The Federal Government has stepped in to halt a planned price increase by MultiChoice Nigeria, the operator of DStv and GOtv. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has ordered MultiChoice to suspend the price hike, pending an investigation into the company's proposed tariff adjustment.
MultiChoice had announced a price review, set to take effect on March 1, 2025, citing rising costs of delivering premium content. However, the FCCPC has instructed MultiChoice to maintain the existing price structure as of February 27, 2025, until the review is completed.
"The commission is concerned that the proposed price increase may likely infringe on the rights of consumers," said FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Babatunde Irukera. "We will conduct a thorough review to ensure that MultiChoice's pricing is fair and reasonable."
In a move that has been welcomed by many Nigerians, the FCCPC's intervention has sent a strong message that the government is committed to protecting consumers from unfair pricing practices. The decision has also raised questions about the transparency of MultiChoice's pricing model and whether the company is truly passing on the costs of delivering premium content to its subscribers.
The FCCPC has also summoned MultiChoice's CEO to appear before it on March 6, 2025, to provide a comprehensive response to the concerns raised. The commission's move to summon the CEO signifies a serious approach to investigating the price hike and addressing the concerns of Nigerian consumers. This action is likely to be seen as a positive step towards ensuring fair pricing practices in the digital entertainment industry.
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