MultiChoice/DStv: Nigerians react to court order on price hike

Justice C. J. Aneke requested both parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the motion on notice.But for the two cases brought by DSTV subscribers, Osasuyi Adebayo and Oluyinka Oyeniji, against MultiChoice, the increase which was to take effect from April 1, would have seen a 20 percent rise across board on […]

Justice C. J. Aneke requested both parties to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the motion on notice.
But for the two cases brought by DSTV subscribers, Osasuyi Adebayo and Oluyinka Oyeniji, against MultiChoice, the increase which was to take effect from April 1, would have seen a 20 percent rise across board on all the bouquets.
Ajah Amaka via Facebook said: “Was so bitter when I got to a closest MultiChoice office to update my account only to realise the prices had been increased. I asked someone close to me ‘please what services do they render to us in this country that will make one pay for this with a lot of change and queue? Is it these movies and programmes they repeat from time to time or what? Anyway I think we in this country allow something to happen because no matter what Nigerians will pay because there are no other strong ones available. If it were to be people like me, they will go hungry … I think it’s really an issue to look into.Thanks.”
Another, Erdoo Shidoon Aker-kpev, said: “Nigerians should at the very least be allowed to choose which channels suit them and assemble and fashion their bouquets themselves! I understand the Super Sports channels are the most expensive, yet I never watch them but keep paying exorbitantly! I can also do without TELEMUNDO and the likes.”
MultiChoice and MultiChoice Africa, which runs DSTV as a satellite pay-TV service across Africa, hiked its monthly subscriber fees in South Africa and across the rest of the African continent with the increase leading to vocal consumer and subscriber outrage especially in Nigeria and Zambia.
DSTV subscribers in Zambia for instance, saw their monthly subscription fees skyrocket from April with a massive 21 percent, 22 percent, 24 percent and 30 percent for the various DSTV packages.
Justice Aneke had also ordered MultiChoice to publish the details of the case and the interim injunction in national newspapers in Nigeria.
Adebayo and Oyeniji are challenging MultiChoice’s DSTV subscription increases in a first “class action” case.
In a second case, they also want the court to order the  National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to implement ‘pay-per- view’ where DSTV subscribers are allowed to choose only the channels they wish to watch and pay for – something known as an “a la carte” offering in the pay-TV business through a process known as “unbundling.”
The case was adjourned to April 16.