Cable TV service provider, Multichoice has increased the prices for all their service subscription packages in Nigeria.
Multichoice in a statement on Tuesday announced the price increase for both DSTV and GoTV subscribers with a 16.7% increase difference from the old prices.
According to them, the move was due to various economic challenges impacting their business operations in the country.
The increase in price is to take effect from May 1st, 2023.
This tariff hike is coming barely a year after an initial increase in their subscription rates.
Meanwhile, the National Association of Nigerian Students has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Multichoice ordering a reversal of their intended price increase.
In a statement signed by the NANS Coordinator, Adejuwon Olatunji, Deputy Coordinator, Alao John, and Public Relations Officer, Opeoluwa Awoyinfa, the student association accused Multichoice of extortion and inflicting hardship on Nigerians.
The statement reads “Today, we are aware that MultiChoice Digital Satellite has increased their tariffs without considering the standard of living of Nigerians. We have also waited for long to see if this same company will dance to the music of Nigerians who have been clamouring for pay as you view tariff but the reverse is the case.
“This is the time to call on the National Broadcasting Commission to go back to the commission act to regulate the ownership, activities and operations of Direct Broadcast Satellite Service Providers. DSTV is one of the leading direct-to-home service providers in Nigeria since its inception of operation far back in 1995 and has also made a lot of profit with over 25 million subscribers which is the largest market for its operations.
“We want the Federal Government to stampede their proposed plan in tariffs increment and also force them to implement the pay-as-you-view system. We are aware that DSTV operates a system of pay-as-you-go tariffs in other countries.”
“We hereby give seven days ultimatum to MultiChoice Digital Satellite Television to reverse their plan of increasing their tariffs and also yield to the call of Nigerians and also implementing pay as you view tariffs or else we shall be left with no other option than to lock up all offices of DSTV until our demands are met which is the mind of all Nigerians,”
