Broadcasting
Multichoice Mute on Threat of Law Suit, Toasts Subscribers

Multichoice, operators of DSTV, the Pay TV service said it cannot immediately comment on threat by some of its aggrieved subscribers to institute a class action suit against it for allegedly burdening them with unfair tariff regime and poor services.
The company also spared kind words for its subscribers and partners saying “we (Multichoice) are a service company and are always on the lookout for how best to enable our customers derive value”
John Ugbe, managing director, Multichoice Nigeria was reacting to the threat of law suit and accusations by some disgruntled subscribers of exploitative and discriminatory tariff unlike what obtains in its home country, South Africa.
Ugbe in an email reply to questions by Nigeria CommunicationsWeek also carpeted the idea of idea of pay-as-you-go tariff system, saying that the Pay TV model does not operate on a “pay-as-you-go” basis.
“Many people confuse “Pay-per-view” which is very common in the US with “Pay as you go”, but they are not the same. Pay-per-view would usually apply to a specific event” Ugbe, said.
On the clamour for Pay as you go tariff regime, he said that “apart from not fully understanding how the Pay TV model works, some people tend to clamour for the so called “pay-as-you -go” perhaps because constant electricity remains a problem in these parts.
If electricity were regular, it is doubtful if such issues would arise from a DStv that avails customers of about 100 different channels; from different movie genres (action, comedy, sci-fi, drama etc) to several Africa Magic channels, world-class documentaries, sports, music, reality shows and so much more”
Ugbe also said that its tariffs in Nigeria are not higher than elsewhere in Africa adding that “this question of tariffs being higher in Nigeria, is simply a myth, which people are unfortunately propagating without bothering to cross-check their facts.
“With due respect, this allegation is baseless. Our tariff in Nigeria is not higher than what obtains in other countries. If you wish you may go to the DStv Africa website to confirm. It has all the tariffs. This is regardless of the fact that operating conditions in Nigeria are not necessarily the same as elsewhere” the Pay TV operator’s boss added.
Nigeria CommunicationsWeek also recalled that some aggrieved subscribers of the company had threatened to institute a class action suit against the company for allegedly burdening them with unfair tariff regime and poor services
Chuks Pinnwa, a lawyer, said a number of the company subscribers are massing against the company and that a class action lawsuit is efficient way to achieve justice for the large number of people.
Pinnwa also berated the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) the apex regulatory body of broadcasting in Nigeria and Consumer Protection Council (CPC) for not doing enough to protect the interest of subscribers.
“In organized societies and even in South Africa where Multichoice came from, there are law and order; we cannot continue to wait for these regulators who are busy doing nothing when Nigerians are subjected to substandard services and world’s most unfriendly tariff” Pinnwa added.
Broadcasting
MTN Launches One TV with Free-to-View, Pay-as-You-Go

MTN Group has begun rolling out MTN One TV, a new entertainment proposition designed to make digital video content more accessible, relevant, and flexible for customers across African markets.

Introduced in line with MTN’s Ambition 2030 strategy, MTN One TV brings together local storytelling, live channels, international programming, and market-specific viewing options tailored to how customers across the continent access and pay for digital entertainment.
The proposition is designed to give customers greater choice in how they watch content, with viewing models that may vary by market and can include free-to-view content, advertising-funded experiences, pay-as-you-watch access, and subscription offerings.
Depending on local availability, customers may also be able to pay through airtime, Mobile Money, and other locally supported payment methods, helping to reduce common barriers to streaming access.
Beyond enhancing customer experiences, MTN One TV creates new opportunities for African creators, broadcasters, advertisers, and ecosystem partners by helping connect content to wider audiences through MTN’s scale across connectivity, payments, and digital services.
By bringing together a broad mix of content experiences under a single proposition, MTN aims to support greater content discovery, broader audience reach, and sustainable growth across Africa’s digital entertainment ecosystem.
Anchored in MTN’s strategic platforms of Connectivity, Fintech, and Digital Infrastructure, MTN One TV forms part of the Group’s broader ambition to build digital experiences that create value for customers while enabling participation and growth across Africa’s digital economy.
“Entertainment is increasingly becoming an important gateway to digital participation,” said Selorm Adadevoh, MTN group chief commercial, strategy and transformation officer.
“Through MTN One TV, we are leveraging the scale of our connectivity, fintech, and digital capabilities to make relevant content more accessible while creating new opportunities for Africa’s creative and digital economies. This is aligned with our ambition to deliver digital solutions for Africa’s progress.”
MTN One TV is being introduced progressively across MTN markets through a phased rollout approach that reflects local market needs, existing services, and partnership opportunities.
Over time, MTN will bring together a combination of video capabilities, content partnerships, and customer experiences under the MTN One TV brand to create a more consistent and scalable entertainment proposition across its footprint.
Through MTN One TV, MTN continues to extend its role beyond connectivity by combining entertainment, payments, and digital services to deliver experiences tailored to the needs of African consumers.
The rollout supports MTN’s Ambition 2030 vision of leading digital solutions for Africa’s progress while expanding access to digital entertainment across the continent.
Broadcasting
IATA Drops Bombshell: Nigeria Among World’s Most Expensive Countries to Run an Airline

International Air Transport Association (IATA) has identified Nigeria as one of the most expensive countries in the world for airline operations, citing high taxes, charges and operational costs that continue to weigh heavily on local carriers.

IATA’s Regional Vice President for Africa and the Middle East, Kamil Al-Awadhi, disclosed this during the association’s Annual General Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro.
Al-Awadhi said that although Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, had been pursuing reforms aimed at improving the aviation sector, airlines operating in the country still faced enormous cost pressures.
According to him, the high-cost operating environment has continued to affect the profitability and competitiveness of Nigerian airlines, making it difficult for the industry to realise its full potential.
He noted that excessive taxes, regulatory charges and other operating expenses remained major obstacles to airline growth across the region, with Nigeria ranking among the most challenging markets from a cost perspective.
Al-Awadhi urged member states of the Economic Community of West African States to adopt a proposed 25 per cent reduction in aviation taxes and charges to ease the burden on airlines and passengers.
According to him, lowering taxes and charges would reduce airfares, stimulate passenger traffic and strengthen the competitiveness of carriers operating within West Africa.
He stressed that a more supportive policy environment was critical to unlocking the economic benefits of aviation, including increased trade, tourism and regional integration.
Industry stakeholders have consistently advocated lower taxes and regulatory fees, arguing that the current cost structure makes air travel less affordable and limits the growth of the sector.
IATA’s latest remarks add to calls for governments in West Africa to implement policies that will promote a more sustainable and competitive aviation industry across the region.
Broadcasting
NASENI Trains 50 Women in Kano on Renewable Energy Technologies Under She-Powers Initiative

The National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI), under the leadership of its Executive Vice Chairman/CEO, Khalil Suleiman Halilu, has trained 50 women in Kano State on inverter and battery technologies through its She-Powers Energy Initiative.

The three-day programme, held at the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano which ended yesterday, was designed to equip participants with practical renewable energy skills, promote women-led enterprises, and enhance sustainable livelihoods.
The initiative forms part of NASENI’s broader commitment to empowering women, creating economic opportunities, and expanding participation in Nigeria’s growing clean energy sector. It also aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by supporting job creation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development.
Through targeted interventions such as the She-Powers Energy Initiative, NASENI continues to demonstrate its commitment to leveraging technology and innovation to improve lives and drive sustainable development across the country.
Photos: Participants at the She-Powers Energy Initiative training organised by the National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) held at the the Technology Incubation Centre, Farm Centre, Kano yesterday.
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