TheNewsGuru

Tag: DSTV

  • Jittery MultiChoice quickly slashes DStv decoder price, offers subscription upgrade as Chairman, other officials fail to appear in court

    Jittery MultiChoice quickly slashes DStv decoder price, offers subscription upgrade as Chairman, other officials fail to appear in court

    After its Chairman, Adewunmi Ogunsanya, and other top officials of the company failed to appear before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, MultiChoice has hurriedly slashed DStv decoder price.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports MultiChoice slashed its HD Zapper DStv decoder price by 50% from N20,000 to N10,000 with its premium DStv Explora decoder now at N223,999.

    In a statement by MultiChoice Nigeria’s CEO, John Ugbe, the company said it will also be offering its customers a free upgrade to the next DStv package tier when they pay their current subscription in full from June 16 to July 31, 2025.

    According to Ugbe, the upgrade is automatic for all active and returning subscribers who renew their subscriptions during the promo period, while claiming that the initiative was its response “to the noticeable economic impact on the everyday lives of Nigerians.”

    However, TNG observed that this is coming after Ogunsanya, Ugbe and six other top officials of the pay-Tv company failed to appear before Justice Omotosho over allegations bordering on breach of Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.

    When the matter was called at the Abuja Federal High Court on Tuesday, none of the defendants was in court, citing improper service of court documents, including the hearing notice.

    The prosecuting agency’s lawyer, Chizenum Nsitem, who is counsel to the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), then sought an adjournment date to enable FCCPC arraign the defendants and for the defendants to take their plea.

    Justice Omotosho subsequently fixed October 7 2025 to arraign Ogunsanya and Ugbe, along with Fhulufhelo Badugela, CEO of MultiChoice Africa Holdings; Retiel Tromp, Chief Financial Officer, Africa; and Keabetswe Modimoeng, Group Executive for Corporate Affairs.

    Others to be arraigned also include a director, Adebusola Bello; Fuad Ogunsanya; Gozie Onumonu, who is the Head Regulatory Affairs and Government Relations, and the company itself.

    In the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/197/2025, the defendants were preferred with seven counts. While MultiChoice Nigeria Limited is the 1st defendant, Ogunsanya, Ugbe, Badugela, Tromp, Modimoeng, Bello, Fuad Ogunsanya and Onumonu are 2nd to 9th defendants respectively.

    In count one, Multichoice Nigeria Limited was alleged to have on March 6 at No 23, Jimmy Carter Street, Asokoro, Abuja, without sufficient reason failed to appear before the FCCPC in compliance with a lawful summons issued on Feb. 25, “and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 33 (3) of the FCCP Act, 2018”.

    In court six, Ogunsanya, Ugbe and others, being directors of the company, were alleged to have on March 6 “caused MultiChoice Nigeria Limited to impede investigation of the FCCPC by refusing to produce documents and thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 110 of the FCCP Act, 2018”.

    Recall that MultiChoice, the operator of DStv and Gotv, recently increased the subscription rates on its packages against an invitation by FCCPC to give explanation on why the company wanted to effect a price hike.

    Justice Omotosho had, on May 8, dismissed the suit filed by MultiChoice seeking to stop FCCPC from taking administrative action against the company.

    The judge, in a judgment, held that the suit, following an ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/379/2025, was an abuse of court process, having been filed after a similar suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2025, was filed on the issue by a lawyer, Festus Onifade, with Multichoice and FCCPC as parties in the suit.

    The FCCPC had summoned MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd to provide explanations regarding the March 1 price review of its packages.

    The commission directed the company’s chief executive officer to appear for an investigative hearing on Feb. 27, raising concerns over frequent price hikes, potential market dominance abuse and anti-competitive practices within the pay-TV industry.

    The FCCPC also issued a stern warning, stating that failure to justify the price adjustment or comply with fair market principles would lead to regulatory sanctions.

    However in the suit filed by MultiChoice’s legal team, the company sought an order of injunction restraining the regulatory commission and its officers from carrying out the threat against it, as communicated via a letter dated March 3.

    Nevertheless, Multichoice went on to implement tariffs hike for DStv and GOtv, following the May 8 ruling of the Federal High Court, presided over Justice Omotosho.

  • Multichoice implements tariffs hike for DStv, GOtv after FHC ruling

    Multichoice implements tariffs hike for DStv, GOtv after FHC ruling

    After the May 8, 2025 ruling of the Federal High Court in Abuja, Multichoice has implemented tariffs hike for DStv and GOtv.

    Recall that Multichoice in February notified its customers of price increment across its subscription packages on both DStv and GOtv.

    According to the company, price review will hike the DStv Compact bouquet from N15,700 to N19,000, representing a 25% increase.

    The Compact Plus package will also increase from N25,000 to N30,000, which is a 20% increment.

    For the highest package, DStv Premium, the company said the subscription price will go up from N37,000 to N44,500, which also represents a 20% increment.

    In the notice sent to its customers, the company said the new price regime was to take effect from March 1, 2025.

    However, a summons by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and a subsequent suit filed by MultiChoice at the Federal High Court (FHC) in Abuja put the tariffs hike on hold.

    Meanwhile, a recent check by TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) indicates that Multichoice has now implemented the tariffs hike for DStv and GOtv.

    As of May 9 after the FHC ruling, DStv confam package was N11,000.00. However, after implementing the tariffs hike, DStv confam has skyrocketed to N14,048.00.

    Throwback: FCCPC lacks power to interfere in decisions of private companies to fix prices – FHC rules

    Although the Abuja Federal High Court dismissed the suit filed by Multichoice, the court held that FCCPC lacked the power to interfere in the decisions of private companies to fix prices.

    The Federal High Court on May 8 dismissed the suit filed by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited seeking to stop FCCPC from taking administrative action against it.

    Justice James Omotosho, in a judgment, held that the suit was an abuse of court process having been filed after a similar suit was filed on the issue by a lawyer, Festus Onifade, with Multichoice and FCCPC as parties in the suit.

    MultiChoice, the operator of DStv and Gotv increased the subscription rates on its packages against an invitation by FCCPC to give explanation on why the company wanted to effect the price hike.

    Justice Omotosho, on March 12, restrained FCCPC from sanctioning the pay-Tv company until the hearing and determination of the substance suit.

    The judge gave the order after an ex-parte motion marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/379/2025 and moved by Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, to challenge FCCPC’s alleged threat.

    The FCCPC had summoned MultiChoice Nigeria Ltd to provide explanations regarding the March 1 price review of its packages.

    The commission directed the company’s chief executive officer to appear for an investigative hearing on February 27, raising concerns over frequent price hikes, potential market dominance abuse and anti-competitive practices within the pay-TV industry.

    The FCCPC also issued a stern warning, stating that failure to justify the price adjustment or comply with fair market principles would lead to regulatory sanctions.

    However in the ex parte motion filed by MultiChoice’s legal team led by Moyosore Onigbanjo, the company sought an order of interim injunction restraining the FCCPC and its officers from carrying out the threat against it, as communicated via a letter dated March 3, pending the hearing and determination of the motion for an interlocutory injunction.

    It also sought an order restraining the commission and its officers from issuing any further directive or taking any steps capable of disrupting its business activities, pending the hearing and determination of the motion for an interlocutory injunction.

    Justice Omotosho on March 27 then fixed May 8 for judgement after counsel for the MultiChoice, Onigbanjo and FCCPC’s lawyer, Prof. J.E.O. Abugu, SAN, adopted their processes and presented their arguments for and against the suit.

    Delivering the judgement, the judge observed that an earlier suit filed by Onifade before the same Federal High Court in Abuja, and in which Multichoice is a party, was still pending before the company decided to file the instant suit.

    The judge said Multichoice could ventilate the issues in the suit filed by Onifade simply filing a counter claim rather than filing a separate suit.

    “With respect to issue two, abuse of court process refers to when a party misuses a court process for the purpose of harassing or annoying his opponent.

    “It is to file multiple processes on the same issues and between the same parties,” he said, citing previous court cases.

    According to the judge, the abuse lies in the multiplicity and the manner or evidence of the right of the parties rather than the exercise of the right per se.

    Citing previous case, Justice Omotosho held that “the employment of judicial process is generally regarded as abuse of judicial process where a party improperly uses the issue of the judicial process to the irritation and annoyance of his opponent and the efficient administration of justice.”

    The judge said MultiChoice also admitted to the existence of a similar suit In Paragraphs 7 and 8 of its further affidavit.

    “Now in that suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2025 between Mr. Festus Onifade and Multichoice Nigeria Limited and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, the plaintiff there had filed a suit challenging the right of Multichoice to increase its subscription price as same is unfair.

    “The plaintiff therefore sought among others a declaration that Multichoice suspends its impending price increase for being in breach of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, 2018.

    “This instant suit was filed by Multichoice challenging the powers of the defendant (FCCPC) to regulate its subscription prices.

    “The origin of both suits is from a complaint by the said Mr Festus Onifade about the alleged unfair increase proposed by Multichoice Nigeria Limited.

    “It is therefore clear as day that weighing both suits, especially the parties and reliefs sought, the suits are similar and can be contested in one of the suits and not in different actions,” he said.

    He further held that MultiChoice was aware of the suit number: FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2025 filed by Onifade on February 27, “which means it was filed before this instant suit.”

    “To my mind, filing this instant suit even though the defendant in that suit is now the plaintiff is an abuse of court and an unnecessary and vexatious duplicity of actions.

    “Quite dearly, these issues can be dealt with in that pending suit without the need to file a fresh surt.

    “Relying on the above decisions, I therefore hold that the plaintiff in this suit could have ventilated its grievance in the other pending suit without the need to file a fresh suit.

    “Allowing this suit to go on to conclusion will lead to a likely conflict of decisions arising from judgments in this court and in the other suit.

    “The long and short of what this court is trying to say is that this instant suit is an abuse of court process on grounds of multiplicity of actions.

    “Thus this suit must be dismissed for being an abuse of court process,” the judge ruled.

    The judge then proceeded to decline jurisdiction and dismissed the suit.

    However, Justice Omotosho went ahead to determine the case on its merit and held that since Nigeria runs a free market economy, the FCCPC lacked the power to interfere in the decisions of private companies to fix their prices.

    The judge held that  under Section 88 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act, it is only the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that can regulate prices in a regulated industry and for essential goods, not the kind of services being rendered by the Multichoice where consumers have choices.

    The judge  held that the FCCPC had no business querying how companies fix their prices in a free market economy.

    Meanwhile, the earlier suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/363/2025 and filed by Onifade before the Federal High Court in Abuja, in which Multichoice and FCCPC are parties, is still pending and undecided.

  • FCCPC stops DStv, GOtv subscription price hike

    FCCPC stops DStv, GOtv subscription price hike

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has ordered MultiChoice, the company behind DStv and GOtv, to withhold subscription price increase until after investigation.

    TheNewsGuru recalls that FCCPC on Tuesday summoned MultiChoice, over the planned increase in its cable TV subscription prices.

    TNG earlier reported that Multichoice is preparing to implement a 21% increase in the subscription fee for its DStv Compact package, raising the price from ₦15,700 to ₦19,000, effective March 1, 2025.

    The increase comes nearly a year after the last price review.

     FCCPC, however, in a statement on Thursday, said the decision to halt the increase in subscription price was to protect customers while the investigation goes on.

    It read in part: “Nigeria to maintain its current subscription prices until the ongoing investigation into its proposed price hike is concluded.

    “This directive follows MultiChoice Nigeria’s request for an extension regarding its scheduled appearance before the Commission.

    “While the FCCPC has granted the request, the company is now required to attend the rescheduled investigative hearing on March 6, 2025, along with all relevant officers and a comprehensive response.

    “Pursuant to this, MultiChoice is expressly instructed to maintain the existing price structure as of February 27, 2025, pending the Commission’s review and final determination on the matter.

    “Maintaining the status quo on pricing is essential to prevent any potential consumer harm during this period.

    “Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”

  • Another headache for Nigerians as DStv, Gotv set to increase subscription fee

    Another headache for Nigerians as DStv, Gotv set to increase subscription fee

     

    MultiChoice, the company behind DStv, is preparing to raise the subscription fees for its Compact bouquet from ₦15,700 to ₦19,000.

    This adjustment is expected to take effect soon, according to industry insiders.

    The increase comes nearly a year after the last price review.

    The devaluation of the naira and rising energy costs have been identified as key reasons behind this change.

    Many businesses in telecommunications, transport, and consumer goods have also raised prices in response to Nigeria’s economic conditions.

    Other DStv packages will also be affected.

    The Family and Access bouquets are expected to move from ₦9,300 to ₦11,000 and ₦5,100 to ₦6,000, respectively. Premium and Compact+ subscribers will also see new rates, though specific figures have yet to be confirmed.

    Similarly, GOtv users will experience price changes.

    GOtv Value subscribers will pay ₦3,900 instead of ₦3,600, while GOtv Plus customers will see an increase from ₦4,850 to ₦5,800.

    Since 2023, economic policies such as fuel subsidy removal, currency devaluation, and electricity tariff hikes have caused the cost of goods and services to rise sharply.

    Inflation in Nigeria reached 34.8% in December 2024, forcing many companies to adjust their prices multiple times last year.

    Businesses across various sectors have reported heavy losses due to currency fluctuations, making price hikes a necessary measure for survival.

  • MultiChoice defends price hike at Tribunal, gives reasons

    MultiChoice defends price hike at Tribunal, gives reasons

    MultiChoice Nigeria has attributed the recent price hikes for DSTV and GOTV to the depreciation of the naira, rising taxes, and other economic factors.

    This led to a legal dispute, resulting in a tribunal ruling that fined MultiChoice and mandated a free one-month subscription for customers due to non-compliance with interim orders.

    MultiChoice appealed the ruling, citing increased operational costs and economic challenges, and stated that they duly notified customers and regulatory authorities before the price increase.

     

    In its counter affidavits before the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, MultiChoice Nigeria argued that the price hikes were necessary due to the fallen value of the naira and increasing taxes. The legal team emphasized that the company had notified customers a month in advance.

     

    Nairametrics reported that a three-man panel of the tribunal, led by Thomas Okosu, fined MultiChoice 150 million naira and ordered one month of free subscription for customers, citing non-compliance with interim orders.

     

    During the resumed hearing, Onifade questioned the tribunal’s decision to allow MultiChoice’s numerous applications, arguing that the tribunal’s primary objective is to protect consumers. Tribunal chair Thomas Okosu restrained Onifade from continuing this line of argument, emphasizing the rights of both parties. Onifade and the legal team of the FCCPC then requested more time to respond to the counter-affidavits, and the tribunal adjourned the hearing to July 29, 2024.

     

    MultiChoice announced the price adjustments on April 24, 2024, informing subscribers that the new prices would take effect from May 1, 2024. The company cited rising business operation costs as the reason for the increase, which ranged from 25% to 26% across packages.

     

    The commission indicated that it would review MultiChoice’s reasons for the price hike and might involve regulatory bodies like the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The economic conditions in Nigeria have impacted MultiChoice’s subscriber base, with active DStv subscribers in the country declining by 18%.

     

     

  • We didn’t reduce our subscription rate – Multichoice

    We didn’t reduce our subscription rate – Multichoice

    MultiChoice, a  satellite television provider in Nigeria, has denied viral reports that it’s has reduced subscription fees amid a recent drop in subscribers.

    The reports claimed that the company had initially increased its prices, citing rising costs and inflation, but the move was met with widespread criticism from consumers and regulatory authorities.

    Recall that the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja subsequently ordered MultiChoice to revert to its old prices, pending the outcome of a full hearing on the matter.

    The initial report said Multichoice has now complied with the court order, readjusting its subscription rates for both DStv and GOtv users.

    However, contrary to the claims making the rounds that the company bowed to pressure by reducing its rates.

    Checks have revealed that both GOtv and DStv apps showed that all categories of subscription packages remained the same.

    According to the report, the new rates, which took effect on June 16, 2024, see the DStv Premium package reduced from N37,000 to N29,500, while the Compact+ package has been reduced from N25,000 to N19,800.

    Similarly, the Compact Bouquet package has been reduced from N15,700 to N12,500, and the Confam package has been reduced from N9,300 to N7,400.

    GOtv subscribers have also seen their prices reduced, with the Super+ package now costing N12,500 instead of N15,700, and the Super package reduced from N9,600 to N7,600.

    The GOtv Max package has been reduced from N6,300 to N5,700, while the GOtv Joli package has been reduced from N4,500 to N3,950. The GOtv Jinja package has been reduced from N3,200 to N2,700.

  • MultiChoice reverts subscription prices following a court ruling

    MultiChoice reverts subscription prices following a court ruling

    MultiChoice, the owner of DStv and GOtv, has been forced to revert to its old subscription prices following a court order.

    The company had previously increased its prices, but the court ruled that the hike was unjustified.

    According to reports, the company has lost over a million subscribers in Nigeria due to the price increase.

    The price hike was implemented to align with market realities following high inflation in Nigeria and the naira’s devaluation.

    The old prices are as follows: DStv Premium package: N29,500 (down from N37,000); DStv Compact+ package: N19,800 (down from N25,000); DStv Compact Bouquet: N12,500 (down from N15,700); DStv Confam package: N7,400 (down from N9,300); DStv Yanga package: N4,200 (down from N5,100); DStv Padi package: N2,950 (down from N3,600).

    GOtv subscribers will also see a reduction in prices, which is as follows: GOtv Super+ package: N12,500 (down from N15,700); GOtv Super package: N7,600 (down from N9,600); GOtv Max package: N5,700; GOtv Joli package: N3,950; GOtv Jinja package: N2,700 (down from N3,300).

    It is not clear if MultiChoice will also offer a month-free subscription as ordered by the court. However, the company has vowed to challenge the court order, saying it does not favour its business model.

  • MultiChoice to appeal tribunal ruling ordering free subscription

    MultiChoice to appeal tribunal ruling ordering free subscription

    MultiChoice Nigeria says it will appeal the ruling of the competition and consumer protection tribunal (CCPT) after the company was fined N150 million for challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) had earlier reported that the tribunal fined MultiChoice and ordered the company to provide one-month free subscriptions on DStv and GOtv to Nigerians.
    MultiChoice announced an increase in the cost of subscriptions for its DStv and GOtv packages on April 24.
    However, on April 29, the tribunal stopped MultiChoice from increasing its tariffs and cost of products and services, which was scheduled to begin on May 1
    MultiChoice challenged the tribunal’s verdict restricting it from increasing the prices of its packages through an application filed on April 30 by Moyosore Onibanjo, the company’s lawyer.
    The tribunal, in its ruling on Friday, cited section 39 (2) of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) Act which states the “tribunal shall have jurisdiction throughout the federation and on all commercial activities aimed at making a profit”.
    For failing to comply with the order of the tribunal not to implement the price adjustment, Thomas Okosu, who led the three-man tribunal panel, imposed an administrative penalty on Multichoice.
    In a statement addressing the order, MultiChoice said it disagrees with the position of the tribunal.
    “MultiChoice Nigeria is aware of the recent ruling by the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) regarding its jurisdiction to entertain a price regulation matter,” the company said.
    “We disagree with the ruling, and will therefore file an appeal against said ruling.”
    MultiChoice said the company is restrained from making further comments because the matter is currently sub judice.
  • DStv, GOtv ordered to give Nigerians free subscriptions

    DStv, GOtv ordered to give Nigerians free subscriptions

    The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal on Friday fined Multichoice Nigeria Limited the sum of N150 million for disregarding its order restraining the pay TV company from increasing its monthly subscription pending the determination of the suit brought before it.

    TheNewsGuru.com(TNG) understands that Multichoice is the parent company of DStv and GOtv.

    In the hearing, the tribunal also ordered the company to provide its Nigerian customers with a one-month free subscription to its DStv and GOtv packages.

    Recall, the tribunal had ordered Multichoice In April not to increase its subscription fees without proper notice, following a lawsuit filed by a lawyer Festus Onifade.

    The lawyer argued that the eight-day notice given for the price increase was insufficient.

    Multichoice, on its part, argued that previous rulings had settled price regulation issues.

    Onifade insisted the length of notice was inadequate and more pressing than the price hike itself, prompting the tribunal to affirm its jurisdiction and ruling against Multichoice.

    The court fixed July 3 for a hearing of the substantive suit of the plaintiff.

  • PAY TV: FCCPC keeps mum on MultiChoice’s price hike

    PAY TV: FCCPC keeps mum on MultiChoice’s price hike

    Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), on Thursday, did not oppose the recent price hike on tariffs and cost of products and services by MultiChoice Nigeria Limited, the owners of Dstv and Gotv.

    FCCPC made this known through its lawyer, Nikiomari Abeke, before the three-member panel of Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal (CCPT) sitting in Abuja.

    The three-member tribunal is chaired by Thomas Okosun.

    The CCPT had, on April 29, restrained MultiChoice from increasing its tariffs on the Dstv and Gotv packages scheduled to take effect from May 1, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by Festus Onifade.

    The tribunal, presided over by Saratu Shafii, gave the interim order following an ex-parte motion moved by Ejiro Awaritoma, counsel for the applicant, Onifade.

    CCPT, thereafter, directed all parties in the suit to appear before it on Ma y7 at 10am for the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.

    Onifade, in the suit marked: CCPT/OP/2/2024 and filed April 29, had dragged MultiChoice and FCCPC before the tribunal.

    The claimant, also a legal practitioner, sought two orders, including an order of interim injunction restraining the Pay-Tv operator from going ahead with its impending price increase until the determination of the motion on notice.

    But MultiChoice, through its lawyer, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, filed a preliminary objection praying the court to decline jurisdiction in the suit.

    Onigbanjo argued that such price dispute case had been decided before in favour of his client.

    However, Onifade, in his response, urged the tribunal to discountenance the company’s objection and direct it to pay the sum of N10 billion or any amount the panel might deem fit in the circumstance for deliberately disobeying and failure to comply with the interim order.

    When the case was called on Thursday, Onigbanjo tendered and adopted the previous judgement of the tribunal in suit no CCPT/OP/1/2022 as exhibit alongside his application.

    The senior lawyer argued that when a court had already determined an issue between same parties on the same subject matter before, that matter cannot be re-litigated again by any tribunal or court.

    “Therefore, this tribunal cannot sit on appeal on its decision.

    “This tribunal is bound by its own decision in Exhibit A; that it is not the forum where the claimant can come to seek to regulate the prices and services offered by MultiChoice,” he said, urging the tribunal to strike out the suit.

    On his part, Onifade argued that the issue he brought did not border on price regulation or increase.

    He said what he placed before the court was whether the company gave adequate notice in respect of the May 1 subscription price increase.

    “It is our submission that the 8-days notice issued by Multichoice Nigeria Ltd is insufficient in law.

    “A monthly subscriber should be given at least a month,” he said, praying the tribunal to dismiss the preliminary objection for being a waste of time of the court.

    Counsel for the FCCPC, Abeke, told the CCPT that the commission was not opposing MultiChoice preliminary objection.

    According to the lawyer, to that extent, no process or no counter was filed to the motion of the first defendant (MultiChoice).

    After taking the arguments of parties, the tribunal adjourned the suit until June 7 for ruling