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Multichoice: A Victim Of Its Own Success? - TV/Movies - Nairaland 40151r

Multichoice: A Victim Of Its Own Success? (19188 Views)

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AnonPoet: 5:28pm On Jun 06
There was a time when DStv felt like a luxury. Growing up, most of us watched NTA, AIT, and local TV stations. Only a few families had access to satellite TV, and they were seen as the well-to-do. No one complained about subscription fees then because it was clearly a service for a market.

But then, MultiChoice decided to do more.

They began investing heavily in Nigeria. Film production, local partnerships, jobs, and eventually launching GOtv, a more affordable option for the mass market. DStv also became more accessible across different income levels. And in doing that, MultiChoice broadened its reach, turned a luxury into a staple, and quietly shifted our expectations.

Now, when they review prices to adjust to the economy, people don’t just react with disappointment. They get angry. Not because the product suddenly lost value, but because we’ve grown entitled to it. It’s hard to it, but the outrage often comes from knowing there’s no real alternative. Piracy exists, so do free streaming apps, but the quality, content, and consistency just don’t compare.

Other platforms have tried. iROKOtv, for example, poured massive resources into building a local streaming service. But even that couldn’t survive the realities of this market, from poor infrastructure to rampant sharing and a general resistance to paying for digital services. Beyond economic hardship, Nigeria remains a tough environment for any subscription-based platform.

So why is MultiChoice the one company that keeps getting singled out? Court battles, regulatory crackdowns, social media dragging. The recent case with the FCC, which the courts dismissed, is just one example. Other sectors quietly adjust prices without scrutiny. From transport fares to food and government services, everything moves with inflation. But DSTV? That gets national attention.

Maybe it’s because they've done too much, for too long, too well.

They’ve created a product so central to daily entertainment that people now treat it like a public utility. You can stop paying for Netflix and move on. But DStv or GOtv? That hits differently. And when prices go up, it stings deeper.

In a way, MultiChoice is suffering for being consistent. And maybe, just maybe, that’s something we need to reflect on too.

27 Likes 2 Shares

Ikaeniyan0: 5:35pm On Jun 06
The only reason I still subscribe is because of premier league and UEFA champions league. In fact, the only time I switch on the TV is when I want to watch football

49 Likes 5 Shares

MMempire(m): 5:36pm On Jun 06
Paid marketer sighted.

198 Likes 10 Shares

SadiqBabaSani: 5:38pm On Jun 06
MMempire:
Paid marketer sighted.
But didn't lie, did he? Where is HiTV and the much touted alternatives, they all faded away

47 Likes 1 Share

Jomonix: 5:51pm On Jun 06
The younger generation don't think much of DSTv. They are the Netflix generation. For me though I am still doing DSTv

21 Likes

dawnomike(m): 5:52pm On Jun 06
Op seems to be right afterall

8 Likes 1 Share

frugal(m): 6:25pm On Jun 06
Jomonix:
The younger generation don't think much of DSTv. They are the Netflix generation. For me though I am still doing DSTv

What do you watch on dstv though? I sold my dish the moment I installed fiber network in my home.

24 Likes

Success957: 6:33pm On Jun 06
I've abandoned my DSTV since 5 years ago, SLTV is the best

31 Likes 2 Shares

Success957: 6:33pm On Jun 06
If you want to know the characteristics of a non living thing, ask a woman to describe what kind of man she wants. What ever she says is your answer

19 Likes 3 Shares

Brendaniel: 6:33pm On Jun 06
It is well

1 Like

Krissjones: 6:33pm On Jun 06
Pure rubbish 🗑 dstv sponsored post.

53 Likes 2 Shares

tuoyoojo(m): 6:34pm On Jun 06
Dstv lost its edge.. aside from showing programs that were not captivating, they were frequently repeating already aired programs.

One major attribute of business that survive in Nigeria is the ability to adapt. There has been this outcry for them to run a pay per view package but they refused to listen. how mtn and econet give a hundred reasons why they couldn't do per sec billing until glo came and scattered the table....imagine if mtn stuck to their guns and still keep per min billing, they would have packed up since na.

Dstv, had it good then because there was no viable alternative but this is no more 2010, the market has shifted, either you adapt or die

73 Likes 3 Shares

whatmoreng: 6:34pm On Jun 06
Nice
Krissjones: 6:34pm On Jun 06
MMempire:
Paid marketer sighted.
I swear. Just wasted my time reading the trash by a paid marketer.

36 Likes 1 Share

Unkindness: 6:34pm On Jun 06
Rfft
Unkindness: 6:35pm On Jun 06
Aiit...🫩
OlaDaviva(m): 6:35pm On Jun 06
Till now they are still the only one controlling our views
Assetosky(m): 6:36pm On Jun 06
frugal:


What do you watch on dstv though? I sold my dish the moment I installed fiber network in my home.

Which one is that?
Ezemarcel(m): 6:36pm On Jun 06
SadiqBabaSani:
But didn't lie, did he? Where is HiTV and the much touted alternatives, they all faded away
DStv fought them

14 Likes

AbujaLagos: 6:37pm On Jun 06
frugal:


What do you watch on dstv though? I sold my dish the moment I installed fiber network in my home.
chairman what's the cost of tye fiber network pls

3 Likes

Mexyz(m): 6:38pm On Jun 06
If multi choice is tired, they should pack their bags and leave Nigeria.
Increasing subscription up to 2 times a year only to be repeating programs/movies for us. The market is here, make your service affordable and see people patronizing you, not exploiting us and trying to play the victim game here.

38 Likes 2 Shares

chigoziri2403(m): 6:38pm On Jun 06
How many hours in a day do one watch dstv
If they don't introduce pay per view, they will sink further
I have long abandoned them,I have a smart tv and can view anything I want, watch all the football ⚽️ on the continent at my convenience

15 Likes 2 Shares

Adewale1603(m): 6:40pm On Jun 06
Nothing do them. It's just the high increase in price of their subscriptions.. let them lower it to the old normal prices or even lesser, and watch people Port back to DStv in multitudes

10 Likes 4 Shares

sniperwolf(m): 6:41pm On Jun 06
DSTV should focus more on their price mechanism instead of feeling threatened

9 Likes

Akfrenzy(m): 6:43pm On Jun 06
grin
Anabosee(m): 6:43pm On Jun 06
I use Netflix and sapa TV, I don't need dstv anymore but I sub yanga package just to entertain visitors for now.

2 Likes

baralatie(m): 6:44pm On Jun 06
dawnomike:
Op seems to be right afterall
airsaylongcome: 6:44pm On Jun 06
Why are they selling to Canal+?

1 Like

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