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Dstv customers groan over removal of channels


MultiChoice is once again on the spot, this time not for increasing subscription rates but for removing channels.

Dstv subscribers on Thursday took to social media to complain about the latest removal of yet another channel from their bouquets.

The latest omission is the Animal Planet channel which will not be available starting December 10.

In a message to subscribers, the company advised its subscribers to tune into other nature channels that are available on their bouquets stating, “Please tune into Nat Geo Wild (ch 182) and Discovery Channel (ch 121) for nature programming.”

This move by Dstv comes even as the subscribers continue to decry increased subscription rates that were effected last month.

MultiChoice, which bills its customers in dollars, attributed the increase of between 13 per cent and 15 per cent to the depreciating shilling.

Subscribers on the Premium (most expensive) tariff plan had their rates revised from Sh8,200 to Sh9,400 per month.

The lowest-priced tariff plan increased from Sh980 to Sh1,050 a month while the Compact Plus tariff plan went up from Sh5,550 to Sh6,400.

CHANNEL CLOSURE

Earlier this month Dstv Kenya notified its subscribers that two BET channels will be consolidated into one starting December 1.

In mid-October, subscribers were notified that yet another channel the Travel channel had been removed from the bouquets.

The firm has been responding to its customers enquiries online by saying that the removal of channels is meant to enhance viewing.

One of the customers @WambuguGash tweeted, “@DStv_Kenya @ConsumersKenya Animal Planet to soon stop airing. REALLY. Seems like the more I pay, the less value I get from DSTV.#NoToDstv.”

To that the company stated, “@WambuguGash Hi, please note we review the performance of the channels on our platforms to achieve a diverse variety of programming.^Eric.”

The user went on to lament that there have been no additions to diversify the programming tweeting, “@DStv_Kenya contrary to Ur saying, I have just been receiving notifications of channel closure, not additions.”

And to that the company replied, “@WambuguGash Hi, kindly note that we do add channels as they become available for offering.^Eric.”

In September, the Consumer Federation of Kenya launched a petition aimed at demanding an explanation from Dstv over increased subscription rates.

The consumer lobby group urged Kenyans to sign the petition so as to demand an explanation and perhaps a review.