AGAIN! StarTimes INCREASES SUBSCRIPTION FEE

Five months after increasing subscription by between 20 per cent and 35 per cent, StarTimes, the Chinese-owned pay-TV provider, has announced another increase in tariff.

The new rate, which takes effect on October 1, will affect subscribers on its Unique Bouquet.The increase in subscription, which has been communicated to subscribers via phone calls, text messages and email, is the second of such this year.When it takes effect, subscribers on StarTimes Unique Bouquet will pay N4,800 instead of the N3,600 they currently pay.According to the company, the increase is as a result of the introduction of additional sporting content, notably the German football league (Bundesliga) and Italian football league (Serie A).The company has been calling subscribers to make bulk subscription payments to have some respite from the new rate, which kicks in at the beginning of next month.

In April, StarTimes increased monthly subscription on its Basic bouquet to N1,200, Classic bouquet to N2,400 and Unique bouquet to N3,600.The company did not display information on the price hike on its website.Many saw this as an apparent desire to mute subscriber discontent.The new increase has also been kept away from the website for the same purpose.