The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned MultiChoice Nigeria over its planned subscription price increase set to take effect on March 1, 2025.
Spokesman for the commission, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, said in a statement that the FCCPC expressed its concern over the recurrent price hikes in Nigeria’s pay-TV industry, warning against possible anti-competitive practices and market exploitation.
He said the commission had invited MultiChoice’s chief executive officer for an investigative hearing on February 27, 2025, at its headquarters.
The commission expressed concern over the recurring unilateral price increases, warning that such actions raise serious questions about fairness, market abuse, and potential anti-competitive practices.
“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.
“This action follows MultiChoice’s formal notification of the price adjustment, which raises concerns about recurrent unilateral price hikes, potential market dominance abuse, and perceived anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry.
“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 said.
it added: “The FCCPC remains committed to ensuring that businesses operate fairly and in line with Nigeria’s consumer protection laws.
“If MultiChoice fails to provide a satisfactory justification for its pricing strategy or is found in violation of fair competition principles, the commission will take necessary enforcement actions, including sanctions and corrective measures,” the statement said.
The commission also said it was working closely with the sector regulator and other relevant agencies to promote fair competition in Nigeria’s broadcasting and digital subscription industry.
With growing public frustration over the frequent cost increases in pay-TV services, the FCCPC reassured Nigerian consumers that it would continue to push for transparency, accountability and fair market practices in the sector.
Recall that the pay-tv service provider had on Monday announced another increase in the prices of its DStv and GOtv packages, set to take effect from March 1, 2025.
The company disclosed this to its customers in a statement entitled ‘Price adjustment on DStv and GOtv packages’ and signed by its chief executive officer, Mr John Ugbe.
“Dear Customer, please note that effective 1 March 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages. This is to enable us to continue to offer our customers world-class homegrown and international content, delivered through the best technology,” the company said.
The new prices are:
DStv Packages
Compact: From N15, 700 to N19, 000
Compact Plus: From N24, 500 to N30, 000
Premium: From N29, 500 to N44, 500
GOtv packages:
GOtv Value: From N3, 600 to N3, 900
GOtv Plus: From N4, 850 to N5, 800
GOtv Max: From N6, 200 to N8, 500
GOtv Supa: From N9, 600 to N11, 400
GOtv Supa Plus: From N13, 500 to N16, 800
MultiChoice attributed the price increase to the rising cost of doing business in Nigeria.
The company also cited factors such as currency depreciation and high inflation, which have significantly increased its operational expenses.
