Connect with us

Broadcasting

Price Increase: We Didn’t Disobey Court Injunction-MultiChoice

Published

on

MultiChoice l.JPG
Kindly share this post

 
Multichoice Nigeria Limited, owners and operators of DStv, has described as inaccurate publications, news reports and commentaries on various media platforms that it disobeyed an interim injunction restraining it from enforcing the increase in subscription rates for its programmes bouquet.

It would be recalled that Justice C.J Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos, had on  April 2,  granted an interim injunction, ordering parties to a suit challenging the new subscription rates announced by MultiChoice to maintain the status quo and restrained MultiChoice from enforcing its planned increase in cost of different classes of viewing or programmes bouquet. 

The court adjourned hearing in the suit till 16 April (yesterday). MultiChoice was served with the orders on 8 April.

According to MultiChoice, as at 2 April, when the Federal High Court granted the orders of interim injunction, the price increase had already taken effect, having commenced on 1 April 2015.

“The status quo as at 2 April 2015 when the order was made was  that the prices had already been increased.

“MultiChoice thus reiterates that it is not in breach of or disobeying the order of interim injunction made by the Federal High Court on 2nd April 2015,” the pay-TV company said in Lagos on Thursday.It added that the contract agreement between MultiChoice and all its subscribers (including the parties who filed the suit under reference), explicitly states that MultiChoice reserves the right to change prices and channels.

This fact, it said, was not disclosed to the court before the orders of interim injunction was obtained.

As a result, MultiChoice’s lawyers, on Thursday, filed processes challenging the court’s jurisdiction to entertain the matter and make the order of interim injunction of 2 April.

The company’s lawyers have similarly filed processes seeking to set aside the interim injunction on several grounds. One of these is whether a court is legally empowered to fix prices for a private concern such as MultiChoice in a free-market economy, the model that exists in the country.

MultiChoice also insists that its challenge of the jurisdiction of the court and the application to set aside the  order make the interim injunction unenforceable until the determination of the court’s jurisdictional competence.

“When the suit came at the Federal High Court on Thursday, our lawyers raised all these issues before the honourable court and the matter was adjourned to 5th May 2015 for hearing of the application challenging jurisdiction of the court,” the company said.

MultiChoice maintains that it notified the general public and DStv subscribers that, with effect from 1 April 2015, it would effect  an increase in prices charged for its services.


Kindly share this post

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek believes that technology makes life more exciting and helps improve the lives of people around Nigeria and indeed the world. So since 2007, we have devoted our energy to independent reportage of technology and how they affect lives.

Broadcasting

What Adekunle Gold’s Support Means for ‘The Gathering on 100

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Popular Nigerian artist Adekunle Gold has lent his support to the growing youth-driven movement behind The Gathering on 100, further amplifying conversations around what is fast becoming one of the most talked-about upcoming experiences among young Nigerians.

What Adekunle Gold’s Support Means for ‘The Gathering on 100

Adekunle Gold

Known for his music and his strong connection with youth culture and evolving creative expression, Adekunle Gold’s involvement signals a deeper alignment between the event and the kind of audience it is attracting, a generation that is bold, expressive, and constantly redefining what community looks like.

While details of his involvement remain understated, his visible support adds a new layer of support and cultural relevance to the movement. In a landscape where attention is currency, endorsements from artists of his stature often act as a signal, drawing more eyes, more curiosity, and ultimately, more participation, but beyond visibility, the significance lies in what it represents.

The new father has, over the years, built a reputation for embracing creativity in its many forms, from music to visual storytelling, fashion, and digital engagement. His brand has consistently resonated with young Nigerians navigating similar spaces of self-expression and identity.

From interactive experiences like live music sessions and open performance moments to fashion runways and content creation spaces, the event is designed to blur the lines between audience and participant. It invites attendees to move beyond observation and become part of the moment.

This is a concept that closely mirrors the kind of cultural shift Adekunle Gold has been part of, one where boundaries between creator and consumer continue to dissolve.

His support also reflects a broader trend within Nigeria’s entertainment industry, where artists are increasingly engaging with youth-led initiatives that go beyond traditional performances. Rather than simply appearing on stage, they are aligning with movements that foster community, creativity, and shared experience.

For fans and attendees, this adds another dimension to what The Gathering on 100 represents.

As registrations increase and conversations expand across social platforms, the movement is gradually taking shape through the collective interest of those drawn to it.

Head to gathering.com to register.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Broadcasting

INEC Warns Broadcasters against Misinformation ahead of 2027 Polls

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Prof. Joash Amupitan, chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), has urged broadcast organisations in Nigeria to exercise greater responsibility in the dissemination of information as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.

INEC Warns Broadcasters against Misinformation ahead of 2027 Polls

Amupitan made the call on Wednesday, while addressing participants at the 81st General Assembly of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), where he highlighted the growing influence of the media in shaping electoral processes.

He noted that the information environment has become increasingly significant in modern elections, warning that the spread of false or misleading information through broadcast channels could undermine public confidence in the electoral system.

According to the INEC chairman, media organisations must ensure strict compliance with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026, particularly those relating to  political broadcasting. Politics

He explained that the law requires equitable access to broadcast platforms for all registered political parties, stressing that fairness in media coverage is essential to maintaining a level playing field during elections.

“With 22 registered political parties, fairness in airtime allocation and coverage is a legal obligation,” Amupitan said.

The INEC chairman also cautioned broadcasters against airing content that contains abusive, inflammatory, or divisive language capable of inciting ethnic, religious, or sectional tensions.

Such broadcasts, he said, could threaten national unity and disrupt the electoral process if not properly managed.

Amupitan further reminded media organisations about the 24-hour cooling-off period mandated by law before election day, during which all political campaigns and advertisements must cease.

He explained that the measure is intended to provide voters with time to reflect on their choices without being influenced by last-minute campaign messaging.

While acknowledging the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression, Amupitan emphasised that the right must be exercised within the limits of the law.

He noted that the airwaves are a public resource and must therefore be used responsibly to ensure fairness, balance, and equal access for all political actors.

The INEC chairman also pointed to the collaborative roles of INEC and the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) in regulating political broadcasting, although he acknowledged that certain challenges persist.

These challenges, he said, include regulatory overlaps, gaps in enforcement, and the increasing convergence of traditional broadcast media with digital platforms, which has made monitoring political communication more complex.

Amupitan also expressed concern over perceived incumbency advantages in state-owned broadcast stations and the growing commercialisation of political airtime, warning that these practices could disadvantage smaller political parties. Politics

To address these concerns, he called for stronger collaboration between regulatory agencies, clearer guidelines on equal access to media platforms, and improved systems for fact-checking and verification.

He also advocated increased transparency in political advertising, including the disclosure of sponsorship and pricing structures.

Amupitan urged broadcasters to prioritise accuracy and professionalism in their operations, encouraging them to verify information before dissemination and play an active role in combating fake news.

He also called on the media to contribute to voter education and civic mobilisation, noting that public participation is vital to strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process.

Reaffirming the commission’s commitment to transparency, the INEC chairman advised media organisations to rely on official INEC communication channels for verified electoral information.

He added that the credibility of the 2027 general elections would depend not only on electoral logistics and technology but also on the integrity of the country’s information environment.


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Broadcasting

Multichoice Bleeds Customers in South Africa, Loses 580,000 Subscribers

Published

on

Kindly share this post

Rising cost of living, currency depreciation, and competition from streaming services have all conspired to see MultiChoice lose 589,000 South African subscribers in its latest financial year.

Multichoice Bleeds Customers in South Africa, Loses 580,000 Subscribers

The decline is across premium, mid-market and mass segments of its operation.

After completing its acquisition of MultiChoice, Canal+ has moved to stabilise the business.

MultiChoice’s new leadership under David Mignot, CEO,  hopes to “stop the bleeding and get back to growth”.

The new leadership has scrapped DStv’s annual price increase and decided to shut down Showmax, the in-house streaming platform that struggled to compete with Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.

Canal+execs have described Showmax as unsuccessful, noting that the difficult transition to online streaming, combined with currency devaluation in Nigeria and power cuts, had hurt MultiChoice’s profitability.

MultiChoice ended 2025 with 14.4 million subscribers across Africa, down from 14.9 million a year earlier, while revenue declined 6 percent to 2.4 billion euros.

 


Kindly share this post
Continue Reading

Trending