Breaking: MultiChoice Nigeria Slashes Subscription Fees by 50% Amid Regulatory Pressure
In a shocking move, MultiChoice Nigeria, the parent company of popular pay-TV services DStv and GOtv, has announced a 50% reduction in subscription fees for all packages. This dramatic price cut comes on the heels of a pending court case against the company’s CEO, John Ugbe, and other top executives, who are facing allegations of obstructing investigations by the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC).
According to a statement signed by Ugbe, the price reduction is a response to the economic hardship faced by Nigerians. "We want to ensure our customers feel appreciated and have access to the best entertainment every day," the company said. This move is seen as a strategic attempt to appease regulators and win back customers who have been deserting the platform in droves.
The FCCPC had filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria, seeking to arraign Ugbe and other top directors over allegations of obstructing investigations. This development is the latest in a long-standing battle between the regulator and the company over arbitrary price hikes. In May 2025, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed MultiChoice Nigeria’s suit to uphold its latest price increases, handing a significant victory to the FCCPC.
The subscription fee reduction is also a desperate attempt to stem the loss of subscribers. Between March 2023 and March 2025, MultiChoice Nigeria lost a staggering 1.4 million subscribers, largely due to its aggressive price hikes. The company had increased its DStv and GOtv bouquet prices three times within 12 months, starting in April 2023, followed by another hike in November 2023, and a third in April 2024, which took effect on May 1.
As the pay-TV landscape in Nigeria continues to evolve, this dramatic price reduction by MultiChoice Nigeria is a clear indication that the company is feeling the heat from regulators and customers alike. Whether this move will be enough to win back lost subscribers and appease the FCCPC remains to be seen. One thing is certain, however: the days of arbitrary price hikes are behind us, and the era of customer-centric pricing has begun.
