Reps to Break Multichoice “Monopoly” of DSTV Space

House of Representatives yesterday moved to contain the “arbitrary” subscription rates charged by Multichoice for its Digital Satellite Television services in the country.

The House observed that high pricing by Dstv had made access to its “premium” programming ‎difficult for the majority of Nigerians.

It also noted that lack of competition in the digital satellite broadcast industry had encouraged a monopoly, giving firms like Multichoice the “undue advantage” of blocking the efforts of other firms to enter the market and crash prices.

Lawmakers particularly opposed a “rigid” subscription policy that permanently billed subscribers “whether they are at home viewing programmes or not.”

A bill to stop such stranglehold on the industry passed second reading at the House on Tuesday.‎

The bill, which was sponsored by a member from Ada‎mawa State, Mrs. Aisha Dahiru-Modibbo, sought to amend the National Broadcasting Commission Act to guarantee openness and competition in the industry.

The long title of the bill reads, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Act to Provide for Competition in Nigeria, to Promote Efficiency and Expand Opportunities for Participation of Nigerians in World Markets, while at the same time Recognising ‎the Role of Foreign Competition in Nigeria and for other Matters Related thereto.”

Leading the debate on the bill, Dahiru-Modibbo said while Nigeria was not against foreign participation in the local economy, such involvement should not be to the detriment of Nigerians.