The world has gone digital and we have successfully moved from terrestrial/analog TV broadcasting to digital broadcasting, that’s the reason you now see the emergence of cable TV companies offering several channels and services. One of the popular cable TV providers in Africa is MultiChoice – the owners of DSTV and GOtv. While DSTV offers premium services containing over 400 TV channels in virtually every category, it is however neglected by many people because it’s expensive to buy and subscribe hence it’s tagged “the rich man cable TV”. So people now consider cheaper DSTV alternatives in Gotv and Startimes. Yet most users are skeptical about which one to go for between Startimes and Gotv. If you are still confused, I will walk you through the lane of the right decision-making. So between Gotv and Startimes, which one should you buy? Which one is the best? Which one is cheaper? Which one shows better sports (Football) and which one shows better movies? The answer to these questions is answered below.
GOtv VS Startimes: Sports
Both satellite TV networks have dedicated sports channels, however, GOTVs SuperSports channel is best for Premier League lovers as it now broadcast one LIVE EPL match every Saturday and Sunday. Also, Gotv delivers one LIVE UEFA Champions League match on Tuesdays and one Europa League match on Thursdays. Although, in the 2018/2019 season, GOtv didn’t show any Europa league matches. Additionally, subscribers on GOtv Plus and Max enjoy LIVE Spanish league (La Liga), Bundesliga, and African league matches as well as wrestling and other interesting sports. However, if you are more interested in Italian League (Seria A), Chinese League, French League 1, and Bundesliga go for Startimes. Startimes also broadcasts Chinese boxing, wrestling, and other sports. So in a bombshell, GOtv covers some EPL and La Liga LIVE matches while Startimes covers Italian Seria A, Bundesliga, and League 1 Matches.
GOtv VS Startimes: Movies
As far as real African movie is concerned, both Startimes and GOtv are in a very close battle for supremacy. This is because both cable TV providers have dedicated channels for African movie series, Nigerian Nollywood movies, Indian movies, and so on. For instance, on GOtv you have African Magic Epic for traditional Nollywood dramas, African Magic Family for Nollywood series and dramas, and Rok 2 & 3 for the latest and hottest Nigerian Nollywood and Ghanaian Ghallywood movies respectively. There is also African Magic in Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba in Gotv. Not forgetting Telemundo, Fox movies, MNet Movie Zone, Televista, Star Life, Trybe TV, Zee World, B4U Movies, Sony Max, and ONMAX. These are channels for watching different types of movies on GOtv. Also on Startimes, you enjoy some movie channels such as AMC movies, Star Movies 1, Iroko TV, Iroko World, Star Series E1, Star Zone, Star Kongfu, Star Dadin Kowa, Star Bollywood TV, Orisun, Iroko Play, E-Stars, AMC series, Farin Wata, Star Chinese, WAP TV, Star Novela, and AMC Nigeria. These movie channels are there to entertain you with different types of Nigerian, Ghanaian, Indian and Chinese movies. But in a bombshell, when it comes to movies, GOtv is better simply because Startimes is guilty of frequently repeating movies. Although GOtv repeats but not as frequently as Startimes. My personal observation though.
GOtv VS Startimes: Music
As far as music is concerned, there is no winner between Startimes and GOtv because satellite television delivers top-notch music to entertain you 24/7. For example, some music channels on GOtv include; MTV Base, Hip TV, MiTV, Sound City, and Planet TV. While music channels on Startimes include Nigezie, Star Music, MTV Base, and MiTV. You can never go wrong with either gotv or StarTimes as far as music is concerned.
Startimes Vs Gotv: News
For local news, Startimes has a slight edge over GOtv because it’s affiliated with Nigerian Television Authority (NTA). You get all NTA channels both federal and state stations as well as other local TV stations in all the states in Nigeria. So with this, you will get first-hand news locally. However, as far as international news is concerned, both GOtv and Startimes are heavily equipped with news channels. For example, GOtv has CNN, BBC, Al Jazeera, Arise News, Channels TV, TVC News, NTA News, and AIT. While Startimes news channels include BBC, CCTV News, Channels TV, Fox News, TVC News, and AIT. So here I think Startimes is the best for local news channels while GOtv is the best for international news channels.
GOtv VS Startimes: Signal Quality
As far as signal quality and strength are concerned, Startimes is the best because it has a wider area coverage. There is hardly any part of Nigeria where you can’t use Startimes Decoder even in hilly areas. But for GOtv, you usually get quality signals in cities, state capitals, and developed areas. I had a tough time getting Gotv signal when I traveled to Zamfara State, Nigeria for a program so I switched to Startimes and enjoyed a very good signal without issues.
Startimes VS Gotv: Graphics
When it comes to graphics, GOtv beats Startimes hands down. Almost all the channels available on GOtv are broadcasted in High Definition (HD) unlike on Startimes where picture quality is not that good. Also Gotv audio is clean and digitized. So in this aspect, gotv is the best.
Startimes VS Gotv: Mobile App
Startimes is the best when it comes to mobile app features. In fact, the Startimes app can be used to watch your favorite TV programs on the go with your phone. But GOtv is yet to develop a decent app to help customers carry out simple tasks.
GOtv VS Startimes: Ease Of Subscription
Subscribers can easily subscribe to both gotv and StarTimes from the comfort of their homes using USSD or via Quickteller or even at the ATM. Meanwhile, the traditional method of walking into a dealer shop to recharge your subscription is still available for both providers. So in this aspect, both have excellent service and average customer care service.
GOtv VS Startimes: Price
Startimes Decoder price is between N3,500 and N5,000 while GOtv Decoder costs between N6,000 to N7,000 so Startimes is cheaper than Gotv. These prices depend on the time and place you bought the decoder as well as other stuff inside the package. Also, Startimes subscriptions are cheaper, and more affordable than gotv because you have options for daily, weekly and monthly subscriptions while on Gotv, you only have one option of a monthly subscription. Follow this post to know how to pay for a Startimes daily subscription with One Card. Both GOtv and Startimes give you a one-month free view once you purchase a new decoder. Startimes is even running a promo now that gives customers who subscribe to its classic bouquet an additional one month free. This offer can stop at any time though. The below table shows features and service comparisons between Gotv and Startimes rated under 10. The higher the ratings, the better the service.
SEE ALSO: TV Apps
On-Air TV Startimes App IPTV App Moko TV apk Nova TV Iroko TV ShowMax TV Yacine TV DSTV Startimes MBC Frequency and Positions
Final Thoughts
Both satellite TV providers are really similar but if I’m asked to choose one, I will gladly choose Gotv over Startimes because I’m a fan of the English Premier League, International news, and HD graphics. Though I have both decoders in my house I rarely make use of the Startimes. An alternative to these decoders is TStv Decoder. So let’s hear from you. Which one is better for you?
