MultiChoice agrees to reduce DSTV fees, pricing committee established – Sam George
The Minister of Communications, Sam George, has confirmed that MultiChoice Ghana has agreed to reduce its subscription prices, following intense regulatory pressure.
This comes after MultiChoice finally provided the data requested by the government regarding comprehensive pricing data, specifically including a breakdown of bouquet prices, tax components, and pricing comparisons with at least six other African countries.
This information was deemed essential to support fair, evidence-based discussions on potential subscription fee reductions.
The submission of this information cleared the way for the formation of a pricing review committee.
In response, the government has set up a special committee to determine the new pricing structure, and a September 21 deadline has been established for finalising the reduction plan.
At a press conference on Friday, September 5, the minister announced the breakthrough and revealed that while the process to revise pricing is underway.
“We’ve taken the decision to immediately establish a stakeholder committee comprising representatives from the Ministry of Communication, Digital Technology and Innovation. The regulator, the NCA, MultiChoice Ghana and MultiChoice Africa. I will personally chair the committee.
“MultiChoice has requested a 30-day window for the committee to arrive at what percentage of reduction will be achieved. So let’s be clear, they have finally accepted that there will be a reduction. Now they want us to discuss the level of reduction. I believe, as Minister, that we do not need 30 days. 14 days is enough for us to reach this decision, inclusive of weekends,” he told journalists.
The government had previously issued a stern ultimatum, demanding MultiChoice cut prices by 30% by September 6 or face suspension of its broadcasting license, a directive backed by daily fines of GHC 10,000 for non-compliance, which had already accumulated to around GHC 150,000.
He further disclosed that the fines accrued over the past 24 days since the directive took effect would also be collected.
