We’ve saved subscribers N6bn monthly, ATCIS claims as DStv,GOtv revert tariff increase

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lagosstreetjournal
June 1, 2020

By Abiodun Adebayo

The Association of Telephone, CableTv and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria (ATCIS) on Monday said it has saved Nigerian subscribers of DStv and GOtv about N6 billion monthly having forced their company, Multichoice to stop its decision to increase tariffs starting from today, Monday June 1st, 2020.

With series of media media campaigns against the proposed increase in the tariff of DStv and GOtv earlier announced, the company, has reverted its decision on the proposed tariff increment and subsequently announced discounts for its subscribers instead.

In its response to the ATCIS demands, the company has written: “Dear ATCIS NIGERIA, thank you for your mail dated Monday 11th May 2020 with subject – ATCIS Rejects Proposed Hike in Monthly Subscription by DSTV and GOTV from June during Covid– 19. Apologies for the in convenience and delayed response.

“Please be informed that your request has been received, escalated to the appropriate department and is currently being processed. Kindly note that feed back would be provided soon, thank you for your understanding. From Multichoice.”

Meanwhile, the company has on Sunday announced new rewards for its subscribers with the campaign to lessen the impact of the ongoing socio-economic crisis buoyed by COVID-19 pandemic.

During the launch, MultiChoice announced that it will reward its subscribers with mouth-watering discounts for DStv and GOtv customers respectively.

It pointed out that active and disconnected DStv and GOtv customers are eligible to enjoy the discounts on upgraded packages during the trying times.

The company explained that a subscriber on DStv Compact Plus who pays N10,650 will be moved to DStv Premium with N5,150 discount and enjoy one new movie weekly on M-Net 101 as well as Comedy Central, talk shows and free access to Showmax.

According to the company, subscribers on DStv Compact of N6,800 monthly will move to Compact Plus and get rewarded with N3,800 discount, and will enjoy the HBO latest season, while also enjoying brand new reality Judging Matters and more on Africa Magic Showcase.

Furthermore, the company stated that subscribers on DStvConfam of N4,500 will move to DStv Compact and be rewarded with N2,300 discount, while enjoying local series on Africa Magic Urban, like Unbroken and more.

While those on DStv Family of N4,000 will move to DStvConfam package, and enjoy N500 discount, likewise DStvYanga of N2,500 will enjoy N2,000 discount on DStvConfam other freebies.

“Likewise, DStv Access of N2,000 will move to DStvYanga with a discount of N500 and other additional programmes.

“For GOtv, those on N2,400 Jolli package will move to Gotv Max with a discount of N800. GOtv Plus subscribers of N1,900 will move to GOtvJolli and get discount of N800, GOtvJinja of N1,600 moves to GOtvJolli on a discount of N800 alongside other freebies.

Others are GOtv Value and Lite of N1,250 qhich will also move to GOtvJinja on a discount of N350 while enjoying other freebies,” it stated.

Earlier, ATCIS had demanded that there should be “no increase from any Cable TV for now till further notice, instead of that, reduction should be made due to covid-19

“We want all Cable TV service providers to switch to Pay Per View with immediate effect.

“Cable TV Subscription and charges should be made flexible and accommodate: Pay Per view and not this Conventional System. Subscribers did not get value for money on Cable TV quality of service.

“From any cable TV service providers, subscribers should be entitled to October free subscription being Nigeria Independent month.

“Henceforth, any product by any Cable TV service provider for subscribers interest must seek ATCIS endorsement.”

Commenting on the new development, the ATCIS National President, Prince Sina Bilesanmi said the association has saved the subscribers about N6 billion which would have been made from them on monthly basis if the company had succeeded in increasing its tariff.

In a statement on Monday, Bilesanmi advised the Federal Government to sanction the companies or organisations that are not complying with its directive on easing the burden on Nigerians caused by the outbreak of coronavirus.

He said: “This is the right time for President Muhammed Buhari’s administration to fire those companies or Govt. agency that are not ready to work with him to promote the standard and right of subscribers through the agencies such as National Broadcasting Commission, Nigerian Communication Commission, Orientation Agency, Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.

“There is power in voicing out, due to our 420 publications (online, local and international news), different TV and radio live interviews across 36 states of Nigeria for ATCIS to spend close to N10 million with the support of media to get the attention of Multichoice management based on what they proposed which is not good especially during this Covid-19 pandemic crisis and they acknowledged our letter dated Thursday, May 21, 2020.

“If not for the intervention of ATCIS that went extra mile spending close to N10 million, Multichoice would have realized additional N6 billion monthly from June 1st, 2020.”

He therefore appreciated all government agencies and individuals who supported the campaign against the proposed increase in the tariff.

“On behalf of Board of Trustees (BOT), Elders forum, National and State executives with entire members of the Association of Telephone, CableTv and Internet Subscribers of Nigeria drawn from the six geopolitical zones with one sweet voice despite all our struggles as ATCIS represents large percentage of subscribers in Nigeria with over 187 million, we thank Almighty God.

“We also appreciate President Muhammed Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, General TY Danjuma, Professor Gambari – COS to the President, Senate President, all our law makers both in upper and lower chambers, Nigerian Governors Forum, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Office of the National Security Adviser, Attorney General of Federation, Inspector General of Police, Chairman – EFCC, National Human Rights Commission, Director General of FCCPC, Director General of NBC, Director’s of DSS Lagos State Command, all professional bodies, NLC, TUC, all civil servants and spiritual fathers and mothers for the roles they all played to join ATCIS pressure upon Multichoice, the owner of GOTV/DSTV to bow for masses sake as agitated by ATCIS.”