DStv: Sam George Announces End to Impasse With Multichoice Amid Controversial Compromise
- Most Ghanaian DStv subscribers are set to be given access to more channels at no cost after the government resolved its impasse with Multichoice Ghana
- The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam George, announced the developments in a press conference
- During the briefing on September 29, George said the changes will take effect from October 2025
The government has arrived at a compromise in its impasse with Multichoice Ghana over the pricing of DStv packages.
The Minister for Communications, Digital Technology, and Innovations, Sam George, said the government has secured better value for Ghanaians.
Source: Facebook
This is at odds with previous demands for outright price reductions by Multichoice Ghana.
"Multichoice Africa has committed to implement an unprecedented increase in value offer only in Ghana, which will result in Ghanaian DStv subscribers getting more services for less.”
The value savings will depend on the package subscribed to, as some will get between 33% and 50% new value.
Premium customers, who already pay GH¢865, will continue enjoying the full package but with an additional benefit.
They will be entered automatically into a competition to win a fully paid trip to watch selected English Premier League matches, subject to terms and conditions.
During a press conference on September 29, George said the changes will take effect from October 2025.
George held that "Multichoice has offered value over and above what we expected of them."
The minister officially presented the report of the stakeholder committee tasked with reviewing DStv’s pricing structure and operations in Ghana.
The committee, established by the National Communications Authority, was tasked with evaluating the fairness and commercial viability of DStv subscription fees.
It was also tasked with addressing public concerns over affordability and service delivery.
Commenting on this development, Alfred Appiah, a data scientist, believes this marks a victory for Multichoice.
"Paying the same amount but getting additional TV channels isn’t the cost reduction that was promised. What if you don’t even want those channels? If anything, DStv came out of this fracas victorious."
"The government is now even planning to clamp down on people who try to access cheaper DStv services from Nigeria."
Earlier tensions over DStv prices
Following the decision to suspend price hikes in Nigeria, George demanded a 30% reduction in subscription for Ghanaian consumers.
George has been complaining about significant pricing disparities between Ghana and other African countries, noting that DStv's premium bouquet costs $83 in Ghana compared to $29 in Nigeria.
He also cited the appreciation of the Ghanaian cedi against major international trading currencies, particularly the US dollar, as the basis for his demands.
However, Multichoice Ghana had resisted the push for a reduction. The company argued that the cedi's recent appreciation was not sufficient grounds for a price reduction.
Afia Schwarzenegger blasts DStv over subscription pricing
YEN.com.gh reported that social media personality Afia Schwarzenegger fumed over the high DStv monthly subscription fees.
She slammed Multichoice for not reducing its monthly fees, despite what she called substandard programming.
Afia Schwarzenegger gained massive support from Ghanaians who also complained about their DStv subscription costs on social media.
Proofreading by Samuel Gitonga, copy editor at YEN.com.gh.
Source: YEN.com.gh
