Breaking: Senate Directs Service Providers MultiChoice to Reduce Prices of DStv, GOtv Packages
- Last week, MultiChoice, alerted Nigerians that it is increasing the price of subscriptions of their packages by 14 percent, a development that was not well received in the polity
- In a new development, the Senate has asked MultiChoice, owners of DStv and GOtv, to reduce the prices of its packages owing to the prevailing economic circumstances of the country
- The resolution of the upper legislative chamber was followed by a motion sponsored by Abba Moro, senator representing Benue south, on Wednesday, March 30
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has constituted a seven-man ad-hoc committee to probe the tariff hike introduced by pay-tv service providers operating in the country.
This was even as the Senate directed all pay-tv service providers to immediately review their bouquet prices downwards in tandem with the prevailing reality of the economic situation in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by Dr. Ezrel Tabiowo, special assistant (Press) to the President of the Senate, on Wednesday, March 30, Lawan while announcing the composition of the ad-hoc committee, tasked the panel to carry out a comprehensive investigation into how other countries are billed by pay-tv service providers.
Source: Facebook
The Deputy Whip, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi (Niger North), was appointed by Senator Lawan to Chair the ad-hoc committee.
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Members of the committee include Senators Sulaiman Abdu Kwari, Oluremi Tinubu, Yusuf A. Yusuf, Lekan Mustapha, Chukwuka Utazi, Akon Eyakenyi.
Senate reacts
Earlier, the Senate in a motion kicked against the increase in tariffs by MultiChoice Nigeria.
The motion titled, “Nigerians dumbfounded, outraged over Pay-Tv Tariff Hikes, demand for Pay-Per-View subscription model”, was sponsored by Patrick Abba Moro (Benue South).
Abba Moro's position
The lawmaker noted with concern the uproar within the public over tariff hikes, price increases by Pay-tv service providers on their bouquets;
He stated that the leading pay-tv service provider in Nigeria, (MultiChoice Nigeria) informed all DStv compact subscribers on August, 22 2020, to expect a 13.3% price increase to N7,900 up from N6,975 commencing from September 1, 2020.
Moro bemoaned the hike in subscription fee for DStv compact plus by 9.8 percent from N10,925 to N12,000, and DStv premium from N16,200 to N18,400 indicating a 13.6% hike.
According to him:
“MultiChoice Nigeria willfully and perpetually increases the cost of its bundles because there is no regulation whatsoever in the area of fixing rates.
“Notes further that as usual, without recourse to the economic situation of the country MultiChoice has again raised the cost of its DStv and GOtv bundles stating them as follows, DStv Premium (#21,000), Compact (#14,250), Compact (#9, 000), Confam (#5, 300), Yanga (#2, 950), Padi (#2, 150), Business(#2, 669), Xtraview PVR access fee (2, 900).
“Those of GOtv are as follows; GOtv Max (4,150), GOtv Jolli (#2, 6669), GOtv Jinja (#1, 900), GOtv Lite (#900)."
Reacting to Nigerian's lamentation
The lawmaker expressed concern that thousands of pay-tv subscribers in Nigeria have bitterly reacted to the development on different social media platforms, ranging from deep shock to pure outrage with many asking the Nigerian government to checkmate the activities of pay-tv service providers in Nigeria, especially in the area of fixing prices.
Senate's final verdict
The Senate, in its resolutions, on Wednesday, urged the Federal Ministry of Communications and Digital Economy, and the Nigerian Communications Commission to direct all pay-tv providers to introduce a pay-per-view model of subscription as against the month-to-month prepaid model presently in place.
The chamber also directed all pay-tv service providers in Nigeria to immediately review their bouquet prices downwards in tandem with the prevailing reality of the economic situation in the country.
It also resolved to set up an Adhoc committee to embark on a full-scale investigation on the pricing activities of DStv (MultiChoice Nigeria) in Nigeria to bring it in line with international practice.
DSTV, GOtv subscribers to pay more as MultiChoice announces new prices for all packages starting from April 1
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Dstv and GoTV subscribers in Nigeria will be paying new prices to watch their favourite channels, MultiChoice has announced.
The new rates which were made public today, March 22 2022, the company said is due to the rising costs of inflation and business operations.
The new changes will take effect from April 1, and it is for all packages on offer,
Resetting you GOtv sitting at home
Meanwhile, an earlier publication by Legit.ng addressed the challenge of resetting GOtv channels.
The article showed various ways on how individuals can reset their GOtv channels sitting at home without calling a service centre or GOtv customer care centre.
Readers were also given a rundown of the many packages accessible to consumers and what is the greatest fit for the viewing audience based on their preferences and choices.
Source: Legit.ng
