Broadcasting
NANS Gives MultiChoice 7-Day Ultimatum to Reduce Prices of GOtv, DStv Subscriptions

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Zone D (South West) has given a 7-day ultimatum to MultiChoice Nigeria Limited to reverse the prices of its DStv and GOtv packages or risk having all its offices in the region sealed.
The company on March 22 in a statement, announced the increase in its subscription rates, blaming it on the rising inflation and cost of business operations.
It said the new rates would take effect from April 1.
Reacting, John Alao, NANS South-West deputy co-ordinator, and Opeoluwa Awoyinfa, public relations officer (PRO), in a statement urged President Muhammadu Buhari to compel MultiChoice Nigeria to adopt the pay-as-you-view billing system.
The student leaders described the activities of the company as exploitative.
“We hereby give 7 days’ ultimatum to MultiChoice Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) to reverse their plan of increasing their tariffs and also yield to the call of Nigerians and also implementing PAY AS YOU VIEW tariffs or else we shall be left with no other option but to lock up all offices of DSTV until our demands are meant which is the mind of all Nigerians,” a statement by NANS said.
“The Leadership of National Association of Nigerian Students Southwest (Zone D) has taken it upon themselves to influence governmental or private organisations decision and policies at the federal, state and local government Level that may add hardship to Nigerians to what they are presently experiencing,” Awoyinfa was quoted in the statement as saying.
“We are at a time when Nigerians has lost hope and does not know what’s next on the radar.
“Today; we are aware that MultiChoice Digital Satellite has increased their tariffs without considering the standard of living of Nigerians. We have also waited for long to see if this same company will dance to the music of Nigerians who have been clamouring for PAY AS YOU VIEW TARIFF but the reverse is the case.
“This is the time to call on the National Broadcasting Commission to go back to the commission act to regulate the ownership, activities and operations of Direct Broadcast Satellite Service Providers.
“DSTV is one of the leading direct to home service providers in Nigeria since its inception of operation far back 1995 and has also made a lot of profit with over 25 million subscribers which is the largest market for its operations. We want the Federal Government to stampede their proposed plan in tariffs increment and also force them to implement the PAY AS YOU VIEW system.
“It’s obvious that users are being placed on a fixed monthly tariff plan unlike what is obtainable outside Nigeria. The record shows that Nigeria constitutes over 45 percent of DSTV’s global market share; yet over 50 percent of users are not enjoying what they are paying for due to a series of engagements just to make a living and also due to lack of constant power supply.
“We are aware that DSTV operates a system of PAY AS YOU GO tariffs in other countries but chose to be inhumane and has a hatred for Nigerians. As the Leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students in Southwest; we see this to be unfair and sardonic and also an act to keep exploiting Nigerians.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria should as a matter of concern enact a law to compel MultiChoice to introduce PAY AS YOU VIEW billing system which will do nothing but good to Nigerians who are already fed up with the current economy imbroglio. Nigerians are tired of paying for services they did not use.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Coordinator said, “For so long, MultiChoice Digital Satellite Television (DSTV) has ignored complaints by Nigeria user’s and Nigeria Communication Commission have not been showing concern through the Minister for Communication.
“We are ready to take the bull by the horns as Nigerians will not welcome any increment in tariff but the Implementation of PAY AS YOU VIEW tariff by MultiChoice Digital Satellite Television (DSTV).
“We will never allow any policy or decision by any government, private organisations or person that may want to add to the present hardship and hunger already unleashed on Nigerians.
“We also urge and advise the Federal Government of Nigeria through his excellency President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Communications (and Digital Economy) to break the sporting right of MultiChoice as they have done more harm than good to Nigerians. An alternative to this service provider should be made available in the country so that Nigerians can stop being exploited on a daily basis.”
Broadcasting
MultiChoice Reportedly Testing Weekly Subscriptions amid Use Decline

MultiChoice is reportedly testing weekly subscription plans in Uganda, aiming to ease financial pressure on customers struggling with monthly payments.
If successful, the pay-TV giant may expand the model to other African markets as it fights to retain subscribers amid economic challenges, according to the Sunday Times.
The company, which operates in 16 African countries, has seen its subscriber base shrink by 1.2 million in the past year, dropping to 14.5 million.
Half of those losses came from South Africa, where high unemployment and rising living costs have forced households to cut discretionary spending, including DStv subscriptions.
Calvo Mawela, group CEO, MultiChoice, confirmed the weekly subscription trial has been running for seven weeks.
“Within three to six months, we’ll have a good idea if it’s working,” he told the Sunday Times.
“If successful, we’ll expand it to other markets. We believe this approach can help customers in the same way prepaid mobile services revolutionized telecoms.”
MultiChoice faces financial strain from currency depreciation in key markets like Nigeria, Angola, and Ghana, alongside rising inflation.
In South Africa, economic stagnation has further squeezed consumer budgets.
Despite a recent 31% price hike in Nigeria, Mawela remains optimistic, noting that the naira has stabilized and subscriber recovery may follow.
While the new payment option could improve affordability, Mawela dismissed the idea of letting users customize channel bundles, stating, “We still don’t think it works.”
However, MultiChoice is researching tiered packages, including separate sports and entertainment offerings, to boost revenue.
The company is also streamlining costs, targeting R2 billion in savings by 2026 through reduced satellite expenses, better content deals, and fewer decoder subsidies.
As broadband penetration grows, MultiChoice reports a 38% surge in DStv Stream users.
However, its standalone streaming platform, Showmax, has underperformed initial expectations despite a 44% increase in paying subscribers. Mawela admitted the venture’s high costs are unsustainable, prompting talks with partner Comcast NBCUniversal to adjust funding.
“Streaming is the future, but data prices must improve for it to thrive in Africa,” MultiChoice stated.
For now, the company hopes flexible subscriptions and cost controls will stabilize its business as it navigates a tough economic climate.
Broadcasting
Multichoice Nigeria Faces Revenue Decline Amid Economic Challenges

MultiChoice Nigeria’s subscription revenue declined by 44 per cent to $197.74m in the financial year ended March 2025, down from $355.93m recorded in the same period a year earlier, as rising inflation and a worsening economic climate triggered a mass exit of subscribers.
The sharp revenue drop was driven by “sizeable customer losses in Nigeria as high inflation adds more pressure on consumers,” the company said in its latest financial report. Inflation stood at 23.71 per cent in April 2025, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.
The pay-TV provider has lost 1.4 million subscribers in Nigeria since its financial year ended in March 2023.
Nigeria alone accounted for 77 per cent of the 1.8 million subscribers lost across MultiChoice’s Rest of Africa segment, which includes markets such as Kenya, Zambia, and Angola.
Between April and September 2024, the company lost 243,000 subscribers in Nigeria, as macroeconomic and consumer conditions deteriorated further.
At the close of its 2025 fiscal year, MultiChoice reported 14.5 million total subscribers, with 7.5 million of them in RoA. The group attributed part of the overall decline in performance to foreign exchange losses resulting from a 44 per cent depreciation of the naira against the US dollar.
MultiChoice said it incurred foreign exchange losses of $158.19m and managed to remit only $133m from Nigeria at an average exchange rate of N1,589 per dollar, compared to $184m at N1,044 per dollar in the previous year.
“Nigeria’s economic challenges had a significant impact on our Rest of Africa operations, contributing to a 23 per cent drop in RoA subscription revenue to $779.66m,” said Chief Executive Officer, MultiChoice Group, Calvo Mawela.
Total subscription revenue, including South Africa, declined by 11 per cent year-on-year to $2.27bn. Overall group revenue fell nine per cent to $2.87bn, while operating profit declined by 34 per cent to $263.50m. Trading profit dropped by nearly half to $228.14m.
“Our performance reflects both the challenges we’ve faced and the resilience of our teams,” said Mawela. “While macroeconomic pressures and currency volatility have weighed on our results, our disciplined execution, cost management, and investment in new long-term growth opportunities position us well for the future.”
In spite of its declining linear subscriber base, down 2.8 million across two financial years, MultiChoice reported notable growth in its digital and streaming businesses.
DStv Internet revenue rose 85 per cent, KingMakers grew by 76 per cent in constant currency, DStv Stream increased 48 per cent, and Showmax saw a 44 per cent year-on-year rise in active paying customers.
“Our strategy is shaped by developments in our industry, such as changes in technology which are driving shifts in consumer behaviour, as well as the impact of a rise in piracy, streaming services, and social media,” Mawela said.
Broadcasting
LASERC Takes Full Control of Electricity Regulation in Lagos

Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission (LASERC) has issued a new directive establishing a formal regulatory framework for electricity market operations within Lagos.
With the release of Order No. LASERC ORDER/001/2025, the commission finalizes the shift of oversight from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to LASERC, aligning with the Electricity Act 2023 and Lagos State Electricity Law 2024.
Under the new regulations, individuals or entities involved in electricity-related activities in Lagos must obtain a license or permit from LASERC. Licenses issued by other regulatory bodies will no longer be recognized. Unlicensed operators must immediately halt operations and apply for proper authorization to avoid penalties, which include a fine of ₦20 million and additional daily fines of ₦20,000 for continued violations.
LASERC has encouraged entities unsure of their regulatory status to seek clarification to prevent sanctions. Despite the transition, existing national guidelines, including tariff structures, grid codes, and safety regulations, will remain in effect unless amended.
Dr. Fouad Animashaun, CEO and Executive Commissioner of LASERC, emphasized that the order is designed to ensure a secure, efficient, and reliable electricity market in Lagos.
He reiterated the commission’s commitment to global standards and safeguarding the interests of electricity consumers and investors.
This policy marks a significant shift in the state’s power sector and aims to enhance regulatory compliance while ensuring a more structured and effective electricity market.
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