FCCPC directs Multichoice to suspend planned 21% tariff hike pending inquiry

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has instructed MultiChoice to retain its existing subscription prices until it concludes its investigation on the Pay-Tv’s proposed tariff hike. The commission’s investigation follows the DStv and GOtv parent company’s decision to adjust prices across boards by March 1. 

In a statement signed by its Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, on Thursday, FCCPC noted that it had granted MultiChoice’s request to postpone its appearance before the commission.

FCCPC had earlier summoned the company to appear on February 27 for an investigative hearing on its scheduled subscription price adjustment.

The regulator has now fixed the rescheduled hearing to March 6, 2025, while it requested the presence of the company’s CEO, relevant officers, and a comprehensive response to the inquiry. 

“As part of this directive, MultiChoice is expressly instructed to maintain the existing price structure as of February 27, 2025, pending the commission’s review and final determination on the matter,” the statement read.

Providing further explanation on its action, the commission said that its decision to halt the adjustment is to prevent consumer exploitation during the investigation time frame. It added that more updates would be available as the investigation gears on.

Technext had earlier reported that MultiChoice is set to increase subscription prices across various packages starting in March 2025. This will see the cost of the DStv Compact bouquet rise from N15,700 to N19,000, representing a 21 per cent increase. The adjustment comes nearly a year after the last price review.

The company attributes the price increase to Nigeria’s economic challenges such as naira depreciation, high energy costs, and inflation which stood at 24.48 per cent as of January 2025. 

“Dear customers, please note that effective from March 1, 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DSTV/GOTV packages. This is to enable us to continue to offer our customers world-class homegrown and international content, delivered through the best technology,” the Dstv/Gotv parent company said in a statement.

Other Dstv bouquets will also be affected. As of next month, the premium package will go for N44,500 The Family package will increase from N9,300 to N11,000, while the Access bouquet will increase to N6,000.

Similarly, GOtv subscribers will see a hike, with the Value package increasing from N3,600 to N3,900, and the Plus package moving from N4,850 to N5,800.

Similar Read: FCCPC summons Multichoice over plan to increase DStv, GOtv subscriptions by 21%.

Multichoice tariff hike: Can FCCPC come to the rescue?

MultiChoice’s proposed subscription increase comes when Nigerians are still struggling to cope with the 50 per cent telecom tariff hike which has seen mobile network operators adjust the cost of voice and data calls.

Also, Nigeria as a whole has been crippled by recent economic decline, continued inflation and naira depreciation. Businesses across various sectors have struggled with the impact of government reforms, such as the removal of fuel subsidies and electricity tariff hikes. As a result, several companies across boards have adjusted their prices.

MultiChoice users would be seeking the face of FCCPC on whether the planned adjustment can be reduced or withdrawn.

In its call for MultiChoice to appear for an investigation, the commission stressed that the recurring unilateral price adjustment raises critical questions on the ethics of fairness, market abuse, and potential anti-competitive practices.

“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,” the commission states.

FCCPC expressed that it is deeply concerned as Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases. It added that the hike comes amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different pricing strategies in other markets, heightening questions about fairness and market abuse.

The regulator warned Multichoice that failure to provide a convincing explanation or any violation of fair market principles could result in penalties, sanctions, or other corrective measures.

Overall, the commission pledged to diligently devise its role as a consumer watchdog in engaging relevant agencies to ensure fair competition and stronger consumer protection in Nigeria’s pay-TV industry and telecom sector.