC is deeply concerned that Nigerian consumers continue to face
frequent price increases, amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different
pricing strategies in other markets, heightening questions about fairness and
market abuse,” the statement read.
The agency also noted that it is engaging the sector regulator and other
relevant authorities to ensure that competition remains fair and consumer
protection is upheld within Nigeria’s broadcasting and digital subscription
industry.
Multichoice informed its customers that a new pricing regime would take
effect from March 1, 2025, affecting all DStv and GOtv packages.
Under the new rates, the DStv Compact bouquet will rise from N15,700 to
N19,000, reflecting a 25% increase. The Compact Plus package will increase from
N25,000 to N30,000, a 20% hike, while the highest plan, DStv Premium, will jump
from N37,000 to N44,500, also reflecting a 20% increment.
For GOtv users, the Jinja package will rise from N3,600 to N3,900, while
the GOtv Jolli tariff will increase from N4,850 to N5,800.
The GOtv Max package will move from N7,200 to N8,500, while the GOtv
Supa will increase from N9,600 to N11,400. The highest GOtv package, Supa Plus,
will now cost N16,800, up from N15,700.
The FCCPC warned that failure by MultiChoice to provide satisfactory
explanations regarding the price review, or any violation of fair market
principles, would attract regulatory actions.
“Should MultiChoice fail to provide satisfactory explanations or be
found in violation of fair market principles, the FCCPC will be left with no
other option than to impose regulatory penalties, sanctions, or other
corrective measures to protect Nigerian consumers.”
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