StarTimes is a Chinese-owned pay-TV operator with one of the largest digital TV footprints in Sub-Saharan Africa. In Nigeria, StarTimes runs both DTT (antenna) and DTH (dish) services and offers some of the cheapest mainstream pay-TV bouquets in the country. This guide covers current packages and prices, decoder costs, channel highlights, payment methods, error fixes and customer care.
How StarTimes Works in Nigeria
StarTimes runs two parallel platforms:
- DTT (Digital Terrestrial Television): Cheaper, decoded with an indoor or outdoor Yagi antenna. Coverage is strongest in major Nigerian cities.
- DTH (Direct-to-Home): Satellite dish service with full national coverage, more bouquets and HD channels.
You also get StarTimes ON — a mobile streaming app with daily, weekly and monthly passes that mirrors most of the linear TV content.
StarTimes Nigeria Packages and Prices
Prices below reflect the current StarTimes Nigeria tariff card. Pay-TV pricing in Nigeria is reviewed often — confirm the figure on the StarTimes app, USSD or call 094618888 before paying.
DTT (Antenna) Bouquets
| Bouquet | Monthly Price | Approx. Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Nova | ₦1,700 | 30+ |
| Basic | ₦3,000 | 70+ |
| Classic | ₦4,500 | 100+ |
DTH (Dish) Bouquets
| Bouquet | Monthly Price | Approx. Channels |
|---|---|---|
| Nova | ₦900 | 30+ |
| Smart | ₦3,800 | 40+ |
| Super | ₦7,500 | 25 (premium-tier) |
| Chinese | ₦14,000 | 20 |
| Sport Plus | ₦2,500 | 4 sport channels |
StarTimes ON (Mobile App)
| Plan | Price | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Daily | ₦150 | 1 day |
| Weekly | ₦450 | 7 days |
| Monthly | ₦1,500 | 30 days |
StarTimes Decoder Prices
| Hardware | Price Range |
|---|---|
| DTT decoder + antenna + 1 month Classic | ₦16,600 |
| DTT decoder only + 1 month Classic | ₦14,000 |
| DTH decoder + dish + 1 month Smart | ₦20,000 |
| DTH decoder + dish + 1 month Super | ₦25,000 |
| HD DTH decoder + dish (full kit) | ₦40,000–₦46,000 |
| 10m Yagi outdoor antenna (replacement) | ₦1,900 |
StarTimes Channel Highlights
News
BBC World News, Al Jazeera, Sky News, France 24, CGTN, Bloomberg TV, Africa News, TVC News, Channels TV, AIT.
Sports
ST Sports Premium, ST Sports Arena, ST Sports Life, ST World Football HD, ESPN, ESPN 2. StarTimes carries selected English Premier League, Bundesliga and La Liga matches under sub-licensing deals.
Movies and Series
ST Movies Plus, ST Nollywood Plus, AMC Movies, AMC Series, Fox, FX Africa, Star Gold, Zee Cinema, TLNovelas, ST Bollywood.
Kids
Nickelodeon, Baby TV, CBeebies, JimJam, DreamWorks, Toonami, ST Kids.
Local and Indigenous
ST Adepa (Twi), ST Yoruba, ST Naija, Arewa 24, ST Dadin Kowa, Farin Wata (Hausa), Orisun, Isi Mbido (Igbo), ST Swahili.
How to Subscribe to StarTimes
Method 1 — StarTimes Mobile App
- Download StarTimes ON from Play Store (Android) or App Store (iOS).
- Open the app, tap Services → SmartCard, add your smartcard number.
- Tap Recharge, choose payment option (USSD, card, coupon) and confirm.
Method 2 — USSD
Dial *322*1# from your StarTimes-registered phone. Follow prompts. To change package, dial *858# and select Package Change.
Method 3 — GTBank USSD
Dial *737*37*Amount*SmartcardNumber# from a GTBank-linked phone.
Method 4 — Quickteller / Bank ATM
- Insert ATM card, select Quickteller → Pay Bill → Other.
- Enter merchant code 240534.
- Enter your smartcard number, select amount, confirm.
Method 5 — Paga
Log into paga.com, choose Pay Bill, pick StarTimes, enter amount and smartcard number, complete payment.
Method 6 — SMS
Send CC#SmartcardNumber#PIN to 32055.
How to Activate a New StarTimes Account
After purchase, mount the antenna or dish, connect the decoder, then run an automatic search (Menu → System Settings → Automatic Search → Yes). Once channels load, your decoder shows the smartcard number on screen — call StarTimes customer care on 094618888 with your smartcard number and serial number to register the decoder under your name and activate your bouquet. Or activate inside the StarTimes ON app under SmartCard.
How to Fix Common StarTimes Errors
No Signal
Re-aim your antenna toward the nearest StarTimes transmitter. For DTT users, an outdoor Yagi antenna mounted at roof height usually fixes signal issues. For DTH, check that the LNB cable is firmly connected and the dish is not obstructed by trees, walls or rain.
No Service
Run an automatic search. Menu → System Settings → Automatic Search → Yes → OK. If the issue persists, call 094618888.
No Access / Not Subscribed (E16, E48)
Subscription has expired or hasn’t synced. Pay your renewal then send your smartcard number to 32055 by SMS to push activation. Leave the decoder on for at least 30 minutes for the signal to refresh.
Smartcard Not Paired / Wrong Pairing
The smartcard belongs to a different decoder. Visit the nearest StarTimes business hall with your decoder and smartcard, or call 094618888.
Decoder Won’t Power On
Confirm the AC plug is firmly inserted and the wall outlet is live. If the standby light works but the decoder won’t switch on, replace the remote batteries first. If still dead, the power board is faulty — visit a business hall.
Auto-Rebooting
Decoder powers on, then off, repeatedly. Usually a failed firmware update. Visit a StarTimes business hall for a manual upgrade. Codes “8888” or “9999” mean the decoder is searching for a software file — leave it on for an hour; if no improvement, take it in.
No Picture, No Sound
- Confirm the antenna or LNB cable is screwed into the back of the decoder, not loose.
- Match audio-out to audio-in and video-out to video-in.
- Set the TV to the correct AV/HDMI input.
- If the screen still shows a blue or black field, swap the HDMI/AV cable.
StarTimes Nigeria Customer Care
| Customer Care Phone | 094618888 / 014618888 |
| USSD | *322*1# |
| SMS Activation | 32055 |
| Website | startimestv.com |
| @StarTimesNG | |
| Twitter / X | @StarTimes_Ng |
| facebook.com/StarTimesNG | |
| Head Office | Polaris Bank Building, Fatai Atere Way, Capa Junction, Mushin, Lagos |
StarTimes vs. GOtv vs. DStv: Quick Comparison
- Cheapest entry point: StarTimes Nova ₦900 (DTH) is currently the cheapest legitimate monthly pay-TV in Nigeria.
- Channel range: DStv leads on premium sport (SuperSport bouquet) and movies. StarTimes leads on price and language diversity (Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Twi, Swahili, Chinese channels).
- Decoder cost: StarTimes DTT kit (₦16,600) is roughly half the cost of a GOtv kit and a fraction of a DStv Explora.
- Hardware reliability: StarTimes decoders need firmware updates over the air more often than DStv/GOtv decoders. Expect occasional reboot loops on older units.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest StarTimes package in Nigeria?
Nova on DTH at ₦900 per month is the cheapest. Nova on DTT (antenna) is ₦1,700 per month.
How many channels are on the StarTimes Basic package?
Around 70 channels on DTT for ₦3,000 a month — including news, kids, light sports, Nollywood and indigenous-language channels.
Can I change my StarTimes package?
Yes. Dial *858# from your StarTimes-registered number, choose Package Change, select decoder type (DTT or DTH), pick the new bouquet. You can also change packages inside the StarTimes ON app or by calling 094618888.
Does StarTimes show the English Premier League?
StarTimes carries selected EPL matches each round under regional sub-licensing — not every fixture is available, especially top-of-the-table games which usually go to SuperSport. The Bundesliga and La Liga have wider StarTimes coverage.
How do I activate StarTimes after payment?
After paying, send your smartcard number by SMS to 32055, or open the StarTimes ON app and refresh under SmartCard. Leave the decoder powered on for at least 30 minutes for the signal to push the new subscription.
Why does my StarTimes channel list look empty?
You probably ran an auto-search while showing No Signal. Fix the antenna or LNB connection first, then run the auto-search again so the decoder picks up the live transponders.
What is StarTimes ON?
StarTimes ON is the StarTimes mobile and web streaming service. It carries 60+ live channels, video-on-demand, and a free tier (about 50 channels) that doesn’t need a subscription. Sports-only and full-content monthly plans are available.
How do I file a complaint with StarTimes?
Use the in-app Help button (StarTimes ON → top-right corner) and choose Self-Service to log a ticket. For voice support call 094618888 or 014618888 between 7:00 and 20:00. For written complaints, email customercare@startimestv.com or DM the verified social handles.
Is StarTimes cheaper than GOtv?
Yes, at the entry tier. Nova at ₦900 (DTH) and ₦1,700 (DTT) is below the cheapest GOtv bouquet. As you climb the bouquet ladder the price gap closes, with GOtv typically pulling ahead on Premier League access at the mid-to-top tiers.
What is the StarTimes customer care number in Nigeria?
094618888 or 014618888. International StarTimes regional lines: +254 719 077 077 (Kenya), +255 764 700 800 (Tanzania), +260 211 268 882 (Zambia).
Can I pay using my First Bank app?