Nigerian subscribers to MultiChoice Nigeria’s cable TV services, DStv and GOtv, have reported delays in the activation of their subscriptions despite making payments.

The complaints were made across the GOtv Nigeria and DStv Nigeria social media pages by Nigerians on August 21, 2026, who said their payments had not reflected on their accounts.

The complaints came as the English Premier League returned for the 2026/27 season, with some subscribers expressing concerns about missing matches because their subscriptions remained inactive.

What they are saying

Several subscribers said payments for their DStv and GOtv subscriptions remained pending or had not reflected hours after payment.

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Victor Calm said he paid N36,000 for DStv Compact Plus, but his subscription had not been activated.

  • “I made payment of 36,000 for compact plus which I have sent you receipt of payment. Is still showing on my app, processing Payments for hours.”

NOW ‘AIR’ing said he made payment at 5:44 p.m., but his subscription was still inactive.

  • “I made payment for my subscription at 5:44 PM, but my subscription is still inactive.”

Balogun Babatunde said his subscription had not reflected and he was unable to get assistance through the company’s digital channels.

  • “I subscribed about an hour ago and it’s still not reflecting, your app is not loading and even the WhatsApp is not replying. pls i want to watch the Arsenal match else you’ve got to add a day to the subscription…here is my Iuc number 8213445229”

Olakanmi Olabisi also said his Smartnumber subscription was not reflecting and appealed for assistance, while Edochie Victor said his payment had not appeared on his app or TV.

  • “I just made payment but it had not reflected on my app or TV Kindly assist.”

Favour Chiadika said she had made payment the previous evening but was still unable to use the service.

  • “Hello I made payments since 6pm yesterday and till now it’s doesn’t work.”

Estellereported a specific error after making payment and said she could not access DStv’s self-care channel.

  • “I just paid for subscription and can’t view any channel. E16 error but I can’t clear. What’s going on???”

The Premier League’s return appeared to heighten frustration among some subscribers, with customers specifically concerned about missing matches.

One subscriber appealed for the service to be restored so they could watch an Arsenal match, while Gerald said his payment was made at 7:35 p.m. but his service remained unavailable.

As of the time of reporting, MultiChoice Nigeria had not issued an official statement explaining the reported delays or confirming whether they were linked to a wider technical issue affecting DStv or GOtv subscribers.

Get up to speed

The latest complaints come amid sustained pressure on MultiChoice Nigeria’s subscriber base, with economic conditions affecting demand for its pay-TV services.

  • Nairametrics reported in November 2024 that MultiChoice Nigeria lost 243,000 subscribers across DStv and GOtv between April and September 2024.
  • The decline formed a significant portion of the 566,000 subscribers lost across MultiChoice’s Rest of Africa operations during the six-month period, with Nigeria and Zambia accounting for most of the decline.
  • MultiChoice attributed the Nigerian losses largely to difficult economic conditions, while Zambia’s decline was linked partly to prolonged power outages.

The company had also reported an 18% decline in its Nigerian subscriber base for the financial year ended March 2024.

The decline reflected pressure on household incomes as consumers dealt with rising food, electricity and fuel costs, alongside growing competition from streaming platforms.

What you should know

MultiChoice Nigeria has also faced repeated price increases and regulatory scrutiny over its DStv and GOtv services.

  • In December 2024, the company announced 72-hour free access to all DStv channels and GOtv services, including for disconnected subscribers, as a seasonal offer.
  • The company increased DStv and GOtv prices three times within 12 months, in April 2023, November 2023 and May 2024, amid rising inflation.
  • The May 2024 increase triggered a dispute with the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, which had ordered MultiChoice to suspend the review. The company proceeded with the increase, after which the tribunal imposed a N150 million fine and ordered a one-month free subscription for Nigerian subscribers.

MultiChoice later announced another subscription price increase scheduled for March 1, 2025, prompting the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to summon the company for an investigative hearing.

The March 2025 price review remains the latest relevant price adjustment in the background to the current subscription complaints.