Multichoice, the parent company of DSTV, has announced a price hike for its services in Nigeria, effective May 1, 202aign, sparking outrage among subscribers who are seeking alternative options for their entertainment and sports fix.
The price hike, which affects all DSTV packages, has seen the premium package increase from N29,500 to N37,000, while the compact+ package has risen from N19,800 to N25,000. The compact package has increased from N12,500 to N15,700, and the confam package has gone up from N7,400 to N9,300.
Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their discontent with the price hike, with some calling for a boycott of DSTV services. Others have begun exploring alternative options, such as Star Times, SLTV, Android TV Box, and FireStick.
Star Times, a Pay-TV company, offers a range of channels, including news, music, movies, and football channels, with a monthly subscription fee of N5,000 to N2,500. The company recently secured the non-exclusive broadcast rights for the Spanish topflight league, LaLiga EA Sports and LaLiga Hypermotion, for the next five seasons.
SLTV, a premier satellite television company, offers over 50 HD channels, including 10 sports channels, with a monthly subscription fee of N5,000 to N2,500. The company boasts of providing premium digital TV content to homes, covering sports, entertainment, and news at affordable prices.
Android TV Box and FireStick are streaming devices that offer access to various streaming services, including Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and HBO Max, with no monthly fee required. Users can stream content to their television, play locally stored files, video games, and more.
Showmax, a streaming service, offers a wide range of TV shows, movies, and documentaries, with a monthly subscription fee of N2,900. The service offers a 14-day free trial and allows users to stream content on multiple devices.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen how many Nigerians will switch to alternative services. However, one thing is clear: the price hike has sparked a search for more affordable options, and the Nigerian entertainment and sports market is about to get a whole lot more competitive.
Industry experts predict that the price hike will lead to a significant loss of subscribers for DSTV, as many Nigerians are already exploring alternative options. “This price hike is coming at a wrong time, when many Nigerians are struggling to make ends meet,” said an industry expert. “DSTV will lose a significant number of subscribers to other services that offer better value for money.”
In response to the backlash, Multichoice Nigeria spokesperson, Caroline Oghuma, said that despite the hike, subscribers can still enjoy their current price for the next year with a “Price Lock” incentive. “With Price Lock, you can continue to pay your current subscription for up to a year, if you pay before your due date, each month,” Oghuma said.
However, many Nigerians are not convinced, and the search for alternative services continues. As one social media user put it, “DSTV has been hiking prices for years, and it’s time to explore other options. I’m switching to Star Times, and I’m not looking back.”