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Tag: MultiChoice

  • MultiChoice stock drops by 12% as JP Morgan lowers its rating

    MultiChoice stock drops by 12% as JP Morgan lowers its rating

    The share price of South African pay-TV and technology company MultiChoice has dropped sharply after JP Morgan Chase & Co. lowered its rating.

    At 12:27 GMT, its shares were trading down 11.73% after falling around 12% earlier.

    Reuters says that the trading firm changed the rating of MultiChoice shares from “neutral” to “underweight.”

    This means that the stock isn’t expected to do as well as other stocks in its coverage area in the next six to twelve months, which affects the price of the stock. So, this suggestion means that investors might want to think about selling their shares in the company.

    Casparus Treurnicht, a portfolio manager at Gryphon Asset Management, said that the company was lowered because J.P. Morgan thinks it plans to “throw a lot more money at Showmax than what the market expects.”

    The downgrade had a visible effect on the share price of MultiChoice during the trading session. The stock started at N3907 (ZAR94.76), but by 16:25, it had dropped a lot to N3401 (ZAR82.49), which is a drop of almost 13%.

    Read also: Multichoice Accelerator Programme Expands To Eight New Countries

    JP Morgan share rating reasons

    JP Morgan downgraded MultiChoice because it believed the business would spend more on Showmax than the market expected. MultiChoice invested billions in Showmax to compete with Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Showmax relies on local original material, although Netflix and Amazon Prime Video have been spending considerably on it.

    MultiChoice also had a setback when it was found out that Amazon had hired one of its top leaders to run its business in South Africa. This loss of skill makes people worry about MultiChoice’s ability to stay ahead of the competition.

    MultiChoice recently joined forces with Comcast’s NBCUniversal and Sky to form the new Showmax Group. Its goal was to improve its video streaming services. In this partnership, the Showmax app will be changed to use the same technology as Comcast’s Peacock streaming service, which has more than 20 million users in the US.

    One reason MultiChoice lost R2.9 billion in the financial year that ended in March 2023 was that it put more money into Showmax. This is one reason why the company decided not to pay dividends to its owners.

    The falling share price of MultiChoice and JP Morgan’s downgrade show how hard it will be for the company to survive in the changing pay-TV and streaming industries.

    MultiChoice raises DSTV fees three times in Kenya within a year

    On August 1, 2023, MultiChoice, the Kenyan operator of DStv and GOtv, will raise its prices. The third price adjustment in a year is expected to anger users who are already unhappy with the company’s pricing policy.

    DStv Premium users now pay KES 9900 ($70) per month, up from KES 9500 ($68). Compact Plus members will pay KES 6200 ($44) per month, up from KES 5900 ($42). Family and Access package members will pay KES 1850 ($13) and KES 1300 ($9) each month, up from KES 1750 ($12) and KES 1250 ($8.8), respectively.

    Price changes affect GoTV users too. SUPA will cost KES 1900 ($13.5), up from KES 1750 ($12), and Max will cost KES 1450 ($10.3), up from KES 1350 ($9.6).

    After getting a lot of bad press for a year, MultiChoice raised prices again. Kenya’s MultiChoice has the most sports streaming, so people with DStv can’t watch live games. Kenyan customers are unhappy with the company’s high package prices and frequent price hikes.

    MultiChoice Kenya said that these changes were made because of inflation and the cost of doing business. Customers doubt the reasons.

  • Showmax moves to protect users against cyber attacks

    Showmax moves to protect users against cyber attacks

    A new report from MyBroadBand says that the usernames and passwords for more than 27,000 Showmax accounts have been put online.

    The parent company of Showmax, MultiChoice, has not yet said how the hackers got this information, but they have admitted the attack and said that their cybersecurity team is working on the problem.

    In a blog post, the company said, “Showmax was recently made aware of an external incident in which an unknown party posted a small number of subscriber login details on an illegal website.” As soon as we heard about this, our protection team started looking into it to figure out how big and serious it was.

    As stated in the MyBroadBand report, a detailed analysis of the leaked file shows that it has 27,911 lines, each containing an email address that serves as a username. But it’s worth noticing that the first 100 or so lines seem to have incomplete or cut-off records.

    At first glance, it seems that the leak may have been caused by a brute-force attack that gathered credentials. This is because a lot of the passwords found were considered weak.

    A brute-force attack is when hackers use trial and error to try to guess login information, encryption keys, or hidden personal data.

     “Our first investigation showed that some of our customers’ emails and passwords had been stolen,” the Showmax blog post said.

    This comes a year after Vulnerable pointed out a problem with the login and password recovery pages for Showmax. Their report said that Showmax didn’t have rate-limiting methods. This flaw could risk the site’s users by letting bad people carry out brute-force attacks.

    Read also:-Nigeria blocks 1.2 million cyber-attacks during Presidential elections

    Showmax lacks security

    The WSIS Forum 2023 report cited ECA 2022 research that found cybersecurity in Africa is lacking. This makes the continent more exposed to cyberattacks, which is concerning considering the African digital industry is anticipated to be worth USD 712 billion by 2050.

    In 2023, Kaspersky found that 47% of African systems were infected by malware. Checkpoint Research also found that in the last quarter of 2022, Africa had the most cyberattacks per week, at 1,875 per week.

    These findings highlight the need to overcome Africa’s cybersecurity knowledge gap. African countries have poor cybersecurity disclosure rules, practices, and enforcement.

    Hacking streaming platforms’ user data might have serious effects. Many reasons include:

    Unauthorized access: Showmax’s vulnerability could expose users’ email addresses and passwords. This could lead to account takeovers and subscription misuse.

    Data thefts: Although Showmax confirmed that client financial information was not altered, user data gathered can still be sold on the dark web or used for identity theft, leading to phishing efforts or other crimes targeting impacted users.

    Credential Stuffing Attacks: Two-thirds of users use the same password for multiple accounts, according to Comparitech. Showmax’s data leak may affect others. Many people reuse passwords across online platforms, so if their Showmax password is compromised, it may also give hackers access to their email, social media, and banking accounts.

    Security breaches may tarnish streaming platforms’ reputations. The platform may lose subscribers and unwanted press if users lose trust in its data protection.

    Financial phishing, cyberattacks surge In Kenya and Nigeria

    Cybersecurity and data breaches

    Since a company maintains your data, you could be hacked. However, you can protect yourself and respond quickly to dubious behaviour.

    Use strong and unique passwords. Cyber attackers routinely attempt brute-force assaults. Thus, each online account should have a strong, complex password. Avoid using common passwords or reusing passwords across platforms as much as possible, even though it’s hard to remember them all. You might use a trustworthy password manager to store and manage your passwords.

    Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): 2FA adds more security to online accounts. Use 2FA whenever possible.

    Avoid Phishing: Avoid clicking on questionable advertisements, emails, and links. Before clicking or downloading from untrusted sources, check these.

    Secure Wi-Fi Networks: Did you know hackers can steal Wi-Fi data? Avoid online banking and personal account access on public or unprotected Wi-Fi. VPNs encrypt data. Security improves.

    Educate Yourself: If you spend as much time online researching cybersecurity best practices and trends, you may be able to detect common attack methods like phishing and social engineering.

    African viewers should learn about cybersecurity, security, unique passwords, and password updates from this Showmax issue.

    Showmax ensured consumer privacy and security. The streaming company says: 

    We prioritize client security and privacy. This was an external event, not a Showmax database compromise. We follow privacy laws and are committed to increasing security to protect our customers’ data. We are safeguarding your info. Updates will be provided.

  • Multichoice will raise DStv, GOtv subscriptions on May 1

    Multichoice will raise DStv, GOtv subscriptions on May 1

    The South African media company MultiChoice, which runs DStv and GOtv, recently revealed that subscription rates for its Nigerian audience would go up. The price hike is set to take place on May 1, 2023.

    Nigeria’s subscription rate is up to 16% higher than other African nations. MultiChoice reports increases in Kenya and South Africa. DStv subscription prices rose 5% in Kenya and 3–10% in South Africa.

    Even though the company has given several reasons for the increase, such as economic problems, the rising cost of acquiring material, and inflation, Nigerian subscribers have mixed feelings about this new increase. Many people have shared their dissatisfaction and disappointment on social media sites.

    Some have called for a boycott of the company’s services on social media. Given the nation’s economic situation, others say the increase is unreasonable. Due to high prices, a weakening currency, and rising unemployment, many Nigerians struggle to survive.

    Read also: MultiChoice pushes into streaming as the DSTv model struggles

    All bouquets to be affected 

    The news said that starting May 1, people who pay for the Premium package will have to pay N24,500 instead of N21,000, which is a 16.7% increase. The Compact+ package will cost N14,250 per month, which is a 16.5% increase.

    The company said that people who signed up for the Compact package would pay N10,500 instead of N9,000, which is a 16.7% rise. On the other hand, subscribers to the Confam package will now pay N6,200 instead of N5,300, which is a 17% rise.

    The Yanga and Padi sets from DStv will now cost N3,500 and N2,500, instead of N2,950 and N2,150. The increases are 18.6% and 16.3%.

    The company said it needed to examine prices to keep serving consumers due to economic issues. “MultiChoice acknowledges the difficult economic climate and thus kept the increase at the lowest possible point while ensuring sustainability and provision of quality services,” the company said. 

    MultiChoice Nigeria’s objective is to provide fantastic entertainment to clients. “Our top priority is to meet our customers’ needs,” it continued. 

    The company is proposing a price lock offer to users who renew their subscriptions on time, allowing them to pay previous rates for 12 months if they pay monthly before their subscriptions.

    MultiChoice Acquires the Namola Emergency Assistance App

    MultiChoice Nigeria raising subscription fees

    MultiChoice began operating in Nigeria as a joint venture in the 1990s with a single analogue bouquet of six channels. DStv and GOtv, two of Nigeria’s most popular pay-TV services, provided many Nigerians with access to sports, cinema, and music.

    MultiChoice’s Nigerian path has been arduous. The corporation faced tough competition from NTA and HITV when it entered the Nigerian market. MultiChoice’s larger channel lineup and better picture quality set it apart.

    In Nigeria, MultiChoice has raised its subscription rates multiple times. In 2015, the firm raised all subscription rates by 20%. Subscribers were divided and sued over the change.

    In 2018, MultiChoice raised its prices by 5%. The company said that inflation and the cost of getting material were to blame. Again, subscribers had mixed feelings, with many saying they were unhappy.

    In 2020, the South African streaming service raised prices again, citing the increase in VAT as the reason.

    In April 2022, MultiChoice raised contract prices again, saying that it had to do with the economy. There have been many meetings between the South African company and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to try to find an answer.

    Despite complaints, the number of people who subscribe to MultiChoice is growing all over the country. Users can watch live and on-demand TV on their phones with DStv Now.

  • Multichoice Accelerator Programme Expands To Eight New Countries

    Multichoice Accelerator Programme Expands To Eight New Countries

    Multichoice has announced the addition of eight new countries to its Africa Accelerator Programme.

    According to a Multichoice statement, the countries that will benefit from the program are Ivory Coast, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Zambia, Angola, and Ethiopia.

    The increase suggests that the 2023 program now opens up possibilities for many more small enterprises in Africa’s technology industry

    The program, which began during Global Entrepreneurship Week, aims to give participants the knowledge and exposure needed to secure transformative company finance.

    The Multichoice Africa Accelerator Program was successful as it was able to raise $16 million (USD) in funding for six startup companies in the previous year.

    MultiChoice Group CEO Calvo Mawela said, “We’re really excited to be expanding the MultiChoice Africa Accelerator Programme to more African countries. It’s part of our long-term commitment to growing and multiplying Africa’s technology potential, which is critical to our future growth

    “There is such incredible business talent across Africa, MultiChoice Africa Accelerator is an opportunity for investors and small enterprise to collaborate to multiply the impact of this talent and scale it across Africa.”

    Read also: MultiChoice Maintains Margins Despite Content Cost Normalization

    Participating Procedures For The Accelerator Programme

    The programme concept aims to grow already operating, well-established businesses by bringing in new investors.

    Each nation’s public and private sector partners propose enterprises or entrepreneurs for the MultiChoice Africa Accelerator Program, and 29 start-ups begin an intensive virtual training curriculum.

    This extensive online training program teaches entrepreneurs how to use the media effectively, promote their ventures to investors, write compelling business plans, and what potential investors seek.

    Following the completion of the online training, eleven startups will advance to the final round. In addition, they will participate in a C3 boot camp to learn how to craft their pitch for international investors.

    MultiChoice Acquires the Namola Emergency Assistance App

    Multichoice Accelerator Programme

    The MultiChoice Africa Accelerator Programme is an initiative of the MultiChoice Innovation Fund that was launched in South Africa in the year 2020.

    It is a collaboration between the MultiChoice Innovation Fund and the business incubator Companies Creating Change (C3), which is based in Dubai.

    This programme provides business owners with access to the tools, skills, and financial support necessary to grow their companies.

    Since it was founded, it has been instrumental in the development of twenty new businesses in South Africa

    In order to provide even more assistance to the African mission, MultiChoice has formed a partnership with EOH, a company that is in the business of providing technology services.

    EOH will contribute their expertise, particularly in the areas of technology consulting, development sprints, and technical support.

  • MultiChoice pushes into streaming as the DSTv model struggles

    MultiChoice pushes into streaming as the DSTv model struggles

    In South Africa, DStv, which is owned by MultiChoice, has started offering bundles that include DStv streaming bouquets and unlimited fiber internet at lower prices. This is to get more people to sign up for streaming services.

    The packages, which will only be accessible to streaming subscribers, will cost R699 (about $39) for the Compact package and R999 (about $56) for the Premium package. They include a DStv Compact or Premium subscription, a DStv Streama streaming box, and a 25/10Mbps fiber connection. In collaboration with unidentified fiber network providers, the bundles will be made available.

    MultiChoice recently revealed pricing reductions for its standalone streaming service, which it introduced at the end of 2020, during its annual media showcase event. Its strong drive into streaming looks to be out of need and survival.

    Read also: MultiChoice Acquires the Namola Emergency Assistance App

    DStv Premium subscribers reportedly fell from 2.35 million in 2015 to 1.92 million in 2018 and are now expected to reach 1.4 million by 2022, according to talk. MultiChoice’s most recent annual financial report also shows that sales of Compact and business packages have dropped by 6%.

    The average revenue per user (ARPU) of DSTV has been falling as the number of users has decreased, falling from R317 per month in March 2018 to R269 per month in March 2022 for 90-day active customers.

    MultiChoice new choice

    MultiChoice’s newest bundles seem to be an effort to kill two birds with one stone after realizing that consumers are abandoning its satellite TV offerings: supply customers with fast, inexpensive, uncapped internet and then combine it with customers’ other preferred streaming goods.

    In theory, this seems like a great plan, but it will be hard to tell how well it works over time because MultiChoice doesn’t include streaming data in its financial reports.

    DStv Users in South Africa Can now Access Disney+

    DStv’s nine million South African customers might fuel the country’s battles between fiber network operators as they compete for the DStv subscribers’ business. The company says that users can choose between the top two FNOs in South Africa, Openserve and Vumatel, in order to get the new packages.

    MultiChoice hopes this latest wager pays off since it has few options left. If streaming fails, the company could be bought by Canal+, which has been buying ordinary shares of MultiChoice and now owns 26% of the company.

  • MultiChoice Acquires the Namola Emergency Assistance App

    MultiChoice Acquires the Namola Emergency Assistance App

    MultiChoice is expanding its business beyond the entertainment industry by buying the emergency help mobile app Namola for an amount that has not been made public, The operator, which already owns DStv, is extending its portfolio of offerings by expanding into other routes, and this acquisition is one of the ways it is doing so.

    In a recent presentation at the annual showcase event of the company, CEO Calvo Mawela stated that even though MultiChoice began as a video entertainment business, the company quickly understood that it needed to do more. According to him, domestic safety is one of the many concerns that plague African countries, which is why the Namola app was purchased.

    The emergency response app is MultiChoice’s first business that is not in the entertainment business. It links users who are in need with a network of responders for a variety of different types of emergencies. The app allows users to call the private, public, or medical response team that is vetted and located closest to their current location.

    The app has an SOS button that lets the user describe the situation. The app then sends the user’s geolocation to the most appropriate emergency medical or security staff. Users have access to sensitive emergency services that deal with crime, fire, accidents, and medical emergencies, among other things.

    Read also: MultiChoice Maintains Margins Despite Content Cost Normalization

    As of October 26th, 2022, DStv subscribers can add a subscription to Namola to their regular DStv payment. Users of the pay-TV provider will be required to pay an annual subscription fee that ranges from 29 South African rands ($2) for the solo package to 59 South African rands ($3.30) for the couples’ package and 99 South African rands ($5.6) for the family package.

    Nyiko Shiburi, the CEO of MultiChoice South Africa, said, “Namola is part of our plan to offer a suite of consumer services that meet the needs of our customers and to grow our ecosystem beyond entertainment.”

    When DStv Rewards subscribers register for Namola rewards through the MyDSTV app, they are eligible to get one free month of service for a couple or solo subscription or three free months of service for a family subscription.

    MultiChoice is becoming more diverse

    During the yearly showcase event that the company puts on, some important announcements were made, including the purchase of the Namola app by the pay-TV operator. Also, the company has introduced DStv Internet, a new Internet service provider that will work with Udemy to offer online training.

    MultiChoice also wants to become a major player in Africa in terms of financial technology and services. Mawela further mentioned that 57% of African people had no bank account access.

    “Moving into the realm of financial services presents us with a significant window of opportunity.” We integrate more than 200 different payment points in the many markets we operate in. “If we let our customers choose how to pay, we should see a big jump in sales,” he said.

    The company said it would immediately lower the prices of DStv’s streaming-only package options along with all the other news.

    DStv Users in South Africa Can now Access Disney+

    New payment plan for DSTV users in South Africa

    The pay-TV provider is giving customers who already have a good broadband connection at home an alternative to satellite service. This will keep these customers from paying more money to install a decoder and dish.

    The monthly cost of the Premium streaming-only bundle was reduced from R829 (US$45.89) to R699 (US$38.69) in 2021. On the other hand, as of the most recent announcement made by the corporation, this price will now remain in effect permanently. Here is a list of the new, lower prices for the different ways to stream without a dish in South Africa:

    There is a 16.7% price difference between DStv Premium, which costs R699 (US$38.69) per month, and satellite television, which costs R839 (US$465) per month.

    DStv Compact Plus costs R469 (US$24.96) per month, whereas satellite television costs R549 (US$30.39) per month. This is a 14.6% decrease in cost.

    The monthly cost of DStv Compact is R369 (US$20.43), which is 14% less than the monthly cost of satellite television, which is R429. (US$23.75).

    DStv Family costs R269 (about $14.89) per month, whereas satellite costs R309 (approximately $17.11 per month). This is a saving of 12.9%.

    The monthly cost of DStv Access is R99 (US$5.6), a 17.5% reduction from the monthly cost of satellite, which is R120 (US $6.65).

     

  • MultiChoice Maintains Margins Despite Content Cost Normalization

    MultiChoice Maintains Margins Despite Content Cost Normalization

    A recent financial report released by MultiChoice Group (MCG) reveals that the company’s turnover was negatively affected by the coronavirus lockdown as it was with many other businesses.

    The suspension of live sports has also had a direct impact on subscribers.
    Despite subscriber growth in the mass market and price increases, the company’s revenue rose by 4%, supported by the rebound in advertising revenue and a mere 1% increase in subscription revenue. Live sport and other value-adding initiatives contributed to reducing churn in the premium base.

    The company’s trading profit declined 1% to R11 billion as the ongoing cost-optimisation programme only partially offset consumer pressure in the middle market and the normalization of content costs and sales and marketing expenses.

    CEO of MultiChoice Group, Calvo Phedi Mawela, said in a report; “Reduced losses in the Rest of Africa (RoA), a rebound in advertising revenues and a continued focus on cost containment enabled us to absorb the R1.1 billion impact of a normalisation in content costs as live sport returned and we resumed our local content production post the Covid-19 lockdowns.

    We continued to enhance our video entertainment offering and expanded the variety of services offered to our customers as we grow our entertainment ecosystem.
    MultiChoice Group Report

     

    Read Also : Telkom Reports Decline in Revenue 

     

    The group’s linear pay-TV subscriber base (measured on a 90-day active basis) increased by 900,000 to reach 21.8 million households, comprising 9 million in South Africa and 12.8 million in the rest of Africa. The 5% growth year-on-year (YoY) is subdued due to the tough economic environment and elevated subscriber growth during Covid-19 related lockdowns in the previous year.

    Here are a few highlights from the report:

    ● Revenue: R55.1 billion up 3% (up 7% organic)
    ● Trading profit: stable at R10.3 billion (up 1% organic, due to absorbing cost normalisation)
    ● Core headline earnings: R3.5 billion (up 6% as Forex impact was less negative))
    ● Dividend: R2.5 billion at 565 cents per share (±4% yield)
    The Group pursued its differentiation strategy through local content, stepping up its local content production by 32% YoY to 6 028 hours and bringing its local content library close to 70,000 hours.

    Local content accounted for 47% of total general entertainment content spend and the group remains on track to achieve a target of 50% by 2024.

    “Local content and select sporting events such as the English Premier League, UEFA Champions League, and the 2022 FIFA World Cup will contribute to the growth in linear and streaming services.” said the Group’s CEO.

    Seven major new channels were launched, including two Portuguese-focused channels in Angola and Mozambique. In South Africa, the group’s co-productions such as Reyka and Recipes for Love and Murder were broadcast to critical acclaim and international interest.
    Growth in Connected Video users on the DStv app and Showmax service is outpacing the market, said MultiChoice.

    Paying Showmax subscribers were up 68% YoY, whilst overall monthly online users of the group’s connected video services increased 28% YoY.

    “Returning the Rest of Africa business to profitability in FY23, maintaining strong cash flows to support a healthy balance sheet and pursuing innovative products and services remain key pillars for long term value creation. As a platform of choice, our group will look to further expand our entertainment ecosystem by identifying growth opportunities that leverage our scale and local capabilities,” says Mawela. “We will continue to strive to be a trusted partner for our customers’ ever-evolving needs, enriching their lives by delivering entertainment and relevant consumer services underpinned by technology.”

     

    Future Prospect of MultiChoice Group

    Speaking on its future plans, MultiChoice Group said it will continue to drive the penetration of its video entertainment services across the African continent by offering customers an array of unique and rich media content delivered in a convenient and cost-effective way.

  • FCCPC Investigates MultiChioce Company on Dominance Abuse

    FCCPC Investigates MultiChioce Company on Dominance Abuse

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ( FCCPC ) on Friday 18/3/2022 charged MultChoice Nigeria Limited a subsidiary of MultiChoice Group regarding an allegation of “abuse of dominance”.

    On August 28, 2022, the commission issued a notice of commencement of investigation (NCI) pursuant to Section 157 and 158 of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission Act, 2018 (FCCPC)

    How it started

    In July 2018, MultiChoice Nigeria announced the upward review of the monthly subscription rates for its cable television systems, DSTV and GoTV, with effect from August 1, 2018.

    Over time, the commission received a series of complaints about the service provider, this prompted the investigation in other to gather necessary information about the allegation

    “The commencement of this investigation was prompted by complaints to the
    Commission regarding allegations of abuse of dominant position by MCN.”

    On October 6, 2020, the commission commenced its investigation on MultiChioce Nigeria Limited requesting for information on its Nigerian subscribers’ market share, product price, distribution network, and content source and packaging in the form of relevant statistics; and also data was requested from other sources as well for validation.

    Read Also : Antitrust investigation The EU and UK Investigates Google and Meta for an online Advertising Deal.

    After a series of analyses, the commission sent the details of the finding to MCN
    “The Commission has prepared and delivered a detailed Investigative Report
    to MCN showing its findings with respect to the investigation.”

    FCCPC Verdict

    According to the Memorandum released on Friday 18/3/2022 by NCCPC and signed by Tam Tamunokonbia, the Director of Legal Service, the commission gave its verdict on the matter after much deliberation. It stated.

    THE COMMISSION PURSUANT TO ITS POWERS UNDER THE FCCPA, IN PARTICULAR, BUT NOT LIMITED TO SECTIONS 157, 158, AND 159 (1) (A), NOW HEREBY ORDERS AS FOLLOWS:

    That MultiChoice Nigeria Limited shall:

    1. For the purpose of ensuring that any material changes in key terms with respect
    to value propositions including, but not limited to cost or price, on account of its dominance, and to prevent consumers from being otherwise exploited, including by the conduct of other players in the market, MultiChoice shall introduce additional features prior to any proposed or contemplated changes in terms and conditions as identified in this Order to the extent that such change in price constitutes an increase in what consumers pay, regardless of any value addition. Such features should at a minimum include:

    a. A price lock option that allows subscribers to maintain the same subscription fee for a minimum period of one year subject to a contractual agreement that clearly specifies the applicable terms and conditions. MultiChoice Nigeria shall submit to the Commission a draft of this agreement within seven (7) days of receipt of this Order.

    Read Also : The Bank of Ghana Has Put a Halt to Dash Activities

    b. A better value for money proposition for annual prepayment of subscription, including the ability to suspend subscription at least once every quarter of the year.

    c. Clear communication to each subscriber regarding all channels available within their selected bouquet option. d. Any other value proposition MultiChoice considers appropriate and applicable, subject to adequate engagement with the Commission.

    2. Provide completely toll-free customer service lines which are operational 24 hours daily, and through which consumers may receive support with respect to their use of the services offered by MultiChoice Nigeria. These lines must be toll-free across networks, not only within the same networks as is presently the case. MultiChoice Nigeria must within the time stipulated in the Commission’s Order of February 4, 2022, provide the Commission with a work plan and timeline for the purpose of articulating, and addressing where possible and applicable, any constraints with respect to complying with, and operationalizing this specific Order.

    3. Advertise the existing toll-free customer service lines more frequently and more widely on channels available and under the control of MultiChoice on the DSTV and GOTV platforms. Such advertisement must run on each channel at least daily.

    4. Increase the number of times all subscribers may suspend their subscription up to at least four (4) times annually.

    5. Submit to the Commission a compliance report demonstrating full compliance with the above orders within the time stipulated in the Commission’s Order of February 4, 2022.

    Fines Compelled on MuiltiChoice

    Furthermore, part of the charges includes violation of the order of commission which attracts a fine/ penalty of five million naira (5,000,000) under the FCCPC Administrative Penalties Regulation 2020.
    “TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that in addition to other remedies, a violation of an Order of the Commission attracts a fine/penalty of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira only) under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (Administrative Penalties) Regulations, 2020.”

    What To Know About Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission ( FCCPC )

    The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) is Nigeria’s most prominent competition and consumer protection authority.
    FCCPA was passed in 2018 in order to ensure that all Nigerians have access to safe and affordable products as well as to defend their rights as consumers.

    Read Also : MTN group reaffirms its dedication to Nigeria

     

    About MultiChoice Nigeria Limited

    MultiChoice Nigeria Limited (MCN) is a MultiChoice Group (MCG) subsidiary. MCG operates video-entertainment subscriber platforms in Nigeria, South Africa, and 49 other Sub-Saharan African countries through its subsidiary, MultiChoice Nigeria (MCN), as well as satellite, digital terrestrial television (DTT), over-the-top (OTT), and related video-entertainment services for a monthly subscription fee.