Pay-tv operator, StarTimes, has announced a 15% price increment on its subscription effective from January 10, 2024.
This is coming ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON
2023) starting on January 13. StarTimes is the only pay-tv operator with the
broadcast right for the continental sporting event in Nigeria.
This price hike, effective from January 10, 2024, has left
many football fans and loyal viewers surprised and frustrated.
Multichoice announced in December–to the amazement of many
of its subscribers—that it would not be able to broadcast the AFCON matches on
its DStv and Gotv sports channels.
While the latest price increment cuts across its bouquets,
StartTimes Super bouquet, which has the sports channel that will show the AFCON
has the highest increment of 15% from the current rate of N6,500 to N7,500.
Just like Multichoice did last year, the latest price
increase by StarTimes is coming barely 4 months after implementing an increment
in August 2023.
StartTimes’ explanation
The Chinese electronics and media company in a short post on its X handle on
Tuesday said the increment was to sustain the quality of its content for its
subscribers.
“To keep giving you great content without reducing quality,
we’re reviewing bouquet prices and adding a new bouquet. Starting from January
10, these prices will take effect. We remain committed to giving you the best.
Thank you for choosing StarTimes,” the company stated.
The price increment cuts across its Terrestrial TV (Antenna)
Service and Satellite TV (Dish) bouquets. According to the company, subscribers
of its Nova bouquet, who are currently paying N1,500 per month will start
paying N1,700 from January 10. This represents a 13% increase.
Users on the StarTimes Smart bouquet will be paying N3,800,
a 6% increase from the N3,500 currently being paid.
Subscribers react
Meanwhile, the price increment has not gone down well with
StarTimes subscribers. Many wondered why the pay-tv operator would be
implementing another price increase when it did the same about 4 months ago.
Reacting to the announcement, an X user, @Akoraydey1920,
said:
“It seems you guys are now showing yourself. What’s special
about StarTimes that you are increasing prices? Just some months back, you guys
increased, now again. Mine is about football, I will be seeing that on my
phone.”
Another X user and StarTimes customer, @lordsirel, said:
“Just because you want to show Cup of Nations, you are
taking advantage, well done. You should just come and pick up your decoder from
my house.”
A prospective customer of the pay-tv operator, who had
planned to acquire the company’s decoder because of the AFCON, @baanafemi,
said:
“Thank God I have not bought StarTimes. I wanted to buy it
because of AFCON, but with this new price increment, I have a rethink. You are
not different from DSTV. The Super Eagles are not even worth it.”