In Nigeria, the executive secretary of the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) – Dr. Yemisi Bamgbose, has reportedly expressed his disagreement with the decision of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to review the subscription prices of DStv and GOtv.
In a statement released on Monday, Bamgbose pointed out that the commission had been silent regarding the increase in prices of goods and services by big companies but was now looking to review pay-tv prices.
Bamgbose stated that he would have supported the FCCPC if they had been intervening in price matters that have a direct impact on the masses. He cited examples of goods and services, such as bread, sachet water, and cement, whose prices have increased drastically in the past year without any review by the FCCPC. She also mentioned that even the cost of domestic flights and private educational institutions’ fees has increased, with no intervention from the commission.
Bamgbose believes that if other services are allowed to increase their prices, MultiChoice should also have the freedom to determine the price of its products to maintain high-quality service. Dr Bamgbose emphasised that subscription television is not an essential commodity, and those who cannot afford the services of MultiChoice or any pay-tv can decide not to subscribe, thereby exercising their consumer choice.
Bamgbose further explained that MultiChoice provides coverage to the nooks and crannies of the country, maintaining over three hundred sites powered by diesel-generating sets in each of the sites to provide uninterrupted services. She also mentioned that pay-TV companies purchase all the content that subscribers watch in the comfort of their homes and offices.
Bamgbose believes that the FCCPC needs more information about the broadcasting business. By understanding its complexities, the public can be better informed about the implications of such a review.
