Nigerian court orders MultiChoice to pay R60 000 to and reconnect DStv subscriber wrongfully cut off

Thinus Ferreira

A court in Nigeria has reportedly ordered MultiChoice to pay a DStv subscriber R59 110 (N5 million) for wrongfully cutting his DStv subscription.

A high court in Lagos, Nigeria, ordered MultiChoice Nigeria to pay DStv subscriber Ben Onuora almost R60 000 for cutting him off.

Judge Razak Olukolu in his judgment, found that MultiChoice Nigeria had acted unjustifiably in cutting Ben Onuora's DStv, despite valid proof of payment. MultiChoice Nigeria's actions were described as "wrongful and without lawful course".

Judge Razak Olukolu ruled that MultiChoice Nigeria was in breach of Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) of 2018, as well as 2022's Abuse of Dominance Regulations, as well as section 13 of the Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency Law of 2015.

Judge Razak Olukolu also ordered MultiChoice Nigeria, now under Canal + control. to immediately reconnect Ben Onuora as a DStv subscriber and to extend for free his viewing period for the same period as the entire duration of the wrongful disconnection.

Ben Onuora took MultiChoice Nigeria to court, claiming that the pay-TV operator caused him and his family "emotional anguish and inconvenience".

Nigeria's Data Protection Commission slaps MultiChoice with N766 million fine for allegedly breaking its data protection laws it calls 'patently intrusive and unfair'

by Thinus Ferreira

Nigeria's Data Protection Commission (NDPC) has fined MultiChoice Nigeria N766,242,500 (R8.9 million) for allegedly breaking the struggling West African country's Nigeria Data Protection Act.

Nigeria continues to be a drag on MultiChoice's balance sheet as its most difficult and cumbersome country in Africa to do business in, combined with a constantly worsening economy, rampant inflation, a plunging subscriber base and relentless attacks and court cases trying to shake down the pay-TV operator for money and fines.

In the latest shocker in a string of ongoing Nigerian claims against the company from politicians, official institutions and other industry organisations, the NDPC alleges that MultiChoice Nigeria is guilty of violating DStv Nigeria subscribers' privacy rights and illegally transfered their consumer data across borders and out of Nigeria.

Babatunde Bamigboye, the NDPC head of legal, enforcement and regulations, in a statement says the organisation launched an investigation into MultiChoice Nigeria's consumer data handling and storage in the second quarter of 2024.

"The NDPC found, among other things, that MultiChoice violated the data privacy rights of its subscribers and individuals associated with them who are not necessarily subscribers," Babatunde Bamigboye says.

"The commission also discovered that MultiChoice engaged in the illegal cross-border transfer of personal data belonging to Nigerian data subjects. The depth of data processing by MultiChoice is patently intrusive, unfair, unnecessary, and disproportionate."

"This is a grave affront to the fundamental right to privacy as enshrined in section 37 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria."

The NDPC says it ordered MultiChoice Nigeria to take remedial measures but that it then discovered that MultiChoice Nigeria allegedly failed to fix the problem.

"The commission found the measures undertaken by MultiChoice in this regard unsatisfactory. For want of cooperation, the commission has directed MultiChoice to pay N766,242,500 for violating the Nigeria Data Protection Act."

Dr Vincent Olatunji, NDPC national commissioner, has now ordered an investigation into "all channels through which MultiChoice collects the personal data of Nigerian citizens to ensure compliance".

"Autlet that processes personal data in violation of the NDPA is liable to penalty under the Act," he says in the statement.

Former MultiChoice Nigeria general manager Chris Anaelechi Obasi abducted in traditional kingship fight

by Thinus Ferreira

Nigerian news media reports that Chris Anaelechi Obasi, a former MultiChoice Nigeria general manager, has been abducted from his home on an ongoing kingship fight in the West African country.

Chris Anaelechi Obasi, now the managing director of Zeta-Web, is a former general manager of information technology and facilities at MultiChoice Nigeria.

He was reportedly abducted on Wednesday night, 14 May, from his home in the Graceland Estate in Ajah, Lagos, by unidentified men linked to the Tiger Base unit in Owerri in the Imo State.

His abduction took place two days before a court hearing over a traditional kingship fight in the Eziama Ikeduru Autonomous Community, where Obasi is seen as the "rightful heir".

After the death of his father, Obasi as the only son, is seen as the legitimate successor but rival factions want someone else as ruler.

Lawyer backs off from frivolous MultiChoice Nigeria lawsuit after taking DStv to court over Nigeria price hike

by Thinus Ferreira

The Nigerian lawyer Festus Sanmi Onifade has realised you can't sue a company for increasing its prices and has now backtracked on his frivolous lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria after taking the pay-TV company to court, alleging "unfair price hikes".

Festus Sanmi Onifade has suddenly withdrawn his court case against MultiChoice Nigeria in the Federal High Court in Abuja, Nigeria.

Festus Sanmi Onifade gave no reasons for backtracking on his lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria on 1 March 2025. A court notice posted, only states, "Take notice that the claimant hereby wholly discontinues this suit against the defendants".

MultiChoice Nigeria hiked its subscription fees for Nigeria's DStv customers by a whopping 22% from March - the second massive price hike for the West African country in a year.

That led to Festus Sanmi Onifade running to court to make a lawsuit against MultiChoice Nigeria that as a private commercial company, in a so-called free economy country, simply increased its prices given Nigeria's massive inflation, ongoing naira currency devaluation, and worsening economy.

In addition, Nigeria's consumer protection agency, the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), also dragged MultiChoice Nigeria and CEO John Ugbe to court over its latest DStv price hike.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Nigeria hikes DStv subscription fees for the second time in a year by over 22% from March 2025

ALSO READ: Nigeria's consumer protection agency drags MultiChoice Nigeria and CEO John Ugbe to court for defying order not to implement 22% DStv price hike

Nigeria's consumer protection agency drags MultiChoice Nigeria and CEO John Ugbe to court for defying order not to implement 22% DStv price hike

by Thinus Ferreira

Nigeria's consumer protection agency is dragging MultiChoice Africa's Nigerian division to court over its 22% DStv price hike - MultiChoice Nigeria's second price increase in the struggling West African country in a year.

Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) ordered MultiChoice Nigeria and its CEO John Ugbe to halt the company's 22% price hike that came into effect from March and in late-February was summoned to an "investigative hearing".

Nigeria's FCCPC which hasn't gone after other private commercial companies in Nigeria that have also jacked up its prices due to Nigeria's ongoing worsening economic environment and weakening local currency, in a statement slammed MultiChoice for defying its "order" not to increase its prices.

"MultiChoice Nigeria had been expressly directed by the FCCPC on 27 February 2025 to maintain its current pricing structure for DStv and GOtv pending the conclusion of an examination of its proposed price hike."

"However, despite this directive, the company proceeded with its price increase on 1 March 2025 in clear defiance of the commission’s directive."

"Following this blatant disregard for regulatory oversight, the FCCPC has filed charges against MultiChoice Nigeria and John Ugbe at the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division, on three counts of offences for willfully obstructing the commission's inquiry by implementing a price hike contrary to directives," the FCCPC noted in a statement.

"The commission views MultiChoice’s actions as a deliberate and calculated attempt to undermine regulatory authority, disrupt market fairness, and deny Nigerian consumers the protection afforded under the law."

"By disregarding the FCCPC’s directive and implementing the price hike before appearing before the commission's investigative hearing on 6 March 2025, MultiChoice has not only flouted regulatory processes but also demonstrated a pattern of conduct that undermines consumer rights and fair competition," the FCCPC says.

It's not the first time MultiChoice Nigeria has ignored Nigerian government orders not to go ahead with price increases and not the first time MultiChoice Nigeria has been dragged to court over price increases.

Over the past number of years MultiChoice Nigeria has been singled out several times by Nigerian politicians and agencies over its price hikes.

Yet, numerous private companies trying to do business in Nigeria's struggling economy with rampant inflation have been forced to increase prices for their goods and services regularly.

Besides the FCCPC, Nigeria's House of Representatives also called on MultiChoice not to go through with its latest price hike, passing a resolution during a sitting on Tuesday.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Nigeria hikes DStv subscription fees for the second time in a year by over 22% from March 2025

ALSO READ: Nigeria's consumer protection agency summons MultiChoice Nigeria CEO to explain looming 22% DStv price hike at urgent 'investigative hearing'

Nigeria's consumer protection agency summons MultiChoice Nigeria CEO to explain looming 22% DStv price hike at urgent 'investigative hearing'

by Thinus Ferreira

Nigeria's consumer protection agency is again summoning MultiChoice Nigeria to appear before it to explain why it wants to hike DStv and GOtv monthly subscriber fees in the West African country by up to over 22% from March 2025.

MultiChoice Nigeria just announced that it's doing another shocking price hike in Nigeria from next week - the second in less than a year in the country since it last announced a price increase in May 2024.

Nigeria claims to have a free market economy where private and commercial companies are free to set and charge whatever fees they want for their commercial services and products, and with consumers who are free to either buy or not buy these.

Companies like MultiChoice have been forced to hike prices as Nigeria's deteriorating economy continues to weaken with massive inflation and the ongoing weakening and devaluation of the local Naira currency.

This has forced MultiChoice to keep increasing subscription fees in Nigeria, which MultiChoice Africa has also done in several other African countries, and in several with more than one price increase per year over the past few years.

Now Nigeria's Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) - which has frequently clashed with MultiChoice in the past - has summoned MultiChoice Nigeria's CEO John Ugbe to an urgent hearing on Friday 27 February to "explain" the latest announced DStv price hike at what it calls an "investigative hearing".

In a statement, the FCCPC says the "investigative hearing" follows "MultiChoice's formal notification of the price adjustment, which raises concerns about recurrent unilateral price hikes, potential market dominance abuse, and perceived anti-competitive practices in the pay-TV industry".

"The FCCPC is deeply concerned that Nigerian consumers continue to face frequent price increases amid accusations that MultiChoice applies different pricing strategies in other markets, heightening questions about fairness and market abuse."

The agency notes that "should MultiChoice fail to provide satisfactory explanations or be found in violation of fair market principles, it would impose regulatory penalties, sanctions, or other corrective measures to protect Nigerian consumers".

ALSO READ: MultiChoice Nigeria hikes DStv subscription fees for the second time in a year by over 22% from March 2025

MultiChoice Nigeria hikes DStv subscription fees for the second time in a year by over 22% from March 2025

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Nigeria is once again hiking both monthly DStv and GOtv subscription fees for the second time in a year, with a shocking increase of up to over 22%, in the West African country from March 2025.

Nigeria is MultiChoice's second largest market on the African continent after South Africa.

MultiChoice Nigeria's last DStv price hike was in May 2024.

"Please note that effective 1 March 2025, there will be a price adjustment on all DStv packages. This is to enable us to continue to offer our customers world-class homegrown and international content, delivered through the best technology," MultiChoice Nigeria said in a message sent to customers.

In a press statement MultiChoice Nigeria said "Due to prevalent economic factors leading to increased operational costs, we have unavoidably had to adjust the prices of our DStv and GOtv subscription packages".

"We understand the impact this change may have on our valued partners, and we have only taken this step after careful consideration and in-depth analysis."

From March 2025 DStv Premium is increasing 20.2% from N37,000 to N44,500, with DStv Compact Plus increasing 20% from N25,000 to N30,000, and DStv Compact increasing 21% from N15,700 to N19,000.

DStv Confam will increase a whopping 22.2% from N9,000 to  N11,000, DStv Yanga is increased 17.6% from N5,100 to N6,000, while DStv Padi is increased 22.2% from N3,600 to N4,400.

MultiChoice Nigeria is increasing GOtv by 8.3% from N3,600 to N3,900 and GOtv Plus by 19.5% from N4,850 to N5,800. 

GoTV Max is increased 18% from N7,200 to N8,500 while GOtv Supa is increased 18.7% from N9,600 to N11,400 and GOtv Supa Plus is increasing 7% from N15,700 to N16,800 monthly from March.

GOtv Jolli is increased from N4,850 to N5,800, GOtv Jinja is hiked from N3,300 to N3,900, while GOtv Smallie is increased from N1,575 to N1,900.

Across Africa, MultiChoice is battling slowing subscriber acquisition and subscribers abandoning its pricey pay-TV offering, while the company is the target of an aggressive corporate buyout from France's Canal+.

MultiChoice Africa is having an especially difficult time in African countries outside of South Africa where worsening economic conditions have dampened consumer spending, combined with runaway inflation in several markets like Nigeria, coupled with constantly weakening local currencies like the Naira.

MultiChoice Nigeria allowed to hike DStv subscription fees as lawyer suddenly withdraws Tribunal case.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Nigeria is allowed to hike prices in the country whenever it wants after a lawyer was forced to withdraw the case he brought against the pan-African pay-TV operator in the West African country.

On Monday the Nigerian Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal allowed lawyer Festus Onifade to withdraw the case he brought against MultiChoice Nigeria over price hikes to DStv and GOtv subscriptions in May in the country.

The Tribunal initially fined MultiChoice Nigeria N150 million and ordered MultiChoice to give Nigerians one month free subscriptions. 

MultiChoice Nigeria appealed the fine and the order and the case was postponed to November. Festus Onifade then suddenly decided to withdraw his case.

"The oral application of the claimant to withdraw this suit is hereby granted. No cost is awarded," the Tribunal ruled.

MultiChoice Nigeria doing season 9 of Big Brother Naija from 28 July with housemates competing in pairs as M-Net cuts prize money to N100 million.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Nigeria and M-Net are bringing back Big Brother Naija for a 9th season from 28 July in which contestants called housemates will enter in pairs but MultiChoice Nigeria is reducing the prize money which will go to one winner from N120 million to N100 million (R1.1 million).

Season 9 of Big Brother Naija will run on MultiChoice's DStv for 71 days from 28 July until 6 October and have its debut on all MultiChoice's Africa Magic channels on DStv, after Nigerians had to audition in pairs.

Although housemates will enter Big Brother Naija in pairs, only one person will eventually be the winner. Ebuka Obi-Uchendu will return as the Big Brother Naija host.

The N100 million is N20 million (R223 000) less than the N120 million (R1.3 million) prize money for Big Brother Naija's 8th season in 2023 and with the plunging foreign currency value and rampant inflation in Nigeria, the N100 million is also worth much less than what N100 million could buy just a year ago in the West African country. 

Busola Tejumola, MultiChoice's head of content and West Africa channels, on Tuesday spoke at a media conference in Lagos, Nigeria where she said "The challenging aspect of the show will be that the housemates will be going into the house in pairs and doing some of the house challenges in pairs".

"Everyone curious about the theme should watch out for the premiere on Sunday 28 July. The show holds lots of fun, vibes, emotion, drama, dynamics, and intriguing twists. This innovative format promises to deliver fresh dynamics and unforgettable entertainment."

"We will not be having the head of the house challenge as usual, there will be lots of twists from Big Brother. The pool party and the Saturday night party will be held and the show will air 24 hours."

"After 71 days of game playing, on 6 October a grand total of N100 million worth of cash and a brand new SUV will be won. Our grand prize this year is worth N100 million."

Busola Tejumola failed to explain why MultiChoice Africa reduced the Big Brother Naija prize money amount which is also worth less in buying power this year.

While Big Brother Naija will be broadcast and again be seen on DStv across Africa with an audience wider than just Nigeria, MultiChoice Nigeria didn't bother to alert media elsewhere in Africa and failed to send out any press release or communication on Tuesday to the press in other countries besides Nigeria.

MultiChoice's video streaming service Showmax will once again do The Buzz as an additional content add-on with Toke Makinwa who is set to return as the host of this recap show that will talk about highlights from the reality show.

MultiChoice Nigeria announced a reunion episode for the 8th season of Big Brother Naija that was set for 24 June but MultiChoice Nigeria and M-Net unexpectedly cancelled it and refused to provide any reason.

MultiChoice does 3rd DStv price hike in Nigeria in a year of up to 20% as country's economy and currency continue to tank.

by Thinus Ferreira

As Nigeria's economy and naira currency continue to worsen MultiChoice Nigeria has done a third DStv price hike this year in the troubled West African country.

In MultiChoice's second DStv price hike within 6 months in Nigeria, DStv Premium has been hiked by 20.4% from N24,500 to N29,500, while MultiChoice is making DStv Compact Plus subscribers pay 19.2% more from N16,600 to N19,800. 

DStv Compact subscribers in Nigeria have to pay MultiChoice 19% more, with the package price hiked from N10,500 to N12,500.

MultiChoice has increased the Comfam package by 19.2% from N6,200 to N7,400.

MultiChoice hiked DStv prices in Nigeria in May 2023, and then again in November 2023.

The MultiChoice Group continues to absorb ongoing foreign exchange losses in Nigeria due to its operations there.

MultiChoice Nigeria does another 20% DStv and GOtv price hike - the 3rd price increase this year - from 6 November 2023 as it 'acknowledges the difficult economic climate'.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Nigeria is once again hiking prices of DStv and GOtv subscribers from 6 November, the third shockingly high price hike this year in the West African country after the last extreme increase of up to 22% in monthly subscriber fees that was done in May.

DStv Nigeria sent SMS messages to subscribers' phones and also did an on-screen message through decoders to tell them that it's hiking fees just six months after the last increase in May. 

The new pricing will come into effect from 6 November 2023.

MultiChoice didn't give its customers in Nigeria any reason or explanation for the price hike and only said "MultiChoice acknowledges the difficult economic climate".

DStv Nigeria told subscribers to "please note the following price adjustment".

From 6 November DStv Premium is hiked by 20.4% from N24500 to N29500, while DStv Compact Plus is increased cc% from N16600 to N19800.

DStv Compact is increased 20.4% from N10500 to N12500, while DStv Confam is increased 19.3% from N6200 to N7400. 

DStv Supa is increased to N7600, DStv Max is increased to N5700, DStv Jolli is hiked to N3950, while DStv Jinga is increased to N2700. 

DStv Yanga is getting a 20% price hike from N3500 to N4200.

MultiChoice Nigeria is also hiking the prices of all of the DStv GOtv packages in Nigeria.

Nigerian students rage against MultiChoice Nigeria's 22% price hike, threatens DStv Nigeria with 7-day ultimatum to reverse increase or they will 'lock up' all DStv offices.

by Thinus Ferreira

Furious Nigerian students are raging against MultiChoice Nigeria's 22% price hike from May, with the country's students threatening the private commercial company over the prices it can charge and giving it a 7-day ultimatum to cancel the upcoming price increase or hat they will "lock up all offices of DStv".

This week MultiChoice Nigeria announced another shocking price hike of up to 22% coming into effect from 1 May in the West African country buckling under a worsening economy. 

MultiChoice Nigeria's exorbitant price hike is similar to the 19% price hike this year in neighbouring Ghana, another shocking 10% price hike by MultiChoice Kenya in Kenya just 7 months after the last increase, and another 10% increase by MultiChoice Uganda only 6 months after the last price hike in that country. 

To be fair: MultiChoice's DStv is a so-called luxury service operated by a traditional pay-TV operator - consumers are not forced to pay for it and can cancel it when they don't want to pay for it. 

On the other hand MultiChoice, like any commercial company is free to make its own price for any product or service and potential customers will either buy it or not.

After DStv Nigeria announced that it will be hiking prices from May by up to 22%, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), issued a statement threatening that they will "lock up" all DStv offices across Nigeria unless MultiChoice Nigeria rescinds its announced price hike.

NANS gave MultiChoice Nigeria an ultimatum of 7 days to announce that it won't hike prices before NANS threatens to close the company by locking its offices.

In a statement signed by NANS coordinator, Adejuwon Olatunji, deputy coordinator, Alao John and even NANS public relations officer, Opeoluwa Awoyinfa, NANS threatens MultiChoice with a countrywide office lockdown over its price hike.

"MultiChoice has increased their tariffs without considering the standard of living of Nigerians. We have also waited for long to see if this same company will dance to the music of Nigerians who have been clamouring for pay as you view tariff but the reverse is the case," NANS says in a statement.

"This is the time to call on the National Broadcasting Commission to go back to the commission act to regulate the ownership, activities and operations of direct broadcast satellite service providers."

Erroneously, NANS claims in their statement that "We want the federal government to stampede their proposed plan in tariffs increment and also force them to implement the pay-as-you-view system. We are aware that DStv operates a system of pay-as-you-go tariffs in other countries."

MultiChoice doesn't operate a so-called "pay-as-you-go" system in other African countries.

NANS threatens MultiChoice with an office shutdown, saying "We hereby give 7 days ultimatum to MultiChoice to reverse their plan of increasing their tariffs and also yield to the call of Nigerians and also implementing pay-as-you-view tariffs or else we shall be left with no other option than to lock up all offices of DStv until our demands are met which is the mind of all Nigerians."

ALSO READ: PRICE HIKE. MultiChoice Nigeria hikes DStv prices again from May 2023 by up to 22.2% with cheapest GOtv bouquet seeing biggest price hike.

PRICE HIKE. MultiChoice Nigeria hikes DStv prices again from May 2023 by up to 22.2% with cheapest GOtv bouquet seeing biggest price hike.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Nigeria is doing another price hike for DStv subscribers and GOtv subscribers in Nigeria from May 2023 with increases up to 18.6% as the country battles with runaway inflation.

Shockingly, MultiChoice Nigeria is hitting poorest pay-TV consumers the hardest and with the biggest increase, with GOtv Lite subscribers on the cheapest package, seeing a whopping 22.2% increase from 900 naira to N1 100 from May.

Nigeria is battling a stagnant economy and antagonistic political policies and attacks against multinational companies driving them away, making them reluctant to invest and operate in the country, and making them opt not to consider Nigeria as an investment destination.

Over the past few years, Nigeria's government has become openly hostile towards MultiChoice Nigeria and MultiChoice Africa with an increase in legal against MultiChoice in the country, as well as toxic and damaging utterances by Nigerian politicians and regulators who continue to scapegoat the pay-TV operator.

MultiChoice Nigeria last increased prices in March 2022 and says the latest price increase is "due to the rising costs of business operations" in the West African country.

DStv Nigeria is hiking the DStv Premium subscription fee from N21 000 to N24 000, an increase of 14.3%.

DStv Compact Plus will increase by 16.5% from N14 250 to N16 600.

DStv Compact will increase by 16.6% from N9 000 to 10 500 naira, while DStv Confam subscribers who paid N5 300 will now pay 17% more at the new monthly fee of N6 200.

DStv Yanga is increasing 18.6% from N2 950 to N3 500, and DStv Padi is rising 16.2% from N2 150 to N2500.

For Gotv subscribers the Supa package price is increasing 16.3% from N5 500 to N6 400 while GOtv Max increases 16.8% from N4 150 to N4 850. 

The GOtv Jolli package price in Nigeria will increase 17.8% from N2 800 to N3 300, while GOtv Jinja is increasing 18.4% from N1 900 to N2 250, and GOtv Lite is increasing 22.2% from N900 to N1 100 from May 2023.

ALSO READ: SHOCKER. MultiChoice Kenya does second DStv price hike of up to 10% from April 2023 just 7 months after last fee increase, angry subscribers say they're cancelling and going to streaming.

ALSO READ: Six months after its last increase MultiChoice Uganda does another DStv price hike from April 2023 up to 10.25% as outraged subscribers slam pay-TV operator for 'garbage' content that's 'repeated and super old' .

Nigeria's National Broadcasting Commission orders MultiChoice Nigeria to sublicence some of its DStv channels to Metro Digital that wants SuperSport and English Premier League content.

by Thinus Ferreira

Nigeria's National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has ordered MultiChoice Nigeria to sublicence some of its DStv TV channels to Metro Digital which asked MultiChoice for over 50 of its TV channels, including SuperSport and English Premier League (EPL) content.

In a letter sent on 25 October 2022 to MultiChoice Nigeria CEO John Ugbe, George Obi, NBC head of legal, writes that MultiChoice Nigeria is "hereby directed to comply with the 6th edition of the NBC Code as amended pursuant to Metro Digital's request for channels sublicensing as ordered by the Federal Court of Appeal".

Metro TV has been embroiled in a three year legal tussle with MultiChoice Nigeria to force the pay-TV operator to resell some of its content and TV channels to other operators.

Dr Ifeanyi Nwafor, Metro Digital managing director, says "The growth of the broadcast industry in Nigeria has been limited due to monopolistic practices of the dominant player in the industry. All indigenous companies licensed in the last 20 years did not succeed because of these practices which includes content exclusivity and warehousing".

"The federal government of Nigeria, realising the inherent danger, outlawed foreign and domestic acquisition of contents on the basis of exclusivity, through amendments to the Broadcast Code. Furthermore, licensees and broadcasters are obligated to sublicense channels to other licensees or broadcasters for commercially agreeable fees."

"The end of monopoly in Nigeria's broadcasting industry will enhance competition, innovation and quality of service delivery. The industry will experience rapid growth and consumers will benefit from the competitive pricing that follows."

Ifeanyi Nwafor says it commends the NBC for "repositioning of the industry and ending the monopolistic practices that have held the industry down for a long time".

Ayo Ajala upped as MultiChoice Nigeria chief operating officer.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Nigeria has promoted Ayo Ajala as MultiChoice Nigeria's chief operating officer (COO) from April 2022.

Ayo Ajala who joined MultiChoice Africa in 2004, previously worked at the African pay-TV operator's Africa division in various positions and was group executive head for human resources at MultiChoice Africa since 2019.

MultiChoice Nigeria, in a statement it issued a month and a half after his appointment since April, says Ajo Ajala as MultiChoice Nigeria COO will now "oversee customer functions and the business operations of the Nigeria business and ensure that processes and systems are sufficiently robust to support the company's growth".

"A self-proclaimed people champion, Ajala's knack for understanding people and focusing their strengths where is most suitable, is a critical aspect of his success story, even as he continued to gain cogent and extensive experience in human resource management in particular and the multi-dimensional requirements of business operations on a wider spectrum."

Ayo Ajala has a bachelor's degree in engineering from the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, an MBA from the University of Sunderland and a certificate in human resources development from the Edinburgh Business School.

He also completed the Vision Achievement programme with the Pacific Institute and the Harvard Business Programme with the Naspers Group and recently completed the senior leadership programme at the Duke Business School (Fuqua School of Business).

MultiChoice Nigeria hikes subscription fees of DStv and GOtv over 14% from April 2022, Huriwa group calls increase 'outrageous'.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice Nigeria is once again doing a price hike from April 2022 of DStv and GOtv subscription fees in the West African country blaming Nigeria's inflation rate and business operations becoming more expensive.

"In light of the rising costs of inflation and business operations, we have had to review the price of our packages to keep delighting our customers with great entertainment, anytime and anywhere," MultiChoice Nigeria says in a statement.

"Therefore, from 1 April 2022, a new pricing regime for both our DStv and GOtv packages will be in effect."

DStv Premium is increasing to N21,000 naira (R732) up from N18,400, DStv Compact Plus is increasing to N14,250 (R497) from N12,400, DStv Compact will now cost N9000 (R314) from N7900, Confam is now N5300 (R185) from N4615, Yanga N2950 (R103) from N2565, and Padi N2150 (R75) from N1800.

The DStv Business package will now cost N2669 (R93) and Xtraview and the PVR Access Fee will now be N2900 (R101), up from N2500.

MultiChoice Nigeria is hiking GOtv Max to N4150, GOtv Jolli to N2800, GOtv Jinja to N1900 and will cost GOtv Lite N900.

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (Huriwa) slammed MultiChoice Nigeria's price hike in a statement, saying "The hike in prices of MultiChoice's DStv and GOtv packages in Nigeria is outrageous and should be reversed with immediate alacrity before 1 April 2022".

"It is no longer news that MultiChoice has consistently exploited billions of dollars from Nigerians in the last three decades since its operations in Nigeria in 1993. The South African company has also used unfair competitive strategies to force indigenous Nigerian competitors to close show," Huriwa claimed.

Season 7 of Nigerian Idol adds D'banj and Simi as judges, Obi Asika returning as a judge with IK Osakioduwa back as host.

by Thinus Ferreira

The award-winning entertainer, D'banj and singer-songwriter Simi have been added as judges for the 7th season of Nigerian Idol that will start on 6 February, with IK Osakioduwa back as the host and with Obi Asika returning as a judge.

"We could not think of a better trio to be the season’s judges than Obi Asika, D’banj and Simi," says Dr Busola Tejumola, MultiChoice Nigeria executive head of content for West Africa channels.

"The three of them combined bring decades worth of experience in the music and entertainment business, as well as individual mastery of their crafts. We have no doubt that they will keep the viewers entertained in what will be a spectacular season."

D'banj says "I was out of the country when I found out that I was going to be a judge for this season of Nigerian Idol and I couldn't contain my excitement. I'm coming in with my own strategy so viewers should expect a bang."

Simi says "I've always loved the idea of being a judge and I think it's a fun thing to do. I plan to be very honest and have fun and hopefully gain inspiration from those that come on the show".

Obi Asika says "I will be looking for special talents and new faces this year. I'm also excited to work with the rest of the judges this season, and I will be very fair and real to every contestant just like I was last year."

Kingdom Kroseide won the 6th season of Nigerian Idol, with online and physical auditions that took place in November 2021 for the upcoming 7th season.

MultiChoice to appeal to Federal High Court after losing its Tax Tribunal appeal over Nigeria's claim that pay-TV operator owes it $123.7 million in unpaid tax.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice will now go to court in an escalating row with Nigeria's tax authority after Africa's largest pay-TV operator this week lost its appeal at the West African country's Tax Appeal Tribunal, with Nigeria's tax collector alleging and demanding that MultiChoice owes it a staggering $123.7 million (R1.88 billion) in unpaid tax.

It's one of two tax claims that MultiChoice is involved in in Nigeria.

On Tuesday Nigeria's Tax Appeal Tribunal threw out MultiChoice Africa's appeal brought by MultiChoice Nigeria over allegations that MultiChoice owes $123.7 million in unpaid Value Added Tax (VAT).

Nigeria's Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) slapped MultiChoice with the $123.7 million dodgy "tax backlog" claim, and added another $218 million penalty, bringing the total to $342 million.

Hilariously, Nigeria' Tax Appeal Tribunal, on Tuesday said that it dismissed MultiChoice's appeal because the company failed to comply with the rules of the appeal.

MultiChoice neither deposited money as a bizarre requirement for the appeal to be heard, and MultiChoice then also apparently failed to adhere to "Order 3 Rule 6 of the Tax Appeal Tribunal (Procedure) Rules, 2021" stating that an appellant like MultiChoice must file an affidavit "verifying the payment".

MultiChoice didn't pay a deposit and didn't file an affidavit.

MultiChoice is embroiled in two cases with Nigeria's FIRS - the $342-million case against MultiChoice Africa Holdings, as well as a N1.8-trillion (R68 billion) tax claim against MultiChoice Nigeria.

MultiChoice in a statement slammed the Tax Appeal Tribunal's decision and said that MultiChoice Nigeria will now lodge an appeal against the ruling of the Tax Appeal Tribunal at Nigeria's Federal High Court.

MultiChoice said that the Tax Appeal Tribunal's appeal ruling failed to look at the merits of the pay-TV operator's case.

"MultiChoice Africa Holdings respectfully disagrees with the ruling, which was based on a technicality rather than the merits of the case. Therefore, we will be lodging an appeal at the Federal High Court against the ruling."

"This tax appeal is a separate and distinct matter from the appeal launched by MultiChoice Nigeria (MCN), in which the Tax Appeal Tribunal found in MultiChoice Nigeria's favour last week, allowing it to proceed with that appeal," MultiChoice says.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice's share price falls nearly 8% on Wednesday to 11-month low as Nigeria's shakedown for money from the pay-TV operator continues and country demands MultiChoice pays 50% 'deposit' of R65 billion in dodgy 'tax backlog' claim.

ALSO READ: ALSO READ: Nigeria's revenue service orders banks to immediately freeze MultiChoice Africa's Nigerian bank accounts citing refusal to give access to servers, demands R63 Billion.

MultiChoice either lied then - or is lying now - about the reason why SMS voting was stopped for M-Net West Africa's Big Brother Naija.

by Thinus Ferreira

MultiChoice either lied to the DStv subscribers and Africa's TV industry in July - or is lying now - over why SMS voting was stopped for M-Net West Africa's Big Brother Naija camera-house reality series, having given a different reason a few months ago than the reason suddenly given now.

In July, TVwithThinus specifically asked MultiChoice Africa why SMS voting has been dropped for what was to be the 6th season of Big Brother Nigeria that just concluded with Hazel "Whitemoney" Onou as the winner.

MultiChoice Africa publicists told TVwithThinus very specifically in writing, in response to the media query, that MultiChoice and M-Net decided to do away with SMS voting for the 6th season of Big Brother Naija "in order to make it possible for viewers in countries outside of Nigeria to vote".

That is not the reason that MultiChoice Nigeria and M-Net West Africa are giving now - a reason in October that differs completely with what MultiChoice told the press just 3 months ago.

In a press conference with media following the conclusion of the 6th season, John Ugbe, MultiChoice Nigeria CEO, now says that MultiChoice and M-Net decided to drop SMS voting because the public would use the number of SMS votes to calculate how much money M-Net West Africa and MultiChoice Nigeria had allegedly earned in voting revenue, by multiplying the number of votes with the cost of a SMS vote.

John Ugbe said the public was wrong for trying to calculate Big Brother Naija revenue by tallying up SMS revenue, and that MultiChoice therefore decided to drop SMS voting although it was one of the most popular ways to vote for housemates.

With an SMS that cost N30 naija, previous seasons of Big Brother Naija lured over 100 million SMS votes alone.

"We stopped the SMS voting because it raises an eyebrow whenever we announce the total number of votes received at the end of previous editions," John Ugbe said.

"Whenever we announce the number of votes polled through SMS, viewers are always quick to calculate the cost and gains for organisers, so we decided to stop SMS voting this season."

It's not clear why MultiChoice Africa blatantly lied to the media in July with PR spin, or decided to lie now in October about the reason why MultiChoice and M-Net stopped SMS voting for Big Brother Naija.

John Ugbe said that the 6th season of Big Brother Naija cost N4.3 billion (R158.3 million) to produce and employed 12 000 people. The 12 000 number sounds completely unrealistic and wrong and never appeared on the Big Brother Naija end credit roll.

ALSO READ: Hazel 'Whitemoney' Onou wins season 6 of Big Brother Naija.

ALSO READ: The 6th season of MultiChoice and M-Net West Africa's Big Brother Naija to start with a double-show launch on 24 July after it will run 72 days, drops SMS voting so the rest of Africa can vote.

CORONAVIRUS. M-Net West Africa and MultiChoice Nigeria show callous disregard to enforce mask wearing or social distancing safety protocols at its media event for new Africa Magic series.

by Thinus Ferreira

While the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic rages in the country M-Net West Africa and MultiChoice Nigeria showed a callous disregard to enforce anything like the mandatory requirement for people to wear masks in public or at events in Nigeria, or practising any form of social distancing protocols at its Africa Magic media event.

People keep getting infected and keep dying in Nigeria from Covid-19 as in other African countries.

With the Delta-variant that is now the dominant strain in the West African country, wearing a mask in public or at events is compulsory in Nigeria, where people are also implored by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) to adhere to social and physical distance protocols in public and at events.

While MultiChoice and M-Net do lip-service in public statements to supposedly supporting and adhering to Covid-19 safe protocols, in reality it's very clear that what MultiChoice and M-Net say they do isn't practised or enforced at the pay-TV operator's public and media events with a shocking flouting of Covid-19 safe regulations from Ethiopia to Nigeria, and from Zambia to South Africa.

On Thursday MultiChoice Nigeria and M-Net West Africa in Nigeria held a media event to tell the media more about its 4 upcoming new TV shows like Dilemma and Venge that will start from October on its various Africa Magic channels on DStv.

Tosin Igho (Venge executive producer), Atinuke Babatunde (M-Net channel head for Africa Magic Showcase, Urban & Epic), Busola Tejumola (MultiChoice Nigeria executive head for West Africa content and channels), Uche Ikejimba (Dilemma executive producer) and Mike-Steve Adeleye (head of content for West Africa ) had absolutely no problem to shockingly pose maskless side-by-side at the Africa Magic media event on Thursday.

Meanwhile the media, cast, producers and other guests leisurely packed the inside venue at the Africa Magic event held in Lagos, Nigeria, and crammed close together without masks or any social distancing observed with VJ Adams as the event's host.

Neither the Nigerian media, Africa Magic executives, MultiChoice Nigeria executives, show producers or the actors who attended the event apparently think that they have Covid-19, can get Covid-19, or can infect other people with Covid-19, or that it's necessary to make absolutely sure that people are wearing masks as prescribed and keep their social distance at physical gatherings.

Besides Dilemma and Venge another new show that will start is Music Buzz from Wednesday 6 October on Africa Magic Urban (DStv 153).

Mercy, what's next?, a spin-off of the Mercy & Ike Show, will start on Sunday 10 October on the Africa Magic Showcase (DStv 151) channel. 

The shows Turn Up Friday and Owambe Saturdays also return for new seasons on Friday 29 October and Saturday 30 October to Africa Magic Family (DStv 154).

ALSO READ: CORONAVIRUS. China's StarTimes behaves as if Covid-19 doesn't exist, throws Nigerian launch party in Lagos for new comedy series Okirika. 

ALSO READ: TV CRITIC's NOTEBOOK. Just another white wedding: MultiChoice and M-Net do hollow lip-service and PSAs about Covid-safety - but show DStv subscribers a whole other reality where a coronavirus pandemic apparently doesn't exist.

ALSO READ: SHOCKER. MultiChoice Africa and M-Net claim it's practising and adhering to Covid-19 TV and film production regulations - but shocking photos show a lack of mask wearing and flouting of social distancing on set.