If your main reason for wanting pay TV isn't the Premier League or Champions League, Startimes is very likely the cheapest way to get a full range of entertainment channels in your home — and the price gap between it and DStv or GOtv is not small. The ₦2,100 Nova package alone is the lowest-priced cable TV subscription from any major Nigerian provider, and every tier above it continues to undercut the DStv and GOtv equivalent by a meaningful margin. This guide explains every package, what you actually get on each one, and what Startimes can and cannot offer sports fans specifically, so you make the right call before spending money on a decoder.

Quick Answer

Startimes packages start at ₦2,100 per month (Nova), making it the cheapest cable TV subscription in Nigeria. Unlike DStv and GOtv, Startimes does not broadcast the English Premier League, Champions League, or La Liga — but it does carry the Bundesliga, Europa League finals, FA Cup, and other competitions on its higher packages. If Premier League is your priority, Startimes is not the right platform. If you want varied entertainment and news at the lowest possible price, it almost certainly is.

Startimes Decoder Types — Antenna vs Satellite Dish

Startimes is unique among Nigerian cable TV providers in offering two completely different signal types, and the packages differ significantly between them:

  • DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television) — uses an antenna, similar to GOtv. Cheaper to set up. Signal quality depends on your proximity to Startimes' terrestrial transmission towers, so reception varies by location. Packages available: Nova, Basic, Classic.
  • DTH (Direct-to-Home Satellite) — uses a small satellite dish, similar to DStv. More reliable signal across a wider range of locations. Higher channel count. Packages available: Nova, Basic/Smart, Super, Chinese.

Which one you should get depends on your location and budget. The DTT antenna setup costs less upfront and is simpler to install; the DTH dish is more reliable in areas where the terrestrial signal is weak.

Startimes Packages and Prices 2026 — Full Table

DTT (Antenna) Packages

Package Monthly Price Approx. Channels Best For
Nova ₦2,100 40+ Local Nigerian channels, basic entertainment, news
Basic ₦4,000–₦5,100 45–70 Families wanting movies, kids channels, more variety
Classic ₦6,000 70–100+ Sports highlights, international entertainment, comprehensive content

DTH (Dish/Satellite) Packages

Package Monthly Price Approx. Channels Best For
Nova ₦2,100 30 Entry-level on dish; same price as antenna Nova but fewer channels
Smart ₦5,100 35–46 Movie, kids, and lifestyle viewers on dish
Super ₦8,200–₦9,800 55–70+ Sports fans (Bundesliga, FA Cup); HD content
Classic ₦6,000–₦7,400 70+ Comprehensive entertainment, sports highlights
Chinese ₦16,000+ 100+ Households wanting Chinese language channels in addition to standard content

Prices reflect 2026 rates from multiple sources. Startimes prices vary slightly by location and current promotions — always confirm on the official Startimes Nigeria website or the StarTimes ON app before subscribing.

Each Package, Explained

Nova — ₦2,100/month

The most affordable cable TV subscription currently available in Nigeria from any major provider. Over 40 channels on the antenna version, around 30 on the dish version. Includes local Nigerian channels, basic entertainment, kids content, news (including international news on some channel slots), music, and religious channels. No live football beyond sports highlights. Best for tight budgets, secondary TVs, or households that primarily want local content with a broader channel count than free-to-air. The daily and weekly subscription options also make Nova the only package in Nigeria where you can pay for just a day's viewing if you need it.

Basic — ₦4,000–₦5,100/month

The family sweet spot according to most Startimes subscribers. Adds Nollywood channels (ST Nollywood Plus, ST Yoruba), Nickelodeon, JimJam for kids, more movie channels including ST Movies, lifestyle content, and a wider music selection. Still focused on entertainment rather than sports — you get sports highlight channels and analysis shows, but not live football matches. For families where children's programming is the primary driver of the subscription, and where Nollywood movies are a daily staple, Basic is typically where they land and stay without ever feeling the need to upgrade.

Classic — ₦6,000–₦7,400/month

Where Startimes starts competing more seriously with DStv Confam and GOtv Jolli on content variety. Adds ST World Football, ST Sports Premium, ST Sports Arena, ESPN (selected events), international entertainment including BET, FOX, E! Entertainment, MTV, Bloomberg, CNBC Africa, AMC Movies, ST Zone, and documentary channels including Discovery Science and CGTN Documentary. The ST World Football and ST Sports Premium channels are the platform's sports backbone — Bundesliga, FA Cup, Europa League, and other competitions air here. Best for viewers who want a comprehensive channel package with meaningful sports access that isn't focused on the Premier League.

Super — ₦8,200–₦9,800/month

The top tier for sports on the dish platform, with the most complete version of Startimes' sports offering including HD content and all premium sports and movie channels. If you're comparing Startimes against GOtv for sports specifically, Super is the package to put next to GOtv Max on the comparison table — they're in a similar price range, with the key difference being that GOtv Max has selected EPL while Startimes Super has no EPL but carries Bundesliga and other competitions with better picture quality and more dedicated sports channels overall. Households that follow German football, Saudi football, or combat sports often find Super excellent value compared to the sports tier costs on DStv or GOtv.

Chinese Package — ₦16,000+/month

A specialist package adding 17 Chinese language channels on top of the standard content. Primarily relevant for Nigerian households with Chinese-speaking family members or business connections. Not a typical mainstream consumer choice but worth noting since it's Startimes' most expensive tier and a reflection of the company's Chinese ownership and content infrastructure.

What Sport Does Startimes Carry?

This is the question that matters most. Here's the honest answer:

Competition On Startimes?
English Premier League (EPL) No — not on any Startimes package
UEFA Champions League No
La Liga No
Bundesliga Yes — Classic and Super
UEFA Europa League (selected matches and finals) Yes — Classic and Super
FA Cup (selected matches) Yes — Classic and Super
Chinese Super League Yes
Roshn Saudi League Yes (ST World Football channel)
Sports highlights and analysis Yes — from Basic upward

Startimes does not have broadcast rights to the Premier League, Champions League, or La Liga in Nigeria — these are exclusively with MultiChoice (SuperSport) among the major pay TV providers. If these competitions are your primary reason for wanting cable TV, Startimes cannot provide them. If you follow German football, European competitions beyond the Champions League, or want sports variety rather than specifically English top-flight football, the Classic or Super package delivers real value.

Startimes' Key Advantages Over DStv and GOtv

Price — the gap is significant. Nova at ₦2,100 versus GOtv Smallie at ₦1,900 is close, but across the middle tiers Startimes is consistently cheaper for the channel count delivered.

Daily and weekly subscriptions — Startimes is the only major Nigerian pay TV provider that offers day passes and weekly subscriptions, not just monthly. This is valuable for lower-income viewers who can't commit to a full month's cost at once, or for occasional use during a specific event or period.

Nollywood content depth — ST Nollywood Plus, ST Yoruba, and the Iroko Play integration give Startimes a genuinely competitive Nollywood offering that rivals the Africa Magic suite on DStv/GOtv for local movie content.

Chinese content — Startimes' Chinese ownership means it has extensive access to Chinese programming and drama, which is popular with a section of Nigerian viewers and unavailable on DStv or GOtv at any price.

No EPL — this is listed as an advantage intentionally, because viewers who don't follow the Premier League are often paying for it anyway on DStv/GOtv without realising it's the primary reason those platforms cost what they do. Startimes removes that cost if you don't need it.

How to Pay Your Startimes Subscription

  • StarTimes ON app — available on Android; log in with your smartcard number, select your package, and pay with a card or bank transfer. The app also gives up to 20% cashback discount when you subscribe through it.
  • Bank USSD codes — navigate to Pay Bills, then Cable TV or Startimes, enter your smartcard number and amount.
  • Mobile money apps — OPay, PalmPay, and Kuda all support Startimes bill payments.
  • Third-party platforms — VTpass and similar platforms support Startimes renewals.
  • Official Startimes centres and dealers — walk-in payment available.

Finding Your Startimes Smartcard Number

Your smartcard number is on a sticker on the decoder itself, on the decoder's original packaging, or accessible through your decoder's Settings or System Info menu. You need this number for every renewal and account action.

Decoder Setup Costs

  • DTT decoder + antenna kit — approximately ₦9,900 bundled with one month's Classic subscription (current promotions vary)
  • DTH decoder + dish — approximately ₦13,500 to ₦25,000 depending on the bundle tier and promotional pricing at the time of purchase

Startimes runs regular decoder discount promos, particularly around public holidays and football seasons, so it's worth checking their website or visiting a dealer to see what's currently bundled.

Which Package Should You Subscribe To?

Your Situation Recommended Package
Lowest possible cost, local content only Nova
Family entertainment, kids channels, Nollywood Basic
Sports (non-EPL), international entertainment Classic
Best Startimes sports experience with HD Super (DTH)
Follow Bundesliga or Europa League specifically Classic or Super
Need Premier League or Champions League Startimes is not the right platform — consider GOtv Max or DStv Compact

Common Questions

Can I switch packages at any time? Yes. Unlike some providers, Startimes lets you switch to a lower or higher bouquet at any time simply by recharging for the package you want next. Your service will pause when your current subscription expires and resume immediately when you recharge — there's no penalty for switching, and you can go up or down as many times as you want.

Does Startimes have a streaming app? Yes. The StarTimes ON app (available on Android from Google Play) lets you stream channels from your subscribed bouquet on your phone or tablet, and also gives a cashback discount when you subscribe through it instead of a third-party platform.

Can I watch Startimes in HD? HD channels are available on the DTH (dish) packages, particularly on Smart and Super. The antenna (DTT) packages are standard definition. If picture quality matters to you, the dish setup is the right choice.

Is there a free trial or daily subscription? Startimes is one of the only Nigerian pay TV providers offering a day-pass or weekly subscription option in addition to monthly. This makes it accessible for viewers who can't commit to a full month's cost, and useful for testing a package before committing to monthly renewal.

What is the Startimes customer care number? Contact Startimes Nigeria through their official website at startimes.com.ng or call their support line — always check the website for the current number since it has changed more than once. You can also reach them via the StarTimes ON app's support section.

Bookmark this page — we update it whenever Startimes adjusts its package prices or channel lineup. Still not sure whether Startimes fits your household? Drop what channels or sports you care about in the comments and we'll tell you whether any Startimes package covers it, or whether you'd be better served by GOtv or DStv for your specific viewing needs.