Following announcement by Multichoice, Nigeria’s major Pay TV, to increase its subscription tariff to reflect the 2.5% VAT hike in the country, many Nigerian subscribers have taken to social media to kick against the move.
On January 13th, President Buhari signed the finance bill into law, which includes the increment of Value Added Tax (VAT) from 5% to 7.5%.
Read Also: Nigerians Lament As Buhari Signs Finance Bill, Increases VAT From 5% To 7.5%
In accordance with this, Multichoice had in the first week of May announced to its customers via text messages that it will reflect the 2.5% VAT increase in its tariff, which will be effective from June 1st.
The text message notifying customers of price changes indicates that Premium subscription will rise from N15, 800 to N16, 200; Compact Plus subscribers to pay N10, 925 instead of N10,650. Those on Compact will pay N6,975 as against the previous N6,800.
Furthermore, customers on Confam bouquet will pay N4,615 and not N4,500, while those on Yanga will pay N2,565 as against N2,500 as previous payment. Those on Padi bouquet will pay additional N50 to put the price at N1,850.
Many subscribers of the Pay TV have however bemoaned the hike, saying the increment of tariff is coming at a time when coronavirus pandemic has adversely affected Nigeria’s economy and many are faced with financial challenges.
A Twitter user @DharBluee wrote;
This hard time and lockdown itself has affected lot of business negatively. Why is this people making it tough for people again by increasing their tariff.
Another Twitter user stated;
Aren’t companies supposed to even cut cost for customers this period?
See more reactions below;
It is obvious that Dstv don’t care about Nigerians if they can just increase tariff at this very moment #WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff
#WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff pic.twitter.com/bsf3T3QYdb
— Jesse Coadlas (@coadlas) May 26, 2020
At this tying times DSTV INCREASED TARIFF?
this is inhumane in my point of view…companies are cutting cost for its consumers cus of this pandemic..but rather Dstv chooses to increase tariff #WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff
a chance for @GOtvNg to spike up their games!— Tito💕 (@frank_fale) May 26, 2020
I know Multichoice increased the tariff with a reason best known to them, but I think this shouldn’t be the right time.
This is hard time and the lockdown itself has affected lot of business negatively.
They should do something about it before June 1st.#WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff pic.twitter.com/l1o3KzC2yO
— Best Baba 🇳🇬 (@iambestb) May 26, 2020
This hard time and lockdown itself has affected lot of business negatively.
Why is this people making it tough for people again by increasing their tariff #WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff pic.twitter.com/CFolxSwggS— Blue (Jacuzzi) (@DharBluee) May 26, 2020
We’re in hard times, I don’t think this is the right time for Multichoice to increase tariff plans#WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff pic.twitter.com/9X4n4WXdhb
— The Alexander Experience ✍️ (@MRtim__1911) May 26, 2020
The fact that DStv chose to increase tariffs at this difficult times shows how much they care about Nigerians. #WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff pic.twitter.com/DQO8RdOeH3
— Ivy Queens (@Ivy_queens) May 26, 2020
I still can’t believe it that Gotv/Dstv increased tariff to be effected from 1st of June #WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff pic.twitter.com/HQ3IUC9VZt
— ADDNAD™ ✪ 🍀 (@First_AddNad) May 26, 2020
Some homes are struggling to feed at this difficult times and DStv decides to increase tariff. #WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff pic.twitter.com/s4Ogr3gd8Z
— The Alexander Experience ✍️ (@MRtim__1911) May 26, 2020
I just can’t believe it that Gotv/Dstv increased tariff to be effected from 1st of June #WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff pic.twitter.com/Li7tzsIjfs
— Tomisin Williams™️ (@TomiWilliamsNG) May 26, 2020
Nigerians, get to know that from 1st of June 2020, dstv is now only for the rich citizens and no more for the poor #WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff#WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff pic.twitter.com/ujTOVCpUeO
— The Alexander Experience ✍️ (@MRtim__1911) May 26, 2020
I just can’t believe it that Gotv/Dstv increased tariff to be effected from 1st of June #WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff pic.twitter.com/Li7tzsIjfs
— Tomisin Williams™️ (@TomiWilliamsNG) May 26, 2020
The Nigerians, get to know that from 1st of June 2020, dstv is now only for the rich citizens and no more for the poor. #WhyDSTVIncreaseTariffpic.twitter.com/5dk4IGzwTT
— Tohluhlophe🎀 (@Theteewine) May 26, 2020
The best CSR we can get from Dstv in this pandemic period is a change in tariff and a huge increase #WhyDSTVIncreaseTariff pic.twitter.com/DFImRlaJPR
— Jide! (@aburo_stone_) May 26, 2020
Multichoice has about 13.9 million subscribers across Africa, with Nigeria accounting for 40 per cent of its customers.
