Broadcasting giant MultiChoice Nigeria has chosen not to comment on the recent adjustments to DStv and GOtv subscription prices in Nigeria, despite reports and court orders.
Reports surfaced on Tuesday suggesting that MultiChoice had lowered its subscription rates. This followed a court directive to halt any planned increases in monthly fees.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal in Abuja had ordered MultiChoice to stop its price hike pending the outcome of a lawsuit filed by Festus Onifade, a lawyer from Abuja.
Onifade’s suit argued that the eight-day notice given by MultiChoice for the price increase was insufficient. Despite the court order, MultiChoice proceeded with the price hike, prompting Onifade to file contempt charges against the company.
On June 7, the Tribunal imposed a N150 million fine on MultiChoice for ignoring its order and directed the company to offer Nigerian customers a free one-month subscription to DStv and GOtv packages.
Following this ruling, MultiChoice expressed its intent to appeal the decision, stating its disagreement with the Tribunal’s ruling. Meanwhile, various reports (excluding The PUNCH) claimed that the price reductions were visible on the DStv and GOtv mobile apps and self-service website.
According to these reports, DStv subscribers now pay N29,500 for the Premium package instead of N37,000. The Compact+ package has been reduced to N19,800 from N25,000.
The Compact Bouquet now costs N12,500, down from N15,700. Confam subscribers are paying N7,400 instead of N9,300 per month. Yanga package rates have reverted to N4,200 from N5,100, and Padi subscribers pay N2,950 instead of N3,600.
GOtv subscribers have also seen changes, with the Super+ package returning to N12,500 from N15,700. GOtv Super is now N7,600, down from N9,600. GOtv Max costs N5,700, GOtv Joli N3,950, and GOtv Jinja N2,700.
Despite these reports, MultiChoice declined to confirm or deny the price adjustments. In an email response to PUNCH, the company stated that it would not comment on the Tribunal’s ruling due to the ongoing legal process and its planned appeal.