bolaayenimo:
Temidayo Akinsuyi, Lagos



https://www.independent.ng/fg-asks-multichoice-to-suspend-price-increase/

It is quite embarrassing that in an economy that is deemed to be liberal, the Federal Government has asked a private firm to suspend a planned upward review of prices.

But it is still this same government that raised VAT rate from 5% to 7.5% in the name of making more money and expanding the tax rate in 2019 when businesses were facing tough times. It is still this same FG that approved the increase in electricity rate earlier this year until the intervention of the National Assembly.

Again, it was the same FG that sanctioned 100% increment in train fares on the Abuja-Kaduna route and openly approved FAAN hike in Passenger Service Charge by 100% in this same period of the COVID-19 pandemic in the name of financial difficulties and the need to improve operational efficiency.

Now, if the APC-led FG could do all these, particularly the last aforementioned point in the period of a pandemic, is it not hypocritical for it to now ask private firms like MultiChoice which are gruelling under the harsh business environment not to take decisions that will boost their business fortunes?

If the PTF on COVID-19 could brazenly say that it cannot control the price determined by road transporters and airlines since the pandemic began, why does it now want to control the price of pay-TV, which is not an essential need like transport?

Food for thought!

NBC doesn't have the right to determine sub-licensing fees for pay-tv contents to 3rd parties. The market should be left to determine that.

https://www.newsbreak.ng/new-nbc-code-will-kill-pay-tv-industry-irokotv-boss/

VAT affects all goods and services
https://www.thecable.ng/pay-tv-time-for-pay-per-view

Karlifate:

Nigerians will adjust to the changes & folks that can't afford it will find an alternative.

VAT increase has affected costs of all goods and services. Also that the power companies already did so from March.

MCN bore the burden for four months. It can't and shouldn't pay vat on behalf of subscribers. Vat collected isn't part of its turnover. It simply collects for remittance to the government

edoairways:

Put the blame on VAT increase not multichoice

MCN bore the burden for four months. It can't and shouldn't pay vat on behalf of subscribers. Vat collected isn't part of its turnover. It simply collects for remittance to the government

Karlifate:
Multichoice is increasing tariffs in this period where people are losing their jobs left & right.
Las las, pipu wey go pay am, go pay am.

Why should we? Who should pay vat? The consumer or service provider?

edoairways:

Most Nigerians can only bark but don't bite. Na pastor dem body to dey abuse

There is no pay per view even in SA. What you have is paying for few channels airing special events like in boxing, and so on

Mandrake20:

if i no come get gen? besides i feel it should be pay as u use becos prsn no fit glue eye to movie & programs 2/7

What is evil in giving facts? This is common sense bro. MCN bore the burden for four months. It can't and shouldn't pay vat on behalf of subscribers. Vat collected isn't part of its turnover. It simply collects for remittance to the government

HeadShot:


See them.... Shameless things..
Defending evil only makes people see you for what you truly are...

Imagine paying for a month subscription and your street transformer goes off for two weeks..

Everywhere its pay as you use.. Except in this hell hole full of evil doers... Spits

DStv didn't increase any subs. The FG increased VAT. You don't expect MultiChoice to pay for this. VAT is paid by consumers. MultiChoice only collects vat on behalf of government. Read more about VAT sir.

LOVEGINO:
very useless including myself.

Note that the increase on the fattest dstv bouquets is on account of 2.5per cent hike in VAT, which MCN bore for 4 months. The new bouquets are new bouquets and they offer more in terms of movies, series, news and general entertainment

ProsperChild:

https://www.sunnewsonline.com/nigerians-groan-protest-dstv-gotv-tariff-increase/

[quote author=EngrKem post

Will Igbo singer give money to South East to build bridges? What will you? Why can't just pursue meaningful issues?

Na wa o. FIRS doesn't entertain but is only mandated to collect revenue on behalf of the government. Why would any region feel they are being cheated for not invited to sing? Na who be ss or se?

What is the business of cpc with the way private companies run their businesses? Or is multchoice owned by the Federal government?

CPC should please help Nigerians by prevailing on Electric Distribution companies to reduce charges.

dynamofizzoggs:
PayTV is a luxury, if you cannot afford it, settle for what you can. You can either sleep in a 7 star, 5 star or 2 star hotel. Nigerians like going for what they cannot afford. Live within your means and leave DStv alone. Their customers have already made payment; im sure some paid in advance sef... If you cannot enter Uber, take Moluee!

This is good news. Live it.. Love it

Are you watching #GOtvBoxingNight? Please do. Na who bam bam epp?

Opinion: TSTV: Nigeria Or Not, We Won’t Settle For Less

By Festus Igeniwari

The very instant I saw TSTV’s claims, I knew something wasn’t right. And I maintain that the PayTV industry in Nigeria is a level-playing field for everyone serious and capable enough to offer Nigerians the best value for money in world-class content.

First of all, it is important Nigerians realize that – as a rule – you don’t start off a marathon by sprinting; and when a claim sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

While I wouldn’t bug anyone with pay-tv lingo, it is now pertinent for Nigerians to grasp the rudiments of how the industry works; and the indices represented in the chain, right up to their television sets.

Pay-tv services providers only act as platform for several television content. And content doesn’t come free. As in, they aren’t just plucked out of nowhere, and broadcasted. No, because that would amount to piracy and infringement on intellectual property rights. So, how do pay-tv service providers get content for their subscribers? They buy rights. And why do they buy them? Well, because that movie, that sport content, involves a plethora of talents and production costs, and the owners aren’t in it for charity.

Thus, they pay and, if you want it, you pay as well. It’s why it is called “PAY-TV”! And guess what? The demand in a given market will determine how much the right for a certain content goes for in that market, as the cost isn’t always a one-size-fits-all. What does this mean? If the Premier League, for instance, is of a higher demand in Nigeria than, say, Ghana, the cost to acquire the Premier League rights here, would definitely be higher than it is in Ghana. Also, there are a number of other indices right owners take into consideration in fixing the price of content for a particular market, after which the service provider will need to consider the factors of its socio-economic environment in fixing subscription rates, so as to stay afloat.

Now, back to Nigeria. Nay, let’s talk about DStv. DStv launched in Nigeria in 1995 and, over the years, has increased the number of channels on its platform to more than a hundred, all of which can be accessed in its highest bouquet – DStv Premium. Also, over the years, DStv has continued to live up to its claim of offering the best TV entertainment in Africa viz aligning with the entertainment needs of its subscribers.

The English Premier League is one of Nigeria’s most sought-after TV content; and in 2007, when DStv lost the rights to HItv, it stepped up its game by reinforcing its local content offering on Africa Magic. Thus, in its trying time, it saw an opportunity to beef of its armor as the king of content in its market, using the threat to focus on developing local content further, which then proved – once again – to be a compelling need among Nigerians. Now that’s how you do business: identify a niche, latch on to it, turn the tide, and offer even more in the end. As a result, at the end of the 2007 saga, it dawned on many football-loving Nigerians that there is a whole lot more to DStv than football.

I am Nigerian but I am also a consumer who wants the best value for his money. While I – like other compatriots – may want to appeal to my sense of patriotism in choice of goods and services, I must also appeal to my need for quality viz what is readily obtainable. DStv has been in Nigeria for twenty-two whole years, and have maintained the lead in quality TV entertainment, Nigeria’s socio-economic environment notwithstanding. And like I have mentioned here, it is easy to have a layman appraisal of what it costs to bring such world-class content to your TV sets. So far, I have only used football nay, the Premier League, as an example. Albeit, in its offering, DStv has hundreds of content in its over hundred channels, each of which comes at a cost. Not in Naira, but in US dollars. Darn! Need I mention the La Liga, Serie A, the Champions League…and this is just FOOTBALL. Now, let’s talk about the other sports, and then go on to the movie channels (those movies aren’t played from a DVD from a secret location outside Nigeria, by the way), and then the local channels…the movies…news….er, what else? Anyway, I am sure you understand. Let me reiterate: THEY ARE ALL PAID FOR!

Like I mentioned earlier: the moment I saw TSTV’s claims, I knew straightaway there is no way they could have been 100% genuine, knowing what goes into acquiring them, and measuring it against their claims to dole out 20G worth of internet data as well. Only the government can offer such and with heavy subsidy too! Come to think of it: how much does it cost you to subscribe to a telco internet plan? Now add the cost of individual rights for TV content, overhead and etcetera. This isn’t rocket science actually.

In order to feel the pulse of any industry, you must study its major players. It will give you an idea of what makes it tick, and what it entails to delve into it or, like Nigerians will say, “to chook head inside”

I am Nigerian but I want the best for my money, and will only pay anyone who means business. As in, clean, honest business. Neither will I sacrifice quality on the altar of nationalistic sentiment, especially since there is level-playing field for all.

While we often talk about “buying Naija”, our businessmen must realize that we, as a nation, must live up to our highest potential as a people- in the ability to offer the best and, more importantly, deal conscientiously.

Let’s not forget: if it sounds too good to be true, then it most likely is.

I would rather TSTV to do their homework well because whipping up pretentious sentiments has never helped anyone in the long run. Neither does relying on it help long-term sustenance. TSTV must not renege on their initial promise. Otherwise, it would amount to devious manipulation and a play on our collective intelligence.

You don’t start off a marathon by sprinting. Not when your opponent has twenty-two solid years under his belt. You must know what you are doing. You must realize that the people you aim to reach are watching out for the outcome.

Nigeria or not, we won’t settle for less. Let all be challenged, and step up to it. The floor is open.

That’s all.

Igeniwari, a public affairs commentator, writes from Port Harcourt

Competition is good in businesses but we don't know what tstv is offering subscribers. We have being waiting for tstv since July 25.
However, click on this link and read for yourself
http://digisattvworld..com.ng/2014/11/you-can-now-connect-to-internet-with.html?m=1