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Why Nigerians, Others Pay More for Pay-TV

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By Justus E. Fashedemi

Who do you think pays the eye-watering salaries earned by players in England’s Premier League, the Spanish LaLiga or Italian Serie A? It is not the clubs, but fans in those countries and around the world.

 

Wondering how? Here is it. The Premier League, the world’s favourite football league, for example, is broadcast in 212 countries to an estimated 4.7 billion people.

 

The 2016/17 season was the first in the current three-year broadcasting deal, which gives the Premier League £8.3 billion in television rights, with £5.41 billion of that coming from two UK broadcasters, Sky and BT.

 

It means clubs have larger sums to spend on players, who are earning bigger wages, and are less dependent match day income.

To cover the cost of the sum paid for the deal with the Premier League, Sky and BT jacked up prices by about 10% in 2016, meaning that the cost to the subscriber went up.

 

The two broadcasters were simply responding to the 71% jump over what was paid for the previous television deal. So, whatever commercial progress the clubs are making is at a cost, which is eventually passed on to fans around the world by television companies broadcasting matches of the Premier League everywhere in the world.

 

Being a red-hot property, a jewel in the Pay TV crown, rights to air Premier League matches are unlikely to attract lower sums when next they are up for renewal.

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In fact, they will attract higher sums. Live sport, in general, is hot, hot property. The cut-throat competition for the acquisition of rights to broadcast or redistribute live sport content is unsurprisingly accompanied by stratospheric hikes prices demanded by content owners.

 

It is the same for content in other genres- movies, general entertainment, documentaries, kiddies’ content et al.

 

Being part of the global Pay TV landscape, operators in Nigeria are similarly victims of tough negotiations and astronomical content prices as operators in Europe, the US and Asia.

 

A big portion of the monthly subscription the consumer pays is comprises costs that Pay TV companies, which are essentially distributors or vendors, are required to pay to content creators or those that package Pay TV channels.

 

It means that for every household receiving that package, whether or not anyone in the household watches the channel, Pay TV providers pay a fee.

 

Content rebroadcast agreements usually contain clear and stringent rules on how content owners want their television shows and channels should be sold to viewers.

 

Content owners determine, for example, what packages can contain their channels. With content costs almost always denominated in the US dollar, Euro and the British pound, it is not possible for Pay TV subscription in Nigeria to remain the same for long, especially with the volatility of the exchange rate of the Naira to the aforementioned international currencies.

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Even then, Pay TV prices in Nigeria are not anywhere near the steepest in the world as many often suggest. A look at the recent price adjustments made by MultiChoice on its DStv platform provides a confirmation. Under the company’s new price regime, the DStv Premium package, which currently costs N14, 700 will from 1 August rise to N15, 800.

 

Price of the DStv Compact Plus package has also been slightly bumped up from to N10, 650 from N9, 900. The Compact package, which currently costs N6, 500, will rise to N6, 800.

 

Prices of the Family and Access packages will equally go up to N4, 000 and N2, 000 respectively from the N3, 800 and N1, 900 currently being paid. Compared to the company’s new rates in Ghana, MultiChoice subscribers in Nigeria can have few complaints.

 

The West African country’s Premium subscribers will henceforth pay GH 365 (N27, 360.75), while those on Compact plus will pay GH 245 (N18, 365.44). Compact and Family subscribers in Ghana will pay GH 149 (N11, 169.18) and GH 85 (N6, 961.60) respectively.

 

South African subscribers of the company, erroneously viewed as sacred cows, will pay R809 (N21, 728.47) for Premium, R509 (N13, 670) for Compact Plus, R385 (N10, 340.49) for Compact, R249 (N6, 687.75) for Family and R99 (N2, 656.98) for Access respectively.

 

Similarly in Europe and the Americas, Pay TV subscribers pay more than Nigerians. In the US, Pay TV operator, Direct TV’s two biggest packages cost $110 (N38, 710) and $60 (N21, 660) respectively. For its third biggest package, Xtra, Direct TV charges $55 (N19, 855).

 

Its other packages cost $40 (N14, 440), $45 (N16, 245) and $35 (N12, 635). United Kingdom’s premier operator, Sky TV, charges £79.95 (N38, 167.33) for its fullest package and £47.50 (N22, 572.97) for that next to it. The third package attracts £40 (N19, 008.82), while the three below it cost £30 (N14, 256.61), £25 (N11, 731.54) and £20 (N9, 504.41) respectively.

 

In Mexico, where the provider offers four packages, the costs are higher than what is paid by subscribers in Nigeria. In the Central American country, Sky TV’s topmost package costs MXN 1039 (N19, 798.52). The three others cost MXN 829 (N15, 796. 52), MXN 649 (N12, 366.93) and MXN 569 (N10, 842.50).

 

Contrary to the widespread belief that Pay TV prices around the world are as stable as rock in a windstorm, the fact is they rise yearly.

 

Analysts reckon that programming costs have risen by eight to 10 percent in each of the past four years-driven by competition for content and other economic conditions, reducing Pay TV operators’ margins and compelling them to keep hike prices to remain afloat.

 

Competition has been made fiercer by the rise of streaming services, which are also in the game for compelling programming, offering another outlet to content owners. When this is added to global economic conditions, prices are unlikely to stay the same.

 

A 2013 research by Robert Gessner of America’s Masillon Cable TV Inc., warned subscribers to expect large increases in prices.

 

“Wholesale costs for the lowest level of TV service will increase by 11.5% in 2014; expected to increase 400% by 2020. Wholesale costs for Basic TV will increase by 11.7% in 2014 and double by 2020. Anticipated 2020 out-of-pocket Basic Cable program cost will exceed $80/month, more than $100 retail with no equipment, premium services, Internet or phone service,” wrote Gessner.

 

US website, consumerreports.org, also reported that most US Pay TV operators hiked their prices in 2018, with some introducing hidden fees, with operators blaming the development on the rise in costs paid for programming.

 

Industry watchers also posit that addition of new features and functions to services, leading to improved subscriber experience, also contributes to the rise in Pay TV prices.

 

Except the astronomical programming costs miraculously slide-appreciably, too-there is no chance of Pay TV prices remaining the same for a long time.

 

––Fashedemi, a public affairs analyst, writes from Lagos


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Multichoice Nigeria Hikes Tariff, Second Time 5 Months

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Multichoice Nigeria, leading pay TV operator, has again increased the subscriptions for its DStv and GOtv packages by at least 25 per cent .

Multichoice Nigeria Hikes Tariff, Second Time 5 Months

ohn Ugbe,

Multichoice announced the increase in tarrifs in a message sent to subscribers on Wednesday and said that the new regime will be effective May 1.

The company stated this in the statement signed by John Ugbe, chief executive officer was titled, ‘Price Adjustment on DStv and GOtv Packages.’

The pay-TV firm cited the rise in the cost of business operations as the rationale behind the price increase.

The company said, “We understand the impact this change may have on you – our valued customer, but the rise in the cost of business operations, has led us to make this difficult decision.

“It remains our mission to provide the best entertainment and viewing experience to you and are committed to continue to deliver high-quality content and unparalleled service. So, from Wednesday, 1 May 2024, the price adjustment will take effect.”

With the review, customers on the DStv Premium package will see their monthly subscription fee increase to N37,000 starting from May 1, marking a 25.4% rise from the current N29,500.

Also, price of the Compact+ bouquet has been raised to N25,000 from N19,800 per month, reflecting a 26.2% increment.

DStv has also announced that subscribers on its Compact bouquet will now pay N15,700, up from the current N12,500, representing a 25.6% increase.

Meanwhile, those on the Confam package will face a 25.6% hike as their monthly subscription rises to N9,300 from N7,400.

Under the new pricing structure, viewers on the DStv Yanga bouquet will be charged N5,100 for their monthly subscription, marking a 21.43% increase over the current N4,200 fee.

Multichoice has announced price increases across its GOtv packages. Customers on the Supa Plus package will now pay N15,700, marking a 25.6% rise from the current price of N12,500. Similarly, the Supa bouquet will see its price increase to N9,600 from the current N7,600.

For the GOtv Max subscription, the new price is N7,200, up from N5,700, while the Jolli package will now cost N4,850, compared to the current price of N3,950. Multichoice has also adjusted the price of its lowest GOtv package, Jinja, which will now be N3,300 monthly instead of the current N2,700.

 

 

 


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Alleged $500m wasteful investments: I stand by my words, Heineken Lokpobiri dares Wabote

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Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri, Hon Minister Of State For Petroleum Resources have reiterated that he stands by his statement at The Petroleum Club’s quarterly event in Lagos, that NCDMB wasted over $500 million of the industry’s fund in equity investments in private establishments and in loans that are now non-performing.

The minster while reacting to recent media statement by SIMBI Wabote, former executive secretary to the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board, NCDMB, dismissed as blatant lies from the pit of hell, claims that his office requested for increase on NCDMB budget by N30 billion for the office of the Minister.

In a statement signed by the Nneamaka Okafor ,SA Media and Communication, Minister Of State For Petroleum Resources(Oil),the minister noted that ‘’Our position is that he who alleges must prove same. So, if Mr. Wabote has proof of such conversation, he is challenged to provide same.

‘’Secondly the Minister has no aide called Blackson. All his aides were duly selected in line with extant laws and have documents to that effect.

According to the statement ‘’The Minister in his capacity as chairman of the Governing Council stands by his statement at The Petroleum Club’s quarterly event in Lagos, and as journalists I welcome you to visit the places mentioned to verify the allegations for yourself.

‘’Thirdly, the said Atlantic Refinery was supposed to be built in Mr Wabote’s home town, he should show Nigerians where that refinery is.

‘’Fourthly, the Brass Fertilizer and Petrochemical company was also paid for, you are welcomed to also visit the site to verify the facts for yourself.

The statement noted that Investigations are ongoing and the truth will surely come to light and monies belonging to the generality of Nigerians will be recovered for Nigerians.

‘’Let me add that these revelations are not new, they were first made during an investigative hearing of the House of representative committee on local content. Again the records are there and you are welcome to verify these facts.

‘’The Minister has never been part of any budgeting process of any parastatal under the Ministry, you are welcomed to visit these agencies to verify for yourself.

‘’Finally, the Minister’s office is run with a budget superintended by the permanent secretary and so one will wonder, how the Minister will ask another entity to make provisions for the budget of his Office. The Minister has an impeccable record from his time as Minister of Agric and will continue to stand for the truth.

The Minister and Indeed the Chairman of the Governing Council of the NCDMB will not abdicate his responsibility to please anyone. He has a responsibility to ensure that, that which belongs to Nigerians is judiciously used for Nigerians

‘’I have had course to read Mr Wabote’s release and every one can see that he is still nursing the wounds of being replaced even after spending seven years at the Board. At best, this is a clear case of when you fight corruption, corruption will fight back.

It would be recalled that the Minister at at an event in vowed to recoup alleged investments worth over $500m made by the Nigerian Content Monitoring and Development Board (NCDMB).

However, The erstwhile Executive Secretary of the NCDMB, Engr.Simbi Wabote had earlier debunked the Minister’s statement describing it as reckless.

Wabote challenged the Minister to visit the sites of the projects the agency invested in while accusing the Minister of playing politics.

“The HMSPR-Oil is implored to visit the construction sites to avail himself of facts on ground. He should also check the MPR archives of the strategic plan to diversify oil and gas development clusters in the Niger Delta using Bonny Island, Brass Island, Onne, Ogidigben, Ibom, etc. Perhaps, this will cure his aversion to any developmental initiative in Brass Island and the Niger Delta in general.” Wabote said.


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Techy Accountants in partnership with ACCA Host AccounTech Summit to Empower Finance Professionals

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The AccounTech Summit, hosted by The Techy Accountant in partnership with the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), is a groundbreaking event designed to navigate the evolving landscape of the finance industry in the digital era.

Techy accountant

Recognizing the critical need for finance professionals to adapt to technological advancements and emerging trends, this summit is a driving force for innovation, transformation, and progress.

The event is set to take place as follows:

Date: August 15th, 2024,

Location: Radisson Blu Anchorage Hotel in Lagos, Victoria Island, Nigeria.

Time: 9:00 A.M

The summit aims to celebrate achievements in the finance sector, support entrepreneurship ventures, and enlighten participants on industry challenges and opportunities. With a focus on bridging the employability gap and promoting high-quality skill development in finance, the summit aims to address the evolving landscape of the industry in the digital age.

Over the past six years, The Techy Accountant has graduated over 1000 finance professionals and trained more than 5000 individuals worldwide.

Event Highlights

The one-day event will bring together over 200 attendees, including finance professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, academics, and Techies.

Attendees can expect a day of immersive learning and collaboration, culminating in an award and grant ceremony. Event Highlights include keynote sessions, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities, all centred around the theme “Emerging Tech in Accounting & Finance – A Game Changer.”

Commenting on the summit, Mrs. Toyin Olufon, Founder of The Techy Accountant stated, “We believe in equipping finance professionals with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly changing industry”.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mopelola Jatto, CFA, Regional Head, ACCA Nigeria remarked, “Partnering with The Techy Accountant underscores our commitment to fostering innovation and driving excellence in the finance profession. Together, we aim to equip professionals with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the digital age.”

TO REGISTER, VISIT: https://thetechyaccountant.org/event/the-techy-accountants-account-tech-summit-2024


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