DSTV is a leading Satellite cable TV service from Multichoice in Nigeria and across Africa. The service offers direct-to-home DTH pay TV services to customers across Africa and boasts of one of the cheapest pay TV packages in Nigeria as well as innovative services like HD channels, HD PVR decoders, and mobile streaming services like DSTV Now and Showmax. On this page, you will find information on DSTV Subscription prices, Explora decoder, HD PVR, decoders, packages or bouquets, HD channels, SD channels, DSTV App, and prices of different DSTV packages.
Multichoice has the DSTV Compact Plus package targeted at sports lovers and has introduced three affordable packages in the DSTV Padi, DSTV Yanga, and DSTV Confam which replace the discontinued Access and Family packages.
You will also find information on how to order for or subscribe to DSTV from dealers in Nigeria as well as information about the Explora Decoder.
HD channels currently available on DSTV include:
- MNET West HD
- MNET Movies 1 HD
- MNET Movies 2 HD
- MNET Movies 3 HD
- MNET Movies 4 HD
- Studio Universal HD
- Movie Room HD
- KIX HD
- Discovery Channel HD
- WWE Channel HD
- TLC HD
- Discovery Family HD
- Maisha Magic Movies HD
- Akwaba Magic HD
- Africa Magic Showcase HD
- Africa Magic Epic HD
- Maisha Magic Bongo HD
- Africa Magic Urban HD
- Maisha Magic Plus HD
- Zee World HD
- Discovery ID HD
- SuperSport Blitz HD
- SuperSport Grandstand HD
- SuperSport Football Plus Nigeria HD
- SuperSport Premier League HD
- SuperSport La Liga HD
- SuperSport Football HD
- SuperSport Variety 2 HD
- SuperSport Action HD
- SuperSport Tennis HD
- SuperSport Motorsport HD
- ESPN HD
HD offers crisp and bright pictures as well as crystal-clear sound.
Barclays English Premier League is available on DSTV. So, if you want to watch all 380 matches live, you are better off with the pay-TV service.
However, to be able to view all SuperSport channels that show the Barclays Premier League and UEFA Champions League in Nigeria, you have to subscribe to the DSTV Compact Plus package, which goes for ₦25,000/month.
A package of over 160 channels, including 38 HD channels is available on DSTV Premium, which costs ₦37,000 monthly. The Premium package also comes with a free subscription to the Showmax streaming service.
The Compact package also offers some more sports channels.
DSTV Explora Decoder
DSTV Explora is the most advanced decoder from Multichoice. It offers a lot of features that offer a great viewing experience.
The Explora is an HD PVR decoder. This means you can watch high-quality HD content from HD channels. It also means you can record content on the decoder. According to Multichoice, the Explora can record up to 220 hours of content.
However, Explora decoder is not just a PVR decoder, it also comes with internet access allowing you to stream and download content online.
The DSTV Catchup feature enables you to catch up with programs you may have missed, plus other content. The DSTV BoxOffice gives you exclusive access to the latest blockbuster movies.
You can rent and download any of the available movies and keep them for up to 48 hours.
The price of the Explora decoder is currently put at 270,000 Naira with installation kit (Dish, smart LNB, etc), though a couple of merchants on Jumia currently sell the Explora decoder for between 275,000 and 310,000 Naira. The offers on Jumia usually add a one-month subscription to Compact, Compact Plus, or Premium packages
DSTV SD an HD PVR Decoders
To receive DSTV channels, subscribers require a satellite dish (with dish kit like LNB, etc), a DSTV decoder (HD Decoder or Explora Decoder), a smart card, and a remote control.
DSTV is a pay Satellite TV service, so signals are encrypted. By paying your subscription and slotting your smart card in your decoder, your decoder will be enabled to decode the encrypted digital TV signals.
DSTV offers HD-ready Personal Video Recording, PVR for short built into the Explora, which can combine perfectly with your HD decoder for Xtraview, enabling you to watch two channels while recording another two channels, all simultaneously.
The Explora enables subscribers to record live TV programmes and greatly improves user experience. With the Explora decoder, subscribers can record up to 110 hours of programming.
Imagine being able to pause live programmes, maybe when answering a call, and starting exactly where you stopped with a click of a button.
DSTV Explora decoders come with an instant replay feature, just press a button and the last 20 seconds of the programme will be replayed. Other possibilities of the HD PVR decoders include rewinding and fast-forwarding live TV and recording live TV programmes.
Recording is not the only advantage of the Explora, the HD stands for High Definition, which means that you get more details on your HDTV when watching the new HD channels.
Your HD PVR decoder delivers crispier, brighter, smoother, and more colorful pictures to your living room. You also get better sound quality.
The HD PVR decoders will cost more than classic/standard decoders but will add value to your user experience.
To make your HD PVR decoder more useful, DSTV now has seven high-definition (HD) channels. DSTV Premium subscribers with HD PVR decoders will now be able to watch dedicated HD channels.
To experience the full power of HD, you may require some hardware upgrade in addition to the HD PVR decoder. This includes an HD ready TV (HDTV) and a surround sound system (Home theatre).
DSTV Channels
It is no longer news that DSTV has the best selection of channels of any direct-to-home Satellite TV service in Nigeria or Africa.
DSTV signals are High-quality digital TV signals with HD channels now a part of the mix. Watch exciting DSTV channels for your news, documentaries, live sports, entertainment and so much more.
Some popular DSTV channels include:
- CNN
- BBC News
- MNET Movies HD
- Africa Magic Showcase HD
- SuperSport Channels (Grandstand, Football Plus, Premier League, La Liga, Football, Variety 1, Variety 2, Variety 3, Variety 4, Action, Rugby, Cricket, Golf, Tennis, Motorsport, WWE, Maximo 1, Maximo 2)
- SuperSport BLITZ
- ESPN
- ESPN 2 HD
- E! Entertainment
- Channel O
- CNBC Africa
- Africa Magic Showcase HD
- Africa Magic Epic HD
- Africa Magic Urban HD
- Africa Magic Hausa
- Africa Magic Yoruba
- Africa Magic Igbo
- ESPN
- Telemundo
- Zee World HD
- MNET Movies 1 HD
- MNET Movies 2 HD
- MNET Movies 3 HD
- MNET Movies 4 HD
- ROK
- Food Network
- NTA International
- National Geographic (Nat Geo)
- History
- KIX
- Dizi
- Fox
- Fox Life
- WWE Channel HD
- BET
- Magic World
- Discovery Channel HD
- Universal TV
- BBC Brit
- BBC Lifestyle
- TBN
- ITV Choice
- Cartoon Network
- Studio Universal HD (formally Hallmark and Universal Channels)
- Sky News
- Comedy Central
- LifeTime
- and so much more
Note that not all channels will be available in all DSTV packages, so verify what channels are included in your DSTV bouquet before you buy.
DSTV Packages, Bouquets, and Products
DSTV currently offers six bouquets in Nigeria. In order of the number of channels they provide and prices:
- DSTV Padi
- DSTV Yanga
- DSTV Confam
- DSTV Compact
- DSTV Compact Plus
- DSTV Premium
- DSTV Access (Discontinued in 2020)
- DSTV Family (Discontinued in 2020)
DSTV Mobile (with compatible mobile devices) used to be a thing with DSTV Mobile Devices. However, it appears the service is no longer being offered by DSTV.
The company seems to have replaced it with the DSTV Now service which now enables you to stream live TV on your smartphone.
You can also catch up with series and programmes you missed on TV by watching them on your smartphone. To access DSTV Now (a.k.a the DSTV App), just download the app on Play Store or App Store.
With a good VPN, you can now watch DSTV when you travel for a vacation outside Nigeria and Africa by streaming via the DSTV App.
The DSTV Padi is the cheapest package offering the least number of channels. DSTV Yanga, Confam, Compact, and DSTV Compact Plus bouquets follow this in that order. DSTV Access and Family have been discontinued, and replaced by Padi/Yanga and Confam respectively.
The Premium package offers the largest channel option and is the most expensive at 37,000 Naira monthly subscription. The premium package also comes with a free subscription to the Showmax streaming service.
The Compact Plus package offers all Compact channels but adds more sports channels. It sits between the Compact and Premium packages.
DSTV also has special bouquets for non-English speaking audiences. This may include:
- Indian Bouquets
- French Bouquets
- German Bouquets
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DSTV Packages and Bouquets Prices
DSTV initial access cost ranges from ₦29,900 to ₦350,000 depending on your setup. This will include the cost of the satellite dish (with dish kit) and decoder. This price may also be bundled with a subscription for one month or more. You will pay for installation and cables separately.
The promo entry deal usually includes the satellite dish (with dish kit), an HD decoder, and a one-month subscription to the Comfam package. This bundle currently goes for ₦31,900.
You can watch Big Brother Naija on all Bouquets except the Padi package. You can also watch Big Brother Titan on all DSTV packages.
1. DSTV Padi (₦3,600 per Month):
DSTV Padi bouquet offers over 45 channels mostly local and international TV channels, like BBC World News, CNC World, Telemundo, Televista, B4U Movies, Africa Magic (Igbo, Hausa, Yoruba), NatGeo Wild, Spice TV, SilverBird, NTA 2, NTA News 24, Galaxy TV, AIT, Channels TV, SuperSport BLITZ, Jim Jam, Mindset, and so on.
CNN, most MNET channels, and most SuperSport channels are missing in this package the last time we checked. You also get audio channels with the Padi plan.
The Padi package is an entry-level cable package.
2. DSTV Yanga (₦5,100 per Month):
The Yanga bouquet looks similar to the discontinued Access package but boasts over 85 channels mostly local and international TV channels and 11 audio channels. Yanga adds a couple of new channels to the Access channels like Africa Magic Epic, ROK2, ROK GH, SuperSports Football (where you would watch some Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A Matches), RealTime, MTV Base, and EL.
However, all the highlight Access channels are available like BBC World, Telemundo, MNET Movies Zone, Fox Life, ROK3, Zee World, Africa Magic Family, Discovery Family HD, NatGeo Wild, AIT, SilverBird, Channels, NTA I, SuperSport BLITZ, Al jezeera, Mindset Learn, E! Entertainment, Jim Jam, Disney Junior, Africa Magic (World, Hausa & Yoruba only) and so on.
3. DSTV Confam (₦9,300 per Month):
The Confam bouquet looks similar to DSTV Family but boasts over 105 channels mostly local and international TV channels and 11 audio channels.
You get all the Access package channels plus CNN, ESPN, MNET City, Universal Channel, Fox, Africa Magic Epic, ROK2, BBC Lifestyle, Food Network, Boomerang, MTV Base, and Cartoon Network.
Compared the DSTV Yanga, DSTV Confam adds channels like SuperSports La Liga, SuperSports Variety 3 HD, SuperSport Variety 4 HD, ESPN, CNN, Fox, Universal Channel, Da Vinci, CBS Reality, MNET City, BET, TNT Africa, Star Life, BBC Lifestyle, Food Network, SuperSport HD 7, SuperSport 8 HD, Boomerang, Cbeebies, Cartoon Network.
On this package, you can watch some Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and Europa League matches.
This is now the entry package that comes with your initial DSTV purchase. You get it free for one month with a decoder, remote, dish, and dish kit all for 19,900 Naira.
4. DSTV Compact (₦15,700 per Month):
DSTV Compact offers you all Confam channels and more. Channels Added to the Compact package include MNET Movies 4, KIX HD, Studio Universal HD, VUZU, BBC Brit, BET, MTV, TNT Africa, Africa Magic Urban, ROK, National Geographic, Discovery ID HD, SuperSport Premier League HD, SuperSport Variety 2 HD, WWE Channel HD, Disney, Disney XD, Trace Mziki, Sky News, Ebony Life TV and so on, over 130 channels in all with 53 audio channels.
If you need more Exciting channels then, the Compact bouquet is a good choice. HD channels are also not available in this package. For sports and football, this package covers the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, FA Cup, Europa League, and Carabao Cup.
This used to be the entry package that comes with your initial DSTV purchase but has now been replaced by the Confam package.
You can always subscribe to a higher or lower package after the first depending on what your budget can handle.
5. DSTV Compact Plus (₦25,000 per Month):
DSTV Compact Plus offers all DSTV Compact channels in addition to more sports channels. The sports channels added are SuperSport Football Plus HD, SuperSport Variety 1 HD, SuperSport Action HD, and ESPN 2 HD.
It is aimed at giving Sports lovers in Nigeria and across Africa access to premium sports at a more affordable price than is possible with the Premium package.
Subscribers to the bouquet will be able to watch EPL matches, FA Cup, Europa League, Carabao Cup, and UEFA Champions League matches as well as other live sports like the Serie A, Spanish La Liga as well as rugby, golf, tennis, athletics, boxing and motorsport.
However, it is not only sports channels that are added to the Compact Plus compared to the Compact Plus package.
Other additional channels include Africa Magic Showcase, MNET Movies 3 HD, CBS Justice, Discovery Channel HD, Lifetime Entertainment, Crime and Investigation Network, History Channel, CGTN News
If the only reason you subscribe to the Premium bouquet is to watch sports, especially football then you are better off with Compact Plus. you get over 145 TV channels and 53 audio channels.
6. DSTV Premium (₦37,000 per Month):
DSTV Premium package is the high-end package offering you all available DSTV video, and audio channels. The last time we checked, the Premium package offers over 160 exciting channels and 53 audio channels.
Channels exclusive to Premium package include MNET HD, MNET Movies 1 HD, MNET Movies 2 HD, Comedy Central, TLC Entertainment, CNC World, all HD channels, and so on.
Note that despite Compact Plus being all about sports, not all sports channels are available on the package. To get all sports channels, you will have to subscribe to the Premium package.
Sports channels exclusive to the Premium package include: SuperSport GrandStand HD, SuperSport Rugby, SuperSport Cricket, SuperSport Golf, SuperSport Tennis HD, and SuperSport MotorSport HD. The Premium package is for people who want nothing less than the best.
If you want to receive HD channels then you need to go for the Premium as HD channels are currently exclusive on the Premium package.
If you also want to watch 100% of matches of the English Premier League, the Premium package is your best bet. You will also be able to access the Premier League’s 24-hour full HD content service if you own an HD PVR decoder or Explora Decoder.
Subscribing to the premium package means you can stream movies and series on Showmax for free. Showmax currently costs 2,900 Naira per month, but you get it free with Showmax.
7. DSTV Access (₦2,000 per Month) [Discontinued]:
DSTV Access bouquet offers over 90 channels mostly local and international TV channels, like BBC World, Telemundo, MNET Movies Zone, Fox Life, ROK3, Zee World, Africa Magic Family, Discovery Family HD, NatGeo Wild, AIT, SilverBird, Channels, NTA I, SuperSport BLITZ, SuperSport 9, SuperSport 10, Al jezeera, Mindset Learn, E! Entertainment, Jim Jam, Disney Junior, Africa Magic (World, Hausa & Yoruba only) and so on.
CNN, most MNET channels, and most SuperSport channels are missing in this package the last time we checked. The Access plan now has Audio channels.
The Access package is an entry-level cable package.
8. DSTV Family (₦4,000 per Month) [Discontinued]:
DSTV Family is likely to be the most popular DSTV package; it offers a reasonable selection of TV channels at a reasonable price. The Family package offers you all Access channels and more.
Channels Added to the Family package include CNN, ESPN Classic, MNET City, Universal Channel, Fox, Africa Magic Epic, ROK2, BBC Lifestyle, Food Network, SuperSport HD 7, SuperSport 8 HD, Boomerang, MTV Base, Cartoon Network, and so on, over 100 channels in all.
Find more information about DSTV services in Nigeria at www.dstv.com.
Note that Multichoice reserves the right to alter channels in any package at any time so always verify what is included in the package you intend to buy or subscribe to before making payment.
DSTV Installation, Usage, and Subscription Issues
Here are a few things you may want to know about DSTV
DSTV Installation
DSTV Installation may be free or paid separately. This should cost 5,000 Naira to 25,000 Naira depending on the nature of the installation.
Currently, the cost of getting DSTV is 31,900 Naira. This includes the cost of the decoder, dish, dish kit (installation kit), remote, and one-month free subscription to the compact package. Multichoice may also offer up to 25 meters of free installation cable with each purchase.
Free Channels on DSTV
DSTV offers one free channel when your subscription expires: NTA 2. However, NTA 2 is a local free-to-air channel.
Once your subscription expires, you will not be able to receive exciting TV channels. Initially, some channels may be available free for a few hours, but with time all DSTV channels, except NTA 2 will no longer be available until you pay your subscription.
To avoid losing your viewing, visit any outlet two days before your payment due date to make your payment.
Your subscription will be renewed automatically if you pay on time. You can also renew online at QuickTeller, OPay, JumiaPay, and other payment platforms.
Paying DSTV Subscription
You can pay your DSTV subscription at any outlet of the pay-TV service near you. You can also pay at some designated banks. If you are on Internet banking or Mobile banking service of your bank, you will not need to visit your bank as you can make payment to DSTV from your home or office.
You can also pay online in Nigeria using payment services like JumiaPay, QuickTeller, OPay, etc. To avoid losing your viewing, make your payment two days before your payment due date.
To make your HD decoder more useful, DSTV now offers many high-definition (HD) channels.
Some HD channels currently available on DSTV include SuperSport HD 5, SuperSport HD 2, SuperSport HD 3, MNET Africa HD, MMET Movies Premiere, 1Magic HD, and Discovery HD. HD offers crisp and bright pictures as well as crystal-clear sound.
To experience the full power of HD, you will require some hardware upgrades in addition to the HD decoder or Explora decoder. This includes an HD-ready TV and a surround sound system.
DSTV is a digital satellite TV service offered by MultiChoice in Nigeria and across Africa. DSTV signals are officially available in Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, Madagascar, Cameroon, The Gambia, Liberia, and dozens of African countries.
To Subscribe to DSTV in Nigeria WhatsApp +234 908 236 8533 now.
To find information on DSTV specific to any African country, visit the DSTV Africa website at www.dstv.com. There you can select your country to view information specific to your country.
