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.