By March 1, 2025, Nigerian households will once again face a familiar blow; another price increase from Multichoice Nigeria, the operator of DStv and GOtv.
With subscription costs rising by up to 25%, a growing number of customers are questioning how much longer they can keep up.
This isn’t just a routine price adjustment. It’s the third hike in less than two years, and the frustration is palpable. The DStv Compact bouquet will jump from ₦15,700 to ₦19,000, a 25% spike. Compact Plus will cost ₦30,000, up from ₦25,000. Premium subscribers will see their fees soar from ₦37,000 to ₦44,500. GOtv packages follow suit, with similar increases across all tiers.
The reasons are not surprising: inflation, currency devaluation, and rising operational costs. Multichoice says the adjustment is necessary to maintain “world-class home-grown and international content, delivered through the best technology.” But at what cost to the customers?
Last year, the company’s repeated price increases led to a mass exodus. Between April and September 2024, Multichoice lost 243,000 subscribers. Families squeezed by skyrocketing food, fuel, and electricity prices have had to make hard choices and for many, pay-TV is no longer a priority.
But beyond the economic strain, there’s a deeper question: is Multichoice doing enough to keep its customers? With local streaming platforms and more affordable content alternatives on the rise, the company risks alienating its most loyal base.
What’s the solution? Multichoice must rethink its pricing strategy. Tiered content, flexible subscription models, and more affordable packages tailored to Nigeria’s economic realities could help retain customers without sacrificing quality.
The bigger picture is clear. If these hikes continue without a sustainable strategy, Multichoice could face an even greater loss of trust and subscribers. And in a competitive entertainment landscape, that’s a risk they can’t afford to take.
