FCCPC Summons Multichoice Over Plans to Hike Subscription Prices

The call came as the broadcaster hiked its DStv premium bouquet to N44,500 from the N37,000 price, subscribers on the Compact+ would start paying N30,000 as against the current fee of N25,000 among others.

According to MultiChoice, the new rates take effect from March 1, 2025.

Now, the consumer rights agency has stepped in and summoned MultiChoice Nigeria and its chief executive to a hearing at the agency’s headquarters on Thursday, February 27.

According to a statement signed by FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, it is deeply concerned over the pay-TV company’s proposal amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different pricing strategies in other markets.

“The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has summoned MultiChoice Nigeria to explain its proposed subscription price increase, set to take effect on March 1, 2025,” a part of the statement on Tuesday evening disclosed.

“Exercising its mandate under Sections 32 and 33 of the FCCPA, the FCCPC directed the Chief Executive Officer of MultiChoice Nigeria to attend an investigative hearing at the Commission’s headquarters on Thursday, February 27, 2025.

“This action follows MultiChoice’s formal notification of the price adjustment, which raises concerns about recurrent unilateral price hikes, potential market dominance abuse, and perceived anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry,” it added.

The FCCPC also promised to “impose regulatory penalties, sanctions, or other corrective measures” on MultiChoice should it “fail to provide satisfactory explanations or be found in violation of fair market principles.”

The agency said this is to “protect Nigerian consumers” and that is it already “engaging the sector regulator and other relevant agencies to ensure fair competition and consumer protection within Nigeria’s broadcasting and digital subscription landscape”.

Multichoice decision to hike its prices comes amid inflationary challenges in core markets.

In Nigeria, a sharp decline in the Naira led to a 32 per cent decline in its Dollar revenue in 2024.

This is as it faced a broader 9 per cent decline in total active subscribers across Africa with subscriber numbers dropping by 13 per cent in Nigeria, Angola, Kenya, and Zambia.