Some Nigerians have berated MultiChoice Group for announcing that its Nigerian unit, MultiChoice Nigeria, lost 243,000 subscribers on its Digital Satellite Television (DStv) and GOtv services in six months.

The South African-owned pay-TV operator had, in its financial results for the period ending September 30 released on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, announced the loss of 243,000 subscribers on its DStv and GOtv.

MultiChoice attributed the decline to Nigeria’s high inflation rate, which has exceeded 30 per cent, resulting in rising costs of food, electricity and fuel, thus causing many customers to unsubscribe.

The company further reported a 566,000-subscriber loss in the Rest of Africa operations over the past six months, with Zambia and Nigeria contributing the largest shares.

The announcement sparked reactions from Nigerians, especially DStv and GOtv subscribers, with many saying that MultiChoice was the cause of its woes.

Some of them, who joined the buzz on social media, said they were no longer interested in subscribing to MultiChoice services because the prices were no longer affordable, considering the current economic situation of the country.

@cashoggy said: “They will still lose more subscribers. Internet and smart TV have rendered Dstv unattractive with their rate.

“Imagine paying 25,700 for a premium subscription when you can surf the internet and watch all the programs for less.”

MultiChoice loses 243,000 Nigerian subscribers in 6 months

Another Nigerian, @ gentle_t said: “Why we dey sub again when 2/4/7, many people are using their phones to watch what they want.”

@realbl stated: MultiChoice lost 243,000 subs because there is Multi-hunger in Nigeria. More so, there are now multiple choices replacing MultiChoice on our tablets when we need to watch soccer.”

@NdubuisiNC noted: “The downfall of this company in Nigeria will be televised and will be sweet to me.

“A company this big can’t improve on their content? Nigerians have cried for years about how boring it is, only football channels are what’s keeping most of us.”

@Jatiti_O wrote: “You people haven’t realized that people don’t watch TV anymore. They go out in the hot Sun to look for money.”

@ribaduabubakar2 said: “I subscribed to another platform and simply ignored them. They kept increasing the price as if someone would die without them. I am willing to give out my decoder and dish for free.”

@ekoh stated: “Not only bad economy but also everyday increase in their monthly tariff. If they want to bounce back, they should cut their subscription price and make it a pay-as-you-go.”

The Star