MultiChoice Nigeria, the powerhouse behind DSTV and GOtv, has rolled out a game-changing weekly subscription plan in Nigeria, sparking a wave of excitement, debates, and demands across the country. Dubbed a bold move to make pay-TV more pocket-friendly, the “Ka Weekie” model, first launched in Uganda, is now stirring conversations among Nigerian subscribers hungry for flexible entertainment options. But while many are clapping, others are asking: Is this enough? Newsafloat dives into the buzz, capturing what Nigerians are saying about this fresh twist in the pay-TV world.
A Win for Flexibility: Nigerians Celebrate the Weekly Plan
The weekly subscription, inspired by MultiChoice’s Uganda campaign, lets DSTV and GOtv users access premium channels for as little as a seven-day commitment. No need to lock into a full month-subscribers can now pay for short-term access, perfect for budget-conscious viewers, students, or those who just want a quick entertainment fix. The move comes as a breath of fresh air in Nigeria, where economic challenges like inflation (hitting 24.48% in January 2025) and rising living costs have made monthly subscriptions a tough pill to swallow for many.
Social media platforms, especially X, are buzzing with reactions. “Finally, MultiChoice is listening! Weekly payments mean I can watch my football matches without breaking the bank,” posted @TundeLadipo, a Lagos-based barber. Others echoed similar vibes, praising the plan’s flexibility. “This is great for students like me. I can subscribe for a week during holidays and not worry about monthly bills,” tweeted @AishaUmar, a university student in Abuja.
The timing couldn’t be better. With streaming giants like Netflix and Showmax offering on-demand content at competitive prices, MultiChoice has faced pressure to innovate. The weekly plan is seen as a strategic jab to keep its massive Nigerian market; Africa’s most populous nation, hooked. “It’s a smart move. People want options, not burdens,” said Chidi Okoye, a media analyst in Lagos. “This could stop the bleeding after MultiChoice lost 243,000 subscribers in Nigeria between April and September 2024.”
The Gripes: “Too Little, Too Late?
Not everyone is popping champagne. Some Nigerians feel the weekly subscription is a half-baked solution to deeper issues with DSTV and GOtv. Frequent price hikes, spotty service, and a lack of “pay-as-you-go” options remain sore points. “Why can’t we just pay for the channels we watch? I don’t need 150 channels when I only use 10,” ranted @ChimaDeborah on X, echoing a sentiment shared by many.
MultiChoice’s pricing history hasn’t helped. In March 2025, a 21% subscription hike pushed DSTV Premium to ₦44,500 and GOtv’s basic package to ₦3,900, drawing fire from consumer groups like Save the Consumers, who called it “exploitative” and “discriminatory” compared to price cuts in South Africa. The memory of those increases lingers, with subscribers like Adebola Oluwatosin, a Real Madrid fan, grumbling, “Weekly or not, they’re still charging too much for services that cut off when it rains!”
Technical glitches also fuel frustration. Subscribers have long complained about signal losses during bad weather and channel outages, like the Champions League blackout on GOtv in October 2024 that left football fans fuming. “I’m happy about weekly payments, but fix the service first!” posted @SanjoTheVibe, a viewing center owner in Ibadan.
The Bigger Picture: A Market in Flux
The weekly subscription arrives as MultiChoice battles a shifting entertainment landscape. Over 1.8 million subscribers across Africa dropped DSTV and GOtv between 2023 and 2024, with Nigeria accounting for 243,000 of those losses. Economic hardship, coupled with cheaper alternatives like Startimes, SLTV, and streaming platforms, has pushed Nigerians to rethink their subscriptions. “I switched to Showmax because I can pause or cancel anytime. DSTV needs to catch up,” said Oludoyin James, a freelancer in Lagos.
Consumer advocates are also watching closely. The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) previously slammed MultiChoice with a ₦150 million fine in June 2024 for ignoring a court order against price hikes, ordering a one-month free subscription for Nigerian users. Many now demand a “pay-per-channel” model, arguing it would give subscribers true control. “Weekly is a step, but we need real choice,” said Dr. Aliyu Ilias of Save the Consumers.
What’s Next for MultiChoice?
MultiChoice Nigeria hasn’t confirmed the exact pricing for the weekly plan in Nigeria, but if Uganda’s “Ka Weekie” is any clue, it could start as low as the equivalent of $1.35 (roughly ₦2,200 at current rates). The company’s silence on a Nigerian rollout has left some subscribers antsy, with X user @Mayodsaint asking, “What’s stopping MultiChoice from giving us this option now?”
Industry watchers believe the weekly plan could be a lifeline for MultiChoice if paired with better service and fairer pricing. “They’re testing the waters. If it works in Nigeria, expect a continent-wide push,” said Funmi Adeyemi, a tech journalist. For now, Nigerians are split—some see the weekly subscription as a welcome relief, while others demand a total overhaul of how pay-TV works.
The Verdict: A Step Forward, but More to Do
As DSTV and GOtv roll out weekly subscriptions, Nigerians are voicing a mix of hope and skepticism. The plan’s flexibility is a crowd-pleaser, especially for those juggling tight budgets, but it’s not a cure-all. With streaming platforms gaining ground and economic pressures mounting, MultiChoice must do more to win back trust. Will the weekly plan keep subscribers glued to their screens, or will Nigerians keep drifting to cheaper, tech-savvy alternatives? Only time will tell.
What do you think about the weekly subscription? Drop your thoughts in the comments