Nigeria's pay-TV market is dominated by MultiChoice, which owns both DStv and GOtv — giving one company control over the vast majority of Nigerian cable subscriptions. In 2026, prices have risen significantly: DStv Premium now costs ₦37,000/month, up from ₦29,500 two years ago. But with streaming competition from Netflix, YouTube, and Showmax growing, is any of these subscriptions still worth it? This guide breaks down every package, calculates the true price-per-channel, and tells you exactly which one is right for your household.
- DStv (satellite): 8 packages from ₦4,200 to ₦37,000/month
- GOtv (digital terrestrial): 6 packages from ₦2,000 to ₦7,200/month
- Showmax (streaming): from ₦3,200/month, African-focused content
- Netflix Nigeria: from ₦4,600/month, international content-heavy
- MultiChoice controls both DStv and GOtv — limited price competition
- Price increases of 15–25% applied in early 2026 across all MultiChoice products
DStv Packages & Prices — May 2026
| Package | Monthly Price | Channels | Sports | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DStv Premium | ₦37,000 | 200+ | All SuperSport (14) | Sports fanatics, full entertainment |
| DStv Compact Plus | ₦25,000 | 160+ | SuperSport 3–9 | Family entertainment + sports |
| DStv Compact | ₦15,700 | 120+ | SuperSport 9–11 | General entertainment |
| DStv Confam | ₦9,800 | 80+ | SuperSport Select | Budget-conscious families |
| DStv Yanga | ₦5,500 | 50+ | None | Basic entertainment |
| DStv Access | ₦4,200 | 40+ | None | Absolute minimum coverage |
GOtv Packages & Prices — May 2026
| Package | Monthly Price | Channels | Sports | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GOtv Max | ₦7,200 | 75+ | SuperSport Select | Best GOtv value |
| GOtv Jolli | ₦5,700 | 60+ | SuperSport Select | Popular choice |
| GOtv Jinja | ₦4,200 | 45+ | Limited | Budget families |
| GOtv Smallie | ₦2,900 | 35+ | None | Minimal viewing |
| GOtv Supa | ₦6,400 | 65+ | SuperSport Blitz | Sports on a budget |
| GOtv Lite | ₦2,000 | 25+ | None | Absolute minimum |
DStv vs GOtv: Head-to-Head Comparison
| Factor | DStv Compact (₦15,700) | GOtv Max (₦7,200) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost | ₦15,700 | ₦7,200 | GOtv (54% cheaper) |
| Channel count | 120+ | 75+ | DStv |
| SuperSport access | Full (3–9) | Select only | DStv |
| Nigerian channels | 30+ | 35+ | GOtv (more local) |
| International news | CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera | Limited | DStv |
| HD quality | Full HD available | SD + some HD | DStv |
| Price per channel | ₦131/channel | ₦96/channel | GOtv |
Is Showmax Worth It?
Showmax is MultiChoice's answer to Netflix, focusing heavily on African originals, Nigerian films (Nollywood), and international licensed content. At ₦3,200/month for the basic plan, it is significantly cheaper than Netflix (from ₦4,600/month) and offers content you won't find on any satellite package. If you're a fan of Nigerian drama series, Afrobeats content, and African documentaries, Showmax offers excellent value — especially since select DStv Premium subscribers receive it free.
The honest verdict: for a typical Nigerian household watching mostly local content, GOtv Max at ₦7,200/month delivers excellent value. Add Showmax at ₦3,200/month and you get both local and streaming content for ₦10,400/month — significantly less than DStv Compact alone. Sports fans who follow English Premier League, La Liga, or CAF competitions will need DStv Compact Plus or Premium for the full SuperSport experience.
Hidden Costs & Traps to Watch Out For
- Decoder hardware costs ₦15,000–₦50,000 upfront (not included in subscription)
- Installation fees of ₦5,000–₦15,000 charged separately by technicians
- Price increases are applied with 30-day notice — your plan WILL cost more next year
- Reconnection fees apply if you let subscription lapse beyond 90 days
- HD subscription upgrades add ₦1,500–₦2,500/month to qualifying packages
- MultiChoice's 'Catch Up' and 'BoxOffice' features require additional internet data
Alternatives to DStv and GOtv in Nigeria
- Netflix Nigeria (from ₦4,600/month): Best for international series, documentaries and movies — no live sports or news
- Prime Video Nigeria (via Amazon): Cheapest at approximately ₦3,000/month — limited Nigerian content
- YouTube Premium: Offline viewing and no ads for ₦2,000–₦3,000/month — vast free content also available
- Bein Sports Connect: Standalone sports streaming for football fans — cheaper than DStv Premium if sports is all you want
- Free-to-air options: DSTV's Free channels and terrestrial stations (NTA, Channels TV, TVC) cost nothing with a simple antenna
Compare all pay-TV packages and streaming options available in Nigeria.
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Disclaimer: CompareMarket NG is an independent comparison service. Information is verified against regulatory databases (NAICOM, CBN, FCCPC, NDIC, NERC, NCC) and updated regularly, but rates and products change frequently. Always verify current terms directly with the provider before making a financial decision. This is not financial advice.
