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Tag: MultiChoice

  • Multichoice adds British channels to Compact Bouquet

    Multichoice adds British channels to Compact Bouquet

    MULTICHOICE has announced the addition of two new British channels, BBC Lifestyle and Cbeebies to the content on its Compact bouquet. This is coming after the recent re-launch of its DStv Compact.

    The channels which were previously exclusive to Premium bouquet subscribers have been included in the over 95 plus channels list on Compact.

    General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho said that the aims is to further broaden the range of offerings on the Compact bouquet.

    “As a leading video entertainment company in Africa, we are constantly seeking ways of providing more value to our subscribers and we do this by structuring content that suit their lifestyles and personalities. The addition of BBC Lifestyle and Cbeebies exemplifies our commitment to continually add value to our subscribers” Mabutho said.

    BBC Lifestyle is an international channel that provides six key programming features in Food, Home & Design, Fashion & Style, Health, Parenting, and Personal Development while Cbeebies offers a mix of mostly UK-produced entertainment and educational output designed to encourage learning through play. Both channels are wholly owned by BBC Worldwide.

    The company also announced that BBC Entertainment which will be renamed BBC Brit on DStv will be accessible to local viewers on Compact, Compact Plus and Premium bouquets from September. The channel will become the exclusive home of such programmes as Top Gear, Undercover Boss and Dragons Den even as it covers a rich variety of subjects including cars, science, adventure, business, food, and life-changing moments.

  • MultiChoice promises quality service to subscribers

    MultiChoice promises quality service to subscribers

    Leading pay-TV provider, MultiChoice Nigeria, has assured the Consumer Protection Council (CPC) of its commitment to the continuous provision of top quality service to its subscribers.

    The assurance was given in Abuja yesterday at the scheduled hearing into costumer complaints at the head office of the CPC.

    Managing Director, MultiChoice Nigeria, John Ugbe, led the team of experts to the hearing. The team, comprising  experts in various areas of the company’s operations, arrived the venue of the hearing with a number of official documentation that the CPC had requested to be brought along.

    Speaking at the hearing, Ugbe said: “We recognise the role the CPC plays in consumer protection and we are glad that we have the opportunity to meet with them in order to achieve optimal customer satisfaction, which is our key objective.”

    [ad id=”403656″]He explained that the company brought along experts in various areas of its operations because it holds the CPC in high esteem, shares its commitment to customer satisfaction and desires a speedy and satisfactory resolution to the matter through the expertise of the team it brought along.

    Ugbe added: “Our customers guide the decisions we make and all our initiatives continue to be geared towards a rewarding customer experience for our subscribers. We await further communication on a new appointment from the CPC, as we work jointly towards improved quality and content for our customers,” said Ugbe.

    Early last month, the CPC announced its intention to find out the challenges MultiChoice was facing in its operations, with a view to finding solutions to such in a way that would enhance the satisfaction of its subscribers.

  • MultiChoice adds British channels to DStv

    MultiChoice adds British channels to DStv

    MultiChoice is making true promises to further enrich the quality of content on the bouquet, which it made during the recent re-launch of its DStv Compact.

    To that effect, the Pay TV Company has announced the addition of two new British channels; BBC Lifestyle and Cbeebies to the bouquet. The channels which were previously exclusive to Premium bouquet subscribers have been included to the over 95 plus channels list on Compact.

    “This further broadens the range of offerings on the Compact bouquet”, said General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho.

    According to Mabutho, “As a leading video entertainment company in Africa, we are constantly seeking ways of providing more value to our subscribers and we do this by structuring content that suit their lifestyles and personalities. The addition of BBC Lifestyle and Cbeebies exemplifies our commitment to continually add value to our subscribers.”

    He described BBC Lifestyle as an international channel that provides six key programming features in Food, Home & Design, Fashion & Style, Health, Parenting, and Personal Development, and Cbeebies as one that offers a mix of mostly UK-produced entertainment and educational output designed to encourage learning through play. Both channels are wholly owned by BBC Worldwide.

    He disclosed that BBC Entertainment which will be renamed to BBC Brit on DStv channel 120 will be accessible to local viewers on Compact, Compact Plus and Premium bouquets starting from 1 September 2015.

    “The channel will become the exclusive home of Top Gear, Undercover Boss and Dragons Den and cover a rich variety of subjects including cars, science, adventure, business, food and life-changing moments,” he said.

  • Multichoice may adopt new subscription models

    Multichoice may adopt new subscription models

    MultiChoice Africa, the continent’s top pay-TV service, may adopt new subscription models.

    The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of MultiChoice Africa Mr. Tim Jacobs stated this Wednesday at the 2015 Content Showcase Extravaganza holding at Outrigger Beach Resort in Mauritius.

    According to Jacobs on account of subscribers’ request for more flexibility in subscription models, the company is willing to adopt new billing models.

    It is looking at various options, the CEO said.

    Jacobs explained that the recent hike in subscription rates was on account of rising programming costs and devaluation of national currencies across Africa.

  • MultiChoice boosts capacity of installers

    MultiChoice boosts capacity of installers

    IN its quest  to improve the quality of DStv installations, and offer superior after-sales services, MultiChoice, Nigeria’s leading video entertainment company has trained and accredited 500 installers. They will join the existing base of installers and will be responsible for new installations, as well as the provision of maintenance services to existing subscribers.

    MultiChoice Nigeria has also introduced tricycles that have been stocked with high quality installation equipment. Upon completion of their training, the installers will be handed the tricycles to ease their travel logistics.

    According to General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. Martin Mabutho, the introduction of the tricycle-scheme is MultiChoice’s way of stretching its economic empowerment drive by engaging Nigerian youth through a private sector entrepreneurial scheme. “We are helping to create a new pool of expertise through these MultiChoice trained satellite television installers and engineers which will consequently grow the nation’s economy,” Mabutho said.

    Mabutho explained that the tricycles would be used by a selected team dubbed “Elite Installers”.

    The first recipients of the pilot phase of the nationwide scheme are six installers but before the end of the year, more beneficiaries will be selected from major cities across the country. In addition, 125 installers in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt have undergone a refresher training course this month.

    The six beneficiaries of the tricycles are Stanley Nwachukwu, Ameen Adesola, Micky Joe, Tope Adeogun, Ibrahim Akinsemohin and Chima Igwe.

    Speaking on the criteria for selecting the beneficiaries of the tricycles, the General Manager Marketing said, MultiChoice selected the installers based on commitment, dedication and diligence.

    “This initiative is aimed at providing the best service to our customers. We train and certify installers, and also ensure that they are equipped with high quality installation tools that will guarantee reduced hitches and minimise repeat installer visits to our customer’s homes. He remarked.”

    Mr Mabutho also urged new and existing subscribers to make more use of the self-help options and convenient payment options such as Paga, Quick Teller and ATMs to resolve DStv issues and payment challenges quickly. Besides the tricycles, each accredited installer will also get a well-equipped tool kit to enable them provide quality installation to subscribers.

    Speaking on the initiative, Mrs. Ijeoma Theo-Obodo, Assistant Director, Monitoring, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) commended MultiChoice for organising the training programme.

    Since MultiChoice commenced operations over two decades, the company has spent over N200 million in training of installers. MultiChoice remains committed to ensuring that more certified installers are trained across the country.

  • Multichoice, little choice

    South African multinationals operating in Nigeria are fast gaining notoriety for shylock practices. Ask the average Nigerian MTN subscriber what he feels about the telecoms giant that has found incredible fortune here and you won’t get any flattering appraisals. Even a dog is not allowed to lap up MTN’s poo, is the refrain in a certain part of the country.

    MTN’s calls termination notice has been object of jokes in some quarters for years:  “Your call credit is exhausted and your call is being TERMINATED!” Yes, the word, terminated is seemingly rendered in capital letters. It comes across as if you were a petty thief trying to pinch credit from MTN. These stingy people never allow people a second extra, many would often grumble.

    But it’s not about MTN today; it is about another South African firm that has so much cause to be charitable to Nigerian subscribers, but rather treats them like dirt. Hardball talks about MultiChoice, the satellite paytv quasi-monopoly. To be fair, this operator of the DSTV channels is not a monopoly. Let’s just say it has more resources and has proved to have a more ingenious business model.

    MultiChoice is not the pioneer paytv firm in Nigeria but again let’s say it stole the thunder from such indigenous firms, such as ABG and even HiTV, later. DSTV blazed the trail by remaking the music channels (with Channel O) to accommodate home-made African music videos. DSTV literally picked Nollywood from the Nigerian bins and made it a huge African brand. It has been doing things with Nigeria’s Premier League; same for basketball and boxing.

    DSTV has played roles that a department of the Nigerian Television Authority (the largest network in Africa!) ought to have pioneered two decades ago, but for crippling mediocrity. Today, the country’s broadcast system is still fossilised in the analog age. It is so sad that to get a crisp view of NTA and most Nigerian channels, it has to be through the DSTV.

    Even at that, what quality of content? A young boy once told his father that the worst punishment he could ever exact upon him was to make him watch NTA for an entire day; that he would simply die of boredom. This is why some Nigerians erroneously describe DSTV as a monopoly; it isn’t. The sky is large enough for all and content abound in the atmosphere. Hardball wagers that we have mined only the tip of the content that is possible in Nigeria and the entire African continent.

    The foregoing notwithstanding, DSTV stands accused of treating her Nigerian consumers with levity and scorn. Last April it increased subscription rates drastically without good reasons. Last week, it blatantly denied subscribers the opportunity of watching the English Premier League, the only reason most people still stick to DSTV.

    DSTV simply created Supersport 5 in the premium bouquet and consigned major EPL matches therein. So the sub-premium Compact-plus subscribers who had paid nearly N10, 000 are brusquely denied the EPL. To think that just four months ago, a sharp increase in rate was executed. Now you have to pay about N14, 000 to get a chance to watch the EPL. And you may wait a month to do that if you had just renewed.

    What an ignominious way to treat loyal subscribers.

  • MULTICHOICE HOSTS FOOTBALL FANS

    MULTICHOICE HOSTS FOOTBALL FANS

    Lovers of football were treated to a full day of unforgettable football action as leading video entertainment provider, MultiChoice Nigeria, hosted them at a live screening of the first group of matches of the Barclays Premier League on Saturday, at Landmark, Victoria Island in Lagos.

    The event teemed with football enthusiasts, including DStv and GOtv subscribers, football analysts and media guests who witnessed a high definition broadcast of the matches alongside live studio commentary and analysis from SuperSport on-air personalities.

    General Manager, Marketing and Sales, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho said :“The new football season kick-off event has become an annual occurrence. It is designed to bring the game of football closer to viewers while creating a convivial atmosphere of fun and excitement which sets the tone for the season.

    “DStv and GOtv subscribers are in for a bumper soccer season with SuperSport as the Barclays Premier League commences on Saturday. Throughout the football season, SuperSport will showcase over 900 live international matches, an offering unmatched anywhere on the continent”, he said.

    Mabutho also thanked broadcast sponsors Guinness, Glo and Samsung for partnering with MultiChoice and for their contributions to making the SuperSport live screening of the 2015/2016 European football season kick-off event a memorable one.

  • MultiChoice revamps Compact Bouquet

    PAY TV Company, MultiChoice Nigeria, has revamped its DStv Compact Bouquet. According to its management, the move is aimed at offering customers better value for their money.

    General Manager, Marketing, MultiChoice Nigeria, Martin Mabutho said the new offering further reiterates the company’s commitment to provide Nigerians with quality entertainment they can afford.

    “DStv Compact is designed for our young, cool and trendy subscribers who desire premium content in a bouquet that is affordable and fits perfectly into their lifestyle. We have refreshed the bouquet to include some premium channels as well as BoxOffice for access to block buster movies for subscribers who have the Explora decoder,” he said.

    Mabutho added that the bouquet now comes with new channels, including M-City, Eva, AfricaMagic Igbo, AfricaMagic Urban, AfricaMagic Epic,Zee World, as well as all the channels on the Family and Access bouquets.

    Subscribers to the bouquet, he said, will also enjoy a wide selection of the latest movies and series both local and international such as Do Good, Blue Blood, Desperate Housewives, The Fixer and a whole lot more.

    Head of Marketing and Communication, Viacom Nigeria, Colette Otusheso, expresses joy over the new bouquet. According to her, the Compact platform is a very important one as it reaches even more people.

    “Viacom is an entertainment platform and what we do is that we make sure that we give to everybody. The platform is a good one and we are glad that they have more of our channel on their new Compact Bouquet, she said.

  • Multichoice partners KBC for Obama’s visit

    Multichoice partners KBC for Obama’s visit

    As Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta hosts his US counterpart, President Barack Obama, MultiChoice Africa has partnered Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) to provide a comprehensive coverage of the visit. This includes all public events featuring President Kenyatta and President Obama.

    According to the management of Multichoice, beginning today to Tuesday, July 28, DStv and GOtv will be at the centre of the ‘Obama-mania’ action in Kenya. KBC will broadcast all the events live on KBC Channel 1 and Heritage TV in Kenya.

    “We are thrilled to open up this channel dedicated to providing the whole of Africa with first-hand information about this significant moment for Kenya, and indeed the rest of the world. As part of our commitment to providing our subscribers with relevant and up-to-date, world class news and current affairs, this dedicated channel promises to provide gripping coverage of the tour by US President Barack Obama and his host, Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta,” said the CEO of MultiChoice Africa, Tim Jacobs.

    “We are delighted to partner MultiChoice on yet another momentous period in Kenya’s history,” said KBC Managing Director and MultiChoice Kenya Chairman, Waithaka Waihenya.

    Obama is expected in Nairobi, Kenya from Friday where he will attend the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2015 (GES 2015) organised by the White House which gathers entrepreneurs and investors from around the world. Kenya will host 3,000 investors, government officials, private sector players, entrepreneurs, innovators and the world’s media during the 3-day summit. This will be the first time the international Global Entrepreneurship Summit will be hosted in sub-Saharan Africa.

  • Consumer rights violation: MultiChoice pledges to cooperate with CPC

    Consumer rights violation: MultiChoice pledges to cooperate with CPC

    MultiChoice Nigeria, promoters of DStv, have promised to cooperate with the Consumer Protection Council (CPC), which recently announced its intention to probe alleged consumer rights violations by the pay-TV company.

    MultiChoice was responding to media reports on yesterday that a notice of commencement of investigation into a range of alleged customer rights violations had been served on it by the CPC.

    In a statement yesterday, the pay-TV provider said it recognises the role of the CPC as the body established to ensure the respect of consumer rights, adding that it welcomes its intervention and is willing to cooperate fully with the CPC when it begins its investigation.

    Its Public Relations Manager, Caroline Oghuma said: “We welcome any inquiry into our operations and we assure the CPC of our full cooperation at every step of the inquiry.

    “We are in total support of any inquiry that will lead to improvement in our services to our subscribers and we hope that the outcome will deliver improved services to Nigerians.

    “As a company that puts  premium on our relationship with subscribers, we will embrace any intervention that will lead to a better customer experience.”