MultiChoice Nigeria has slashed the price of its DStv decoder from ₦20,000 to ₦10,000 to attract more subscribers after losing 1.4 million customers in two years.
This move comes as part of the “We Got You” campaign, which also offers free upgrades to higher subscription packages for loyal customers renewing their plans by July 31, 2025. The company says it wants to make premium content more affordable and diverse, not just focusing on football but also movies, drama, and kids’ shows.
However, MultiChoice’s recent price cuts follow a tough legal fight with Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC). The commission had ordered MultiChoice to stop increasing subscription prices while investigating its hikes. Despite this, MultiChoice went ahead with a 25% price increase in March 2025, leading the FCCPC to file charges against the company and its CEO, John Ugbe, accusing them of ignoring regulatory directives and obstructing the inquiry.
MultiChoice challenged the FCCPC’s authority in court, arguing Nigeria’s free market allows it to set prices based on business needs. But the court dismissed MultiChoice’s suit, saying the FCCPC must follow proper investigation procedures before imposing restrictions. The legal tussle highlights tensions between consumer protection efforts and business survival amid Nigeria’s tough economic conditions.
With inflation, power issues, and fuel scarcity affecting costs, MultiChoice says the price hikes were necessary. Now, the company hopes the new decoder price and subscription offers will win back customers and keep its services competitive in Nigeria’s pay-TV market.
