MultiChoice Nigeria has officially announced a significant 21% increase in the subscription fees for its DStv Compact package, raising the cost from ₦15,700 to ₦19,000. The new pricing structure is set to take effect from March 1, 2025.
According to reports, this marks the second time in less than a year that MultiChoice has raised its prices, following a similar adjustment in May 2024. The company cited inflation and increased operational expenses as the primary reasons behind these frequent increments.
The recent announcement has triggered widespread discontent among subscribers, who have expressed frustration over the constant price hikes despite ongoing complaints about the quality of service. Many customers have taken to social media to voice their concerns, questioning the rationale behind the increase, especially in an economic climate where disposable income is already stretched thin.
In a formal customer notice issued on Monday, MultiChoice defended its decision, stating that the price adjustment was part of a broader pricing structure review aimed at maintaining the quality of content and service delivery.
While the DStv Compact package will be affected by the increase, the company clarified that the prices of the Compact Plus (₦30,000) and Premium (₦44,500) packages will remain unchanged.
The official notice, titled “Price Adjustments for DStv and GOtv Packages,” read: “Dear Customer, please be informed that effective March 1, 2025, there will be a price adjustment across all DStv packages. This adjustment is necessary to enable us to continue delivering premium homegrown and international content using the best technology available.”
Despite this explanation, the backlash from subscribers has been intense, with many taking to various platforms to air their grievances over what they describe as “exploitative” and “unjustified” price increases.
Reacting to the news, social media users expressed their frustrations:
@SimoncoleB wrote: “This is absolute nonsense. The only reason I even pay ₦42,000 for DStv is for football. For movies, I still have to subscribe to Amazon Prime, Netflix, and pay for Starlink. That’s nearly ₦90,000 monthly for all these services. Now, they are increasing it to ₦44,500? The Senate should stop fighting Natasha and tackle MultiChoice over their football monopoly.”
@alpacino841_ commented: “Ever noticed how the price of everything keeps rising? Well, MultiChoice is not immune to Nigeria’s harsh economic reality either. Love & Light.”
@AbiolaAdebisi7 said: “The last increase isn’t even up to a year, and they’re hiking the price again? It’s time for Nigerians to boycott this nonsense.”
@amandastephen07 lamented: “First it was MTN increasing their prices, and now it’s DStv. Only God can help us in this country.”
@IamChris1999 remarked: “Nigerians will keep adjusting until the day they can’t anymore. That’s the sad reality.”
@harfsertEbrahem questioned: “Will there be any improvement in the content, especially in updated movies and series? Because this new tariff is way too high for the service we’re getting.”
@Samrel6 added: “When you operate a business in a country that doesn’t care about its people, you can treat them however you want because you know there won’t be consequences. God bless Nigeria.”
@Zeeek0300 declared: “At this point, I’m done. From ₦7,500 to ₦9,800, then ₦11,500, then ₦15,700, and now ₦19,000. I’ll stop subscribing.”
@ghostshadow_1 observed: “Everyone is exploiting Nigerians. When people don’t have options, they get taken advantage of. Until we demand better, this will keep happening.”
@Nyerowvo sarcastically remarked: “All hail Tinubu’s economy!”
As the new subscription rates approach their implementation date, many Nigerians are contemplating alternative entertainment options, with some calling for government intervention to regulate the pay-TV industry and prevent monopolistic practices.