Minister for Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, Sam Nartey George, says MultiChoice Ghana has exceeded his expectations in a new agreement.
According t the Minister, MultiChoice has agreed to implement some changes that will deliver unprecedented value to DStv subscribers in Ghana.
Addressing the media on September 29, Sam George delivered an update on the outcome of the stakeholder committee that was established to review DSTv’s subscription prices.
“MultiChoice Ghana has committed to implement an unprecedented increased value offer only in Ghana. Depending on the DStv package or bouquet you use, subscribers will get between 33% to 50% more value,” he announced.
The upgrades, which take effect on October 1, ensures Ghanaian customers receive more services or channels.
The upgrades are;
(1) Paddy bouquet subscribers who pay ₵59 will be upgraded to Access, gaining 35 extra channels (40% value savings).
(2) Access bouquet subscribers at ₵99 will move to Family with 19 more channels (48% value savings).
(3) Family bouquet subscribers paying ₵190 will be upgraded to Compact with 22 more channels, including live football (50% value savings).
(4) Compact bouquet subscribers at ₵380 will move to Compact Plus with 12 more channels (33% value savings).
(5) Compact Plus bouquet subscribers paying ₵570 will be upgraded to Premium with 18 more channels (34% value savings).
(6) Premium subscribers will retain all content but also gain automatic entry into a competition to win trips to watch selected English Premier League matches.
He noted that the new arrangement will affect both new and existing subscribers.
The Minister, who has been demanding that MultiChoice and DSTv reduce their prices since July, expressed satisfaction with this deal.
“Effectively, MultiChoice has offered value over and above what we expected of them. I went into this with the request for 30%. With what we have discussed here, the lowest is 33% and the highest is 50%,” he explained.
He further stated that MultiChoice Africa will also provide a ₵555 subsidy on its DStv Zappa decoder and dish kit, allowing new customers to purchase them at 50% or half the current price.
The minister commended the company for what he described as a gesture of goodwill towards Ghanaian subscribers.
“I extend my warmest gratitude to the MultiChoice team for that,” he said, adding that the government’s committee will reconvene in three months to evaluate the impact of the initiative.
This agreement comes after months of tense exchanges between the Minister, the National Communications Authority and MultiChoice.
