CEM REPORT, ENTERTAINMENT | StarTimes, Nigeria’s dominant pay-TV operator, has delivered another blow to football fans, announcing a 15% price increase on all bouquets just days before the highly anticipated Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) kicks off on January 13th.
The price adjustments, ranging from 6% to 15%, effective from January 10th, 2024, will hit all StarTimes bouquets, with the Super bouquet – the only one offering access to the AFCON matches, seeing the steepest increase – a 15% jump from ₦6,500 to ₦7,500.
StarTimes Exclusive for AFCON
In a twist of fate, StarTimes secured the sole broadcast rights for AFCON 2023 in Nigeria, leaving DStv and GoTV subscribers out in the cold. This sudden monopoly fueled speculation that StarTimes is capitalizing on the captive audience to justify its price hike.
Notably, the hike comes only four months after StarTimes’ previous price adjustment in August 2023 and coincides with Multichoice’s decision to not broadcast the tournament on its DStv and GoTV channels.
StarTimes’ Price Hike Breakdown:
Nova: ₦1,500 (current) to ₦1,700 (13% increase)
Basic: N2,600 (current) to ₦2,900 (11% increase)
Classic: ₦3,800 (current) to ₦4,200 (10% increase)
Smart: ₦3,500 (current) to ₦3,800 (6% increase)
Super: ₦6,500 (current) to ₦7,500 (15% increase)
StarTimes Justifies Hike, Fans Fume
In a terse statement on social media, StarTimes attributed the price rise to maintaining “great content and quality,” a justification met with scepticism and anger from many subscribers.
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However, with MultiChoice citing similar reasons for their price increase, sceptical viewers are left wondering if this is simply a case of piggybacking on a trend to maximize profits.
Fans React
“This is unfair,” tweeted @FootbolLover9ja, “They know we have no other option for AFCON and they’re exploiting it. Multichoice not showing it doesn’t make this okay.”
“This is outrageous! We’re already paying through the nose for DStv and GoTV, and now StarTimes is doing the same, right when we want to watch AFCON?” exclaimed Nkechi, a frustrated football fan in Lagos.
“It’s like they’re taking advantage of the AFCON hype to squeeze more money out of us,” lamented John Obi, a StarTimes subscriber in Lagos. “We’re already dealing with the rising cost of living, and now they’re making it even harder to enjoy a bit of entertainment.”
“The channels are still the same, and the signal quality hasn’t improved,” said Sarah Adebayo, another StarTimes customer. “So, what exactly are we paying more for?”
Background Context
This price hike is the third StarTimes has implemented in the past year, raising concerns about affordability and value for money. In light of Multichoice’s recent price increase and ongoing economic challenges, many Nigerians feel squeezed for entertainment options.
