by Thinus Ferreira
MultiChoice Uganda has announced a big price hike of 6% for DStv Uganda and GOtv Uganda subscribers from September 2021, with the pay-TV operator that says it must increase monthly subscription fees because of the tough economic climate in the country and Uganda's weaker local currency and high inflation that has led to increased content costs and operation costs.
MultiChoice Uganda is hiking its subscription fees similar to MultiChoice Kenya that also announced a price hike for DStv Kenya and GOtv Kenya subscribers from September 2021, as well as MultiChoice Tanzania hiking prices for DStv Tanzania and GOtv Tanzania subscribers.
MultiChoice Ghana is also hiking prices for DStv Ghana and GOtv subscribers in the West Africa country from September by up to over 6%.
MultiChoice Uganda says that its price increase has been approved by the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC).
"MultiChoice Uganda has sought to endeavour that these prices are as low as possible, as well as accessible for Ugandans," says Joan Semanda Kizza, MultiChoice Uganda PR and communication manager.
"The updated fee schedule sees adjustments of an average of 6% for the DStv and GOtv customers. DStv and GOtv acknowledge their Ugandan customers, and consumers in general, remain under extreme pressure and have endeavoured to keep increases below inflation where possible."
"MultiChoice Uganda through its platforms DStv and GOtv has over the past year absorbed increased content costs and foreign exchange impacts, due to high inflation and operation costs while working tirelessly to ensure we provide an unrivalled bouquet of channels to watch and platforms to view them on," says Joan Semanda Kizza.
Colin Asiimwe, MultiChoice Uganda head of marketing, says "When we decide on pricing, we consider our costs like our satellites and distribution equipment; buying shows, movies, and channels; decoders; our infrastructure like playout facilities, monitoring services and customer touchpoints".
"We have structured our packages for affordability so that one package does not subsidize another. The same applies to all our other content. We charge customers on each package with a fair value for the channels they're getting."
"Some channels are superior and carry exclusive, first-run content which is very expensive, which is why specific shows are only included on our slightly higher-priced packages."
DStv Premium in Uganda is increasing from shs227 000 (R951) to shs239 000 (R1002), while DStv Compact Plus is increasing from shs135 000 to shs142 000. DStv Compact's monthly fee is climbing from shs84 000 to shs89 000.
DStv Family is increasing from shs52 000 to shs55 000, and DStv Access now at shs35 000 will cost shs37 000 from September 2021.
