TheNewsGuru

Tag: DSTV

  • Nigerians to pay more for DStv, GOtv subscriptions as MultiChoice hikes rates today

    Nigerians to pay more for DStv, GOtv subscriptions as MultiChoice hikes rates today

    Following MultiChoice’s announcement to adjust subscriptions, subscribers are to pay more to view channels on DStv and GOtv networks with effect from Monday (today).

    MultiChoice in a statement by its Chief Executive Officer, John Ugbe said the price adjustment was arrived at after careful consideration of the market and a review of its business operations.

    “We have made efforts to contain any price adjustments on subscription prices. However, to ensure the sustainability of the business, we have to consider financial impacts, including inflation as well as increased content and operational costs,” Ugbe said in the statement.

    “As such, we have reviewed the prices of some of our bouquets so that we can continue to survive as a business and bring quality entertainment to our customers.

    “To arrive at the decision to adjust prices, we took into account many factors, including the impact on the customer, current inflation, content costs and efficiencies within the company.”

    Ugbe said the packages will continue to be available at varying pricing points to allow subscribers flexibility in price and choice without compromising quality or variety.

    “To this end, only the prices of some of the bouquets have been reviewed upwards while the lower bouquets have been left untouched,” he added.

  • Nigerians lament, groan as DStv increases subscription fees amid COVID-19 pandemic

    Nigerians lament, groan as DStv increases subscription fees amid COVID-19 pandemic

    A cross section of Nigerians on social media have lamented over the recent increment in the prices of DSTV and GOTV subscriptions for the second time in less than 4 months.

    While some blamed the Federal Government for allowing the South African-owned company manipulate them,others blame the company for being insensitive amidst the economic pangs of the COVID-19 pandemic

    TheNewsGuru gathered that DStv Compact subscribers were told to expect a 13.3% price. This implies that subscribers who were paying N6,975 will be paying N7,900 from September 1st.

    In the same vein, the subscription fee for DStv Compact Plus has been increased by 9.8% from N10,925 to N12,000.

     

    Part of the notice by the leading pay-tv provider said, “Dear Customer, please be advised of a price adjustment on your DStv Compact package from 1 September. Your new monthly subscription will be N7,900.”

     

    Shock and outrage are the words that capture the reactions of Nigerians over the proposed subscription hike.

    @Remnantprince wrote: Despite lawmakers intervention. Some people in government raised the issue of the costly price for DSTV bouquet, now no one is talking.price is up again. Please we need #dstvpayperview

     

    @Yinkuccc: We mst all condemn this nonsense increment review of @DStvNg

    subscription. It is nothing bt total exploitation because they know we a more or less residing in a lawless country where the riches make more money while taken advantage of d less privileges.

     

    @TheMrNass: DStv has successfully bribed lawmakers in this country for this impunity to continue. Some people in government raised the issue of the costly price for DSTV bouquet, now no one is talking price is up again. Please we need #dstvpayperview

     

     

    @Natodus wrote: DStv has successfully bribed lawmakers in this country for this impunity to continue. Some people in government raised the issue of the costly price for DSTV bouquet, now no one is talking price is up again. Please we need #dstvpayperview , retweet if you are concerned #bbnaija

     

    @NewsgossipssDStv has successfully bribed lawmakers in this country for this impunity to continue. Some people in government raised the issue of the costly price for DSTV bouquet, now no one is talking price is up again. Please we need #dstvpayperview , retweet if you are concerned.

    As at the time of filing this report, the company is yet to react to the public outrage over the proposed subscription hike.

  • Reps committee assures Nigerians of justice over DStv

    Reps committee assures Nigerians of justice over DStv

    The House of Representatives ad hoc Committee investigating non implementation of pay-as-you-go package by DStv and other satellite providers in the country has assured Nigerians of justice.

    Chairman of the ad hoc committee, Unyime Idem, gave the assurance while addressing journalists on Tuesday in Abuja after the inauguration of the committee by the Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila.

    Idem, also Deputy Chairman, House Committee on Communication, representing Ukanafun/Orukanam Constituency of Akwa-Ibom, said the matter before the committee affected vast majority of Nigerians.

    “As chairman of this ad hoc committee, I want to assure Nigerians that their interest will be protected.

    “When I moved the motion on the floor of the house, I stated that business of this nature, the customers should be given the right to choose what they want.

    “We have interacted with Nigerians and what they want is pay-as-you-go so that when they are out in their respective locations, their subscriptions can be there and they will make use of it when they return.

    “We are here to defend our constituents who happen to be the consumers; based on the inauguration today, I can tell Nigerians that justice will be done at the end of the day,” he said.

    Edem said the committee was ready to step on toes, saying that constituents elected reps based on courage and boldness and that would be brought to play.

    The lawmaker said all stakeholders including the regulators and service providers would be invited to deliberate on ways to open up the sector.

    He said that all bottle necks would be critically looked into with the view to liberalising it for more interested Nigerians to benefit.

  • DSTV, Shoprite resume business

    DSTV, Shoprite resume business

    Business activities have resumed at various firms owned by South African nationals in Lagos. Our correspondents who went to Lekki, Surulere, observed that many of the outlets opened for business.

    At the Shoprite centre in Lekki, It was observed that business activities went on unhindered as it did, before the reprisal attacks.

    PEP at Ogba is back with customers engaging in shopping.

    At Bode Thomas in Surulere, the DSTV office was also open for business; a staff also confirmed they resumed work nationwide on Sunday.

    He noted that some branches reopened on Saturday, but stressed that by Sunday morning all branches had reopened.

    Although the office was looking well set and activities going on smoothly, the workers told our correspondent that thugs last week went away with some television sets and damaged some valuables.

    “Those hoodlums entered, scattered the whole place, damaged our air conditioner outside, forcefully removed one of the television on the slab and smashed it on the floor. We all ran for our lives. The police later came and chased them away.

    “We are back now, activities have commenced, you are safe here,” he said.

    Our reporter saw that the PEP shop and the two MTN offices on Bode Thomas Road were not open. The hoodlums ransacked the place and damaged things in the shops.

    At Shoprite in Surulere, activities have reopened, but our reporter observed that some shops were still locked.

     

  • Xenophobic killings in SA: NANS shuts down MTN, DSTV offices…

    The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), on Thursday shut down MTN and DSTV main offices in Benue in protest of continued killings of Nigerians in South Africa.
    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MTN and DSTV are both South African companies operating in Nigeria.
    NANS Deputy Zonal Coordinator, Zone C, Abah Owoicho who led the protest to shut down the offices also presented a strong worded letter of protest to the organisations.
    The letter was titled: “Position of NANS on Xenophobic Attack on Nigerians in South Africa’’.
    Owiocho said the letter was a condemnation of the years of barbaric killings of Nigerians in South Africa.
    “Since Nigerians living in South Africa cannot enjoy the same peace and support that South African businesses are enjoying here, it is only reasonable to shut down those businesses and their interests until further notice,’’ he said.
    The student leader also frowned at the recent killing of a Nigerian student, Dennis Obiaju, describing it as “barbaric’’.
    “It has become necessary for NANS to rise to the occasion and speak against the killings that have continued with no visible attempt by the South African Government to curb the menace.
    “Our pain is deeply rooted in the peace and patronages your organisations and other South African businesses enjoy in our country while the safety of our citizens and their businesses cannot be guaranteed in South Africa,’’ he said.
    Owoicho said that it was disheartening that South Africans could suddenly forget the big brother role Nigeria played which led to the dismantling of apartheid regime in their country.
    “We also remembered the apartheid struggle, Nigeria was very instrumental to the ending of the policy but today they are paying us with evil.
    “It is very painful to see that Nigeria that supported South Africa to gain independence is not being respected today.
    “We can no longer stand and watch while our citizens are being massacred.
    “We believe that the international community is also watching these developments,’’ he said.
    Ms Vera Ube, MTN Connect Manager in Makurdi, received the protest letter on behalf of MTN.
    She told the students that the management and staff of MTN were not in support of the killings as it had condemned such anti-development actions any time they occurred.
    Ube, however, said she would forward the letter to the appropriate quarters for consideration.
    “It is unfortunate that our people are being killed in South Africa, the management of MTN is not happy and we are not in support of the killings in South Africa.’’

  • News of BBNaija season 4 sets social media buzzing

    Diverse reactions have flooded social media following announcements that the popular Big Brother Naija reality show will return in February.

    The organisers, DStv revealed on Tuesday that the show will take place in Nigeria for the first time since its return.

    The Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr John Ugbe disclosed this at a media briefing held in Lagos on Tuesday.

    According to him, auditions for the show will hold on Feb. 1 and Feb. 2 in eight locations across Nigeria, an increase from previous editions.

    He listed the locations as: Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Warri, Ibadan, Benin and Enugu.

    The first season of the show first aired in 2006.

    Ex-housemate and perennial host, Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will return to host the show.

    DStv also released audition dates and locations across the country.

    Following the announcements, some Nigerians took to social media to share their thoughts on the upcoming season, including important pointers for the organisers to note.

    While a good number are eager to flood the auditions, others want DStv to conduct mental evaluations for intending housemates and also retain current bouquet rates.

    @Ebeychinedumbah said, “Please make sure you do mental evaluation and take youths that have things to offer, like talent.”

    @Moyo_vip said, “Let me start packing my bags. I am going to that house.”

    @Eti_frank said, “I want to go to that house. Guys please remember to vote for me when it’s time.”

    @Ceajay wrote, “Mental evaluation and talents should be top priority please. Can’t deal with toxic entertainment this year.”

    Meanwhile, some were trying to figure out what city the ‘house’ will be located while others want the show to consider more contestants from poor backgrounds.

    @Latchenko tweeted, “#BBNaija announced to be happening in Nigeria and I don’t think Lagos State is one of the places they’d consider. Where do you think they’d use?”

    @Rotana said, “Hope people that don’t have money can participate because it seems like it’s for privileged people alone.”
    @Finesse_couture wrote, “Please select people with low backgrounds, not people born with silver spoons.”
    @Kaonepinkie said, “Please bring back the original voice of Biggie.”

    The 2018 edition was tagged ‘Double Wahala’ and featured 20 housemates drawn across several professions.
    Miracle Ikechukwu, a pilot, won the 45 million worth of prizes including an SUV.

  • Subscription hike: Court rules in CPC, MultiChoice suit today

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja will today (Tuesday) give a ruling on the lawsuit brought before the court by the Consumer Protection Council against MultiChoice Nigeria over the latter’s alleged arbitrary increase in subscription rates payable by consumers of its digital television services.
    The CPC has been making efforts to compel the defendant to reverse the hike in subscription rates announced recently.
    The council, through its director general, CPC, Babatunde Irukera, is asking the court to confirm its earlier order stopping MultiChoice from increasing subscription rates or imposing any extra charges on subscribers.
    MultiChoice had in July announced across-the-board increases on the monthly subscription rates for its DSTV Premium, Compact Plus, Family and Access packages.
    The new rates took effect from August 1, 2018.
    The consumer rights agency had prevailed on the firm to back down on the implementation of the new rates pending the outcome of the litigation.
    MultiChoice had gone ahead to effect the new subscription rates’ regime.
    Following the announcement, Irukera, citing multiple complaints from subscribers and an ongoing investigation into complaints of breaches and poor service delivery, filed a suit against MultiChoice.
    He described the hike in subscription rates as a violation of an agreement earlier reached by both parties.
    The CPC argued that it reached a deal in 2016 with MultiChoice that the firm would hold rates for 24 months.
    In his August 20 ruling, Justice Dimgba stated that the interim injunction restraining MultiChoice Nigeria or its agents and representatives was to halt the continuing implementation of any increase in subscription rates or price review policy imposing increased charges and costs on the subscribers pending the determination of the CPC’s application.
    The firm filed an appeal against the court order and an application for stay of execution pending the hearing of the appeal, arguing that the new rates were justified by free market principles.
    But the CPC maintained that until the court declares otherwise, MultiChoice could not implement any hike in subscription rates in defiance of its agreement with the Federal Government.

  • Court insists Multi Choice obeys order halting DSTV, GOTV tariff increase

    A Federal High Court in Abuja has insisted that its order halting the implementation of the recent price increases announced by digital satellite television services provider, MultiChoice Communications (DSTV) remains.

    Justice Nnamdi Dimgba made the clarification on Tuesday upon complaint by lawyer to the Federal Government, Babatunde Irukera that the company has declined to obey the order made ex-parte on August 20 this year.

    The judge said: “My order is in force. I believe it is in force until it is set aside. My order has to be obeyed. That is my position.”

    The Consumer Protection Council (CPC) sued, on behalf of the Federal Government, challenging the propriety of the latest price increases announced by MultiChoice for its services.

    Details later…

  • Multichoice appeals court order, insists on new tariffs for DSTV, GoTV

    Sequel to a court judgement restraining MultiChoice Nigeria from implementing its proposed increase in subscription fee, the company on said on Friday filed an appeal against the order of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

    But, the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) insists the order of the high court stopping implementation of the new tariffs will subsist till the appeal has been heard and ruling given by the court.

    Recall that Justice Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Abuja issued had on Monday issued an order restraining the cable television broadcasting company, its agents or representatives from going ahead with the increment of subscription rates till further notice.

    The order followed an application filed on behalf of the Nigerian government by the CPC in case No. FHC/ABJ/CS/894 to stop any upward review of subscription fees for DSTV and GoTV services.

    Early last month, MultiChoice Nigeria announced its decision to review upwards the monthly subscription rates for its cable television services, namely DSTV and GoTV, with effect from August 1.

    Under the new price regime, the company said the Premium package subscribers pay about 7.5 per cent more (about N15,800) from about N14,700 every month.

    Also, their Compact Plus customers were to pay N10,650, from N9,900; Compact bouquets N6,800, from N6,300, while the Family package was increased from N3,800 to N4,000, with Access from N1,900 to N2,000.

    However, the Director-General of the CPC, Babatunde Irukera, who led other concerned Nigerians to file the application, said in the statement of claims before the court that the action by Multichoice Nigeria contravened an ongoing investigation.

    Other applicants who signed a nine-paragraphs statement of claims included Abimbola Ojenike, Eme David-Ojugo, Moray Adebayo, Teniola Medupin and Florence Abebe.

    In his ruling on Monday, Justice Dimgba said the interim injunction restraining Multichoice Nigeria or its agents and representatives was to halt its “continuing implementation of any increase in subscription rates or price review policy imposing increased charges and costs on the consumers pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

    Also, Multichoice Nigeria was “restrained from further carrying on or continuing any conduct or activity which interferes with or has effect of circumventing the outcome of ongoing investigations by the CPC into the company’s compliance or non-compliance with the February 16, 2016 order pending the determination of the motion on notice.”

    Regardless, MultiChoice Nigeria in a statement on Friday confirmed it was served with an interim order by the Federal High Court regarding the price adjustment it implemented on August 1, 2018.

  • Court stops DSTV from increasing subscription fees

    A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday restrained Multichoice Nigeria Limited from going ahead with its recent decision to increase the subscription tariffs for DSTV, its satellite cable television service providers.

    The restraining order was issued in respect of Suit No FHC/ABJ/CS/894/18 brought before the court by the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) in the light of the strong public interest raised in the application.

    The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, had granted the authority for the Council to initiate the suit under Section 10 and 16 of the Consumer Protection Council Act, Cap c25, LFN 2004.

    In his order, the judge, Nnamdi Dimgba, said the interim injunction restrains Multichoice Nigeria or its agents and representatives from continuing the implementation of any increase in subscription rates or price review policy imposing increased charges and costs on the consumers pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    Besides, the court also restrained DSTV from further carrying on or continuing any conduct or activity which interferes with or has effect of circumventing the outcome of ongoing investigations by the CPC into the company’s compliance or non-compliance with the February 16, 2016 order pending the determination of the motion on notice.

    In July, MultiChoice Nigeria announced new monthly subscription rates for the DSTV Premium package from N14,700 to N15,800 (about 7.5 per cent) Compact Plus from N9,900 to N10,650; Compact bouquet from N6,300 to N6,800; Family from N3,800 to N4,000, and Access from N1,900 to N2,000.

    The new rates took effect from August 1 this month.

    The application was filed by the CPC on behalf of the federal government, with the Director General of the Council, Babatunde Irukera, leading other concerned Nigerians to appear in court for the case.

    The application was accompanied with a nine-paragraph statement jointly signed by Messrs Irukera, Abimbola Ojenike, Eme David-Ojugo, Moray Adebayo, Teniola Medupin and Florence Abebe.

    The CPC said in the statement that it has constitutional responsibility to protect the welfare and interest of consumers in Nigeria through the instrumentality of the Council.

    In the exercise of its statutory mandate, the Council said it was conducting an investigation into DSTV’s compliance with its orders of February 16, 2016 over alleged unfairness, arbitrariness and excessiveness of pricing and billing systems.

    Besides, the Council said it was also reviewing other emergent issues relating to whether DSTV‘s business practices and specific conducts were in violation of the law with respect to the rights of consumers in Nigeria.

    The Council noted that in the course of its investigation and consultative engagement with the Multichoice Nigeria, DSTV “preemptively and surreptitiously introduced a subscription regime which imposes increased charges and costs on Nigerian Consumers of digital satellite television service with effect from 1st August, 2018”.

    The agency argued that unless the court restrained Multichoice Nigeria, it was afraid DSTV or its representative would continue the implementation of the increased subscription rate.

    The action, it pointed out, was capable of “rendering ineffective and nugatory the on-going regulatory investigation which seeks to prevent continuing exploitation of Nigerian consumers through obnoxious and exploitative billing systems and pricing regimes”.

    “An order of interim injunction restraining the Defendant/Respondent by itself, agents, representatives, affiliates, officers or privies, howsoever described from continuing the implementation of any increased subscription rate or price review policy imposing increased charges and costs on the consumers of Defendant/Respondent’s services pending the determination of the Plaintiff/Applicant’s Motion on Notice for Interlocutory Injunction filed in this suit,” Mr Dimgba said.

    The CPC asked the court to accord the matter accelerated hearing so that the substantive issues raised would be determined and settled definitively and expeditiously.

    Consequently, the court adjourned the case to Tuesday, August 28, for hearing.

    When contacted, the spokesperson of Multichoice Nigeria Limited, Carole Oghuma, promised to send the company’s reaction to the court order. However, at the time of this publication, the response was yet to come in.