So Much More Exploitation

For a long time now, people have been suffering in the hands of the biggest Pay TV provider in Kenya, DSTV. Taking advantage of their exclusive rights to air English Premier League games, Multichoice has continued to charge very high fees. A few years back, it was thought that whatever DSTV was charging was the industry standard, but since the emergence of other Pay TV providers such as Startimes and Zuku, it is now clear that DSTV has been exploiting us. 
With Sh 4000 a month, Zuku will give you more than you can use. Over 100 channels, a phone line, and a 1 Mbps unlimited internet connection throughout the month. For the same amount on DSTV, all you get are some TV and audio stations, most of which you’ll never use. 
For Sh 999 every month, you can enjoy Zuku Pay TV with access to channels DSTV cannot offer in its cheapest package. 
Making the matters worse for football lovers, the Super Sport channels that air English Premier League matches are not available to the cheap packages. So if you have DSTV but cannot pay Sh 7000 a month, you are forced to go watch in pubs.
This is an open letter addressed to DSTV by a disgruntled customer.

“I’m writing this as an esteemed client for the last couple of years and I wish to state that the quality of programmes are way below my expectations. You have been repeating movies and documentaries at an amazing rate and still charging us exorbitant fees.

Last night on M-net Action, Con-Air was being screened for the 12th time in 40 days!!! I look at the comedy channel and there’s nothing to smile about. You are screening comedies that were the in thing in the early ’90s, way before Tupac’s death!!!

While I do understand that repetitions are a must in the pay TV business, you have taken to a whole new level. Matter of fact, apart from SuperSport, ESPN, BBC Knowledge and the Discoveries channels, everything else borders a fraud.

I honestly can’t wait for my subscription to expire so that I can join either Zuku or Starcom. Zuku are offering more channels than you, internet connection and a land line at a cheaper rate than your premium package. Starcom on the other hand are screening updated reality TV programmes like the Kardashians, Amazing Race etc.

They are also screening the latest flicks like Spiderman and Batman while you are busy feeding us Con-Air and Walker, the Texas ranger! Come on, you do realize that you are milking us dry and giving us substandard programmes. Could you please introduce a sports only package, SuperSports and ESPN or I jump ship.

I have figured that I can get quality pay TV from Starcom for Kshs. 500 per month and a one time connection fee of Kshs. 4,000 which I shall raise from the sale of my DSTV dish as scrap metal. Then, I shall be watching the EPL/La Liga games at my local pub where even if I consume four beers per game every weekend, it will be way below the Kshs. 6,900 you are charging me for substandard programmes and outdated movies.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Chuck Norris on my screen! Over to you DStv Kenya.

PS- I’m actually watching another repeat on the Universal Channel even as I type this letter!!!”

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