₦airaland Forum

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 premium service for a premium 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 admit, 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 account 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 FCCPC, 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.

MMempire:
Paid marketer sighted.

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

MMempire:
Paid marketer sighted.

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

SadiqBabaSani:
But didn't lie, did he? Where is HiTV and the much touted alternatives, they all faded away

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

dawnomike:
Op seems to be right afterall