The information that MultiChoice has reversed the increase in its subscription rates for DStv and GOtv packages has been found to be false, instead the cable company has appealed the judgement slamming N150 million fine on her, halt of the subscription increase as well as ordering one month free subscription to customers.
On June 17, an X user @Maritemise_AD posted a purported breakdown of the old and new rates which has been discovered as fake.
The post reads;
“Multichoice succumbs, readjusts subscription for DStv and GOtv. The revised prices are: DStv Premium package: N29,500 (down from N37,000) DStv Compact+ package: N19,800 (down from N25,000) DStv Compact Bouquet: N12,500 (down from N15,700) DStv Confam package: N7,400 (down from N9,300,” the user posted.
“DStv Yanga package: N4,200 (down from N5,100) DStv Padi package: N2,950 (down from N3,600) GOtv subscribers will also benefit from reduced prices: GOtv Super+ package: N12,500 (down from N15,700) GOtv Super package: N7,600 (down from N9,600) GOtv Max package: N5,700 GOtv Joli package: N3,950 GOtv Jinja package: N2,700 (down from N3,300).”
The post has gathered about 841 reposts, 237 quotes, and 1,813 likes.
Another user, @MensahEstherOmo, on the same day, posted that “Dstv and GOTV revert to old subscription rates after losing 8.1m subscribers in two months”.
The post has about 76 reposts, 39 quotes, and 431 likes.
Some other X users also shared the misinformation.
ARE THE REPORTS TRUE?
On April 24, MultiChoice Nigeria announced plans to hike its DStv and GOtv packages.
The pay-TV firm cited the rise in the cost of business operations as the rationale behind the price increase.
Following the upward review, a competition and consumer protection tribunal (CCPT) in Abuja, on April 29, stopped the company from increasing its subscription prices.
The tribunal ruled that MultiChoice is restrained from proceeding with the price adjustment pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed before it.
On June 7, CCPT fined Multichoice N150 million for challenging the court’s jurisdiction.
The tribunal also ordered the company to provide one month of free subscriptions on DStv and GOtv to subscribers.
Multichoice disagreed with the ruling and vowed to appeal.
Contrary to the claims that the company had bowed to the tribunal pressure and reduced its rates, it was observed that this was not the case.
Checks on both GOtv and DStv apps showed that all categories of subscription packages remained the same.
The rates were still retained as announced on April 24.
Several bank apps were also checked and it was seen that prices were still the same.
Caroline Oghuma, public relations manager at MultiChoice Nigeria, also confirmed that there were no price reductions and it was never communicated anywhere or at any time.
“We haven’t reduced subscription prices, but we reduced our decoder prices,” Oghuma said.
“Subscription prices remain as it is, but the decoder prices were reduced from June 1.”
( *The Cable)*