Bothered by the controversies already triggered by the latest announcement by MultiChoice to increase the subscription prices for its DStv and GOtv services effective from March 1 this year, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned the management of company for discussions on the planned subscription price hike.
MultiChoice had on Monday hinted of its plans to review the pay television services up in order to copy with the rising inflation rate in the economy and sustain its operations. For instance, in the notice sent to its subscribers, the company planned to increase in the subscription prices for its DStv Compact package by 21%, which will raise the price from N15,700 to N19,000, effective March 1, 2025.
In its response to the announcement, the FCCPC, in a statement on Tuesday confirmed that Multichoice management had been summoned to attend an investigative hearing on the proposed subscription hike on Thursday, February 27, at its headquarters.
The commission’s Director, Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, expressed the commission’s concern at the rate Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases, adding that the issues related to ongoing unilateral price hikes, potential abuse of market dominance, and perceived anti-competitive practices within the pay TV industry remain undesirable.
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According to him, the invitation of the company to the commission for investigative hearing on the proposed pay TV subscription prices hike is based the powers of the FCCPC, as outlined in sections 32 and 33 of its enabling Act.
The Director stated that if Multichoice failed to provide satisfactory justifications for its actions or is found to be violating fair market principles, the commission would impose regulatory penalties, sanctions, or other corrective measures to protect Nigerian consumers from incessant service providers’ abuses.
