The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has instructed MultiChoice Nigeria to halt price hikes.
This directive follows MultiChoice’s request for an extension regarding its scheduled appearance before the consumer protection watchdog.
FCCPC summoned MultiChoice over its plan to increase DStv and GOtv subscription prices starting March 1, 2025.
The CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria was expected at an investigative hearing at the FCCPC headquarters on February 27, 2025.
However, the hearing has been rescheduled for March 6, 2025, with MultiChoice required to provide a comprehensive response.
The commission mandated MultiChoice to retain its current pricing as of February 27, pending a final decision.
FCCPC emphasized that maintaining existing prices is necessary to prevent potential consumer exploitation during the review.
MultiChoice had previously announced price hikes across its DStv and GOtv packages, effective from March 1, 2025.
DStv Compact would increase from N15,700 to N19,000, while Compact Plus would rise from N25,000 to N30,000.
The highest package, DStv Premium, was set to jump from N37,000 to N44,500, reflecting a 20% price increase.
GOtv subscribers also faced increases, with the GOtv Supa Plus package rising from N15,700 to N16,800.
MultiChoice justified past price hikes by citing Nigeria’s high inflation, which exceeded 30% in 2024.
In 2023, MultiChoice raised prices twice, resulting in a loss of 243,000 Nigerian subscribers between April and September 2024.
