by Willy Okonji-
LAGOS, Nigeria — Over the past two years, MultiChoice Nigeria’s pay-TV platforms DStv and GOtv have seen a combined exodus of approximately 1.4 million subscribers, company insiders and industry analysts report. This significant downturn coincides with four separate price increases implemented between mid-2023 and mid-2025.
According to data shared by telecommunications analysts, DStv lost close to one million subscribers, while GOtv shed roughly 400,000 users in the period under review. Many former customers cite the repeated tariff adjustments, ranging from package premium surcharges to higher access fees, as the primary driver behind their decision to cancel service.
“Each price adjustment, though modest individually, compounded the overall cost of entertainment and compelled budget-conscious households to explore more affordable alternatives such as over-the-top (OTT) streaming services,” said Chinedu Okafor, a Lagos-based digital media consultant. “The fourth hike earlier this year appears to have been the tipping point for many.”
In response, MultiChoice Nigeria has defended its pricing strategy, emphasizing investments in local content production, network upgrades, and enhanced customer support. A company spokesperson reiterated that “periodic reviews of subscription fees are necessary to sustain quality service and deliver new value to our subscribers.”
As competition from both global streaming giants and homegrown digital platforms intensifies, industry watchers predict that MultiChoice’s subscriber base may continue to decline unless the company revisits its pricing framework or introduces more flexible, lower-cost bundles.
