FCCPC Summons MultiChoice Over Proposed Subscription Price Increase

The FCCPC has summoned MultiChoice Nigeria over its proposed price hike effective March 1. This action stems from concerns regarding repeated price increases and potential anti-competitive behavior. The company must justify the adjustments or face penalties. The price changes for DStv and GOtv packages were announced recently, raising significant amounts for various subscriptions.

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned MultiChoice Nigeria to provide justification for its planned subscription price increase that is set to take effect on March 1. This was articulated by Mr. Ondaje Ijagwu, the Director of Corporate Affairs at FCCPC, in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

The FCCPC has requested the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria to attend an investigative hearing at its headquarters on Thursday. This inquiry arises from the company’s formal notification regarding the price adjustment, which has raised concerns over repeated unilateral increases in subscription fees.

The FCCPC expressed apprehension regarding potential market dominance abuse by MultiChoice and alleged anti-competitive practices within the pay-television sector. “The FCCPC is deeply concerned that Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different pricing strategies in other markets,” Jjagwu remarked.

Furthermore, the FCCPC stated that if MultiChoice fails to demonstrate compliance with fair market principles, the commission may have no choice but to impose regulatory penalties or sanctions to safeguard consumer interests. The FCCPC is actively collaborating with the sector regulator and other relevant agencies to promote fair competition and consumer protection in Nigeria’s broadcasting and digital subscription market.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that MultiChoice announced the proposed price enhancement on February 24, 2025. According to their statement, effective March 1, 2025, subscription fees for the DStv packages will be adjusted, enabling the company to sustain the provision of premium content via advanced technology.

Notably, the DStv Compact package will see an increase from N15,700 to N19,000, Compact Plus from N30,000, and Premium from N44,500. GOtv subscriptions will also rise, with prices increasing from N3,600 to N3,900 and GOtv Plus from N4,850 to N5,800. This latest increase comes approximately one year following the last price revision.

In summary, the FCCPC’s summons of MultiChoice Nigeria is a response to concerns regarding its upcoming subscription price hike. The commission’s investigation seeks to address potential unfair market practices and ensure consumer protection within the broadcasting industry. The impending price adjustments for DStv and GOtv services highlight ongoing challenges in maintaining competitive pricing for subscribers in Nigeria.

Original Source: nannews.ng