Maintain existing tariffs until investigation is concluded — FCCPC orders Multichoice

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has directed MultiChoice Nigeria to halt any increase in its subscription rates until an ongoing investigation into its proposed tariff adjustments is completed.

In a statement issued on Thursday made available to Nigerian NewsDirect, the FCCPC’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Ondaje Ijagwu, confirmed the directive, which follows MultiChoice’s request for an extension regarding its scheduled appearance before the regulatory body.

While the FCCPC has granted the extension, the pay-TV provider is now required to attend a rescheduled investigative hearing on 6 March 2025, where it must present all relevant officials and provide a detailed response to the commission’s inquiries.

As part of the regulatory measures, the commission has ordered MultiChoice to maintain its current pricing structure as of 27 February 2025 until the investigation is concluded. The FCCPC emphasised that the decision is aimed at preventing any potential financial strain on consumers during the review process.

“Pursuant to 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. Maintaining the status quo on pricing is essential to prevent any potential consumer harm during this period,” the FCCPC stated.

The commission had earlier summoned MultiChoice amid concerns over its frequent price adjustments and possible anti-competitive behaviour in Nigeria’s pay-TV market.

Recall the company recently announced that from 1 March 2025, subscription fees for its DStv and GOtv packages would increase due to rising operational costs. Under the planned price changes, DStv Premium would rise to ¦ 44,500, while the Compact+ and Compact packages would increase to ¦ 30,000 and ¦ 19,000, respectively. Meanwhile, GOtv’s Supa Plus plan was set to rise to ¦ 16,800.

The FCCPC’s intervention reflects broader concerns over MultiChoice’s market dominance and the impact of its pricing policies on Nigerian consumers. The commission had previously warned that if MultiChoice failed to provide a satisfactory justification for its price changes or was found in breach of fair market practices, it could face regulatory sanctions or financial penalties.