DStv, GOtv subscribers face activation delays as Premier League returns
By Aboki Forex —
Nigerian subscribers to MultiChoice Nigeria’s DStv and GOtv say their subscriptions are not being activated after payment, just as the English Premier League returned for the 2026/27 season. Complaints flooded the company’s social media pages on August 21, 2026, with many customers worried about missing matches.
Subscribers voice frustration
Several subscribers said their payments remained pending or had not reflected hours after they paid. 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 could not get help 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 said his Smartnumber subscription was not reflecting and appealed for assistance. 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 paid the previous evening but still could not use the service. “Hello I made payments since 6pm yesterday and till now it’s doesn’t work.”
Estelle reported a specific error after paying 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???”
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 delays or confirming a wider technical issue.
Subscription losses and price pressure
The complaints come as MultiChoice Nigeria faces sustained pressure on its subscriber base. Nairametrics reported in November 2024 that MultiChoice Nigeria lost 243,000 subscribers across DStv and GOtv between April and September 2024. That formed a large part of the 566,000 subscribers lost across MultiChoice’s Rest of Africa operations in the six-month period, with Nigeria and Zambia accounting for most of the decline.
MultiChoice blamed difficult economic conditions for the Nigerian losses, while Zambia’s decline was linked partly to prolonged power outages. The company also reported an 18% decline in its Nigerian subscriber base for the financial year ended March 2024.
Household incomes have been squeezed by rising food, electricity and fuel costs, while streaming platforms offer growing competition.
MultiChoice has also raised DStv and GOtv prices three times within 12 months, in April 2023, November 2023 and May 2024, amid rising inflation. The May 2024 increase led to a dispute with the Competition and Consumer Protection Tribunal, which ordered MultiChoice to suspend the review. The company went ahead, and the tribunal imposed a N150 million fine and ordered a one-month free subscription for Nigerian subscribers.
In December 2024, MultiChoice announced 72-hour free access to all DStv channels and GOtv services, including for disconnected subscribers, as a seasonal offer. Another subscription price increase was scheduled for March 1, 2025, prompting the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission to summon the company for an investigative hearing.
What it means for consumers
The latest activation delays add to the frustrations facing pay-TV subscribers who are already paying more for services. With the Premier League season underway, affected customers are not just losing money, they are missing the matches they paid to watch.