DSTV: Ripping Off Customers So Much More?

The need for Digital Satellite Television cannot be over-emphasized, but, this need comes at a very steep prices for customers, while many were still battling with the already exorbitant price paid to enjoy this service, South African based Digital Satelite Television Company (DSTV) hit Nigerians below the belt with yet another increase that left hapless Nigerians screaming blue murder and vowing to resist this arbitrary increase amidst the cries for pay-per-view billing. BABAJIDE OKEOWO in this report looks at the instances of the monopoly enjoyed by Cable TV providers, the quality of services rendered and how these companies are bleeding Nigerians to death. Mrs. Iyabo Awe was at work when she got an SMS from her Digital Satelite TV provider, South Africa based Satelite Television provider Multichoice, the parent company of DSTV and GOTV that commencing 1st of April, 2015, there will be a 200 percent increase in the prices of all bouquet of the digital satellite television company. What that means is that the price of the GOTV Plus she normally subscribed to at the rate of N1500 will now go for N1800. She thought it was an April fool gimmick, but, alas, it was not to be. Multichoice had in a statement released on the 26th of February announced a 20 percent increase on all bouquet of DSTV and GOTV to take effect from 1st of April. The statement in part read that ‘Each year we review our fees so we can keep bringing you the latest and greatest in local and international shows and sporting events, and we do it first. Your continued support allows us to develop better products and services and we thank you for your continued support over the last 20 years and look forward to providing you more of the best entertainment’ the statement read. The subscription fee of DStv’s Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Access, Family and Extra View bouquets were are all increased, as is the price for GOTV Plus and GOTV bouquet. The increase sees the DSTV Premium rise to N13, 980 from N11, 650, a N2, 330 increases; while the DSTV Family bouquet rises from N3, 000 to N3, 600, a N600 increase. DSTV Compact Plus subscribers will now pay N9, 420 instead of N7, 850, while DSTV Compact users will pay N6, 000 per month, up from N5, 000. In the same vein, DSTV Access now costs N1800 up from N1, 500, while DSTV Extra View subscribers will no longer pay N1, 800 but N2, 100. For GOTV Plus users, N1, 500 will no longer be sufficient but N1800 will do, while GOTV bouquet users will now pay N1, 200, from N1, 000 Nigerian kicks against price increase Hardly had Multichoice made the announcement of the price increase that litigation started. Two Lagos based legal practitioners, Osasuyi Adebayo and Oluyinka Oyeniji filed a suit before Justice Aneke of a high court in Lagos challenging the increase in price. With the suit number FHC/L/CS/404/2015, Justice Aneke granted an interim order stopping Multichoice from implementing the new price. He also ordered for the suit and the Interim injunction to be published in national newspapers. In the order given, Mr. Aneke ruled: “That an order of interim injunction is hereby granted to the parties to maintain the status quo restraining the 1st defendant (Multichoice/DSTV) from giving effect or enforcing its planned increase in cost of the different classes of viewing or programmes bouquet, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice. “That an order is hereby granted certifying the plaintiffs’ claim as a class action for themselves as individual subscribers, other corporate subscribers, distributors and retailers of the 1st defendants’ services. “That an order is hereby granted restraining any other person whether individual or corporate from instituting any other action as may be related to the action against the defendant to prevent multiplicity of lawsuits pursuant to the appointment of the plaintiffs in the class action but may instead opt in or out of this action.” Aside the litigation, subscribers are waging their own personal war against DSTV with the threat of boycott. According to Mrs. Awe, ‘I am not going to pay this new rate, it is pure extortion’ she said. http://perfectbrandsng.com/dstv-ripping-off-customers-so-much-more/