By Jemimah Wellington, JKNewsMedia Reporter
THE OPERATOR of DStv and GOtv, MultiChoice Nigeria, faces backlash over another subscription fee hike, sparking concerns among consumers.
Towards this end, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned the company to justify the latest increase, which takes effect on March 1, 2025.
The FCCPC, in a statement issued on Tuesday, directed MultiChoice Nigeria’s Chief Executive Officer to appear at its headquarters on February 27 for an investigative hearing.
The regulatory body said it is concerned about the recurring pattern of unilateral price increases, which it believes could indicate market dominance abuse and anti-competitive practices within the pay-TV industry.
Many subscribers, already burdened by economic challenges, have taken to social media to express frustration, accusing MultiChoice of unfairly imposing frequent price hikes.
The latest adjustment raises the DStv Premium package fee from N37,000 to N44,500, while the Compact+ bouquet will now cost N30,000 instead of N25,000.
Other subscription tiers also face similar increments.
The FCCPC stated that its action follows MultiChoice’s formal notification of the price revision.
Exercising its mandate under Sections 32 and 33 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA), the commission emphasised that it would not hesitate to impose penalties or corrective measures if MultiChoice is found in violation of fair market principles.
“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,” the statement read.
“This raises questions about fairness and potential market abuse.”
Regulatory oversight of pay-TV services has been a recurring issue in Nigeria, with previous complaints about MultiChoice’s pricing model and its alleged disregard for consumer protection laws.
The FCCPC noted that it is engaging with the sector regulator and other relevant agencies to ensure competitive market practices and improved consumer protection in Nigeria’s digital broadcasting landscape.
Should MultiChoice fail to provide a satisfactory explanation for the price hike, the commission warned that it could face sanctions, fines, or other regulatory actions aimed at safeguarding consumer interests.
