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5 Platforms to Pay DSTV and Startimes Subscription in Nigeria

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Many of us grew up watching Ben 10 on Cartoon Network or Monday Night Raw on WWE. These days, it’s more about catching the Champions League or staying updated with international news on Al Jazeera.

Regardless of what you enjoy, one thing’s clear. Cable TV has always played a big role in our entertainment.

A few years ago, paying for cable meant visiting an authorised outlet. But now, thanks to online bill payments, you can sort your Startimes or DSTV payment right from your phone or any mobile device.

This article will walk you through five of the best platforms in Nigeria where you can renew your subscription without ever stepping into a physical outlet.

5 Best Platforms to Pay DSTV and Startimes Subscription in Nigeria

Gone are the days of queuing at outlets just to renew your cable TV subscription. Now, you can pay for DSTV and Startimes in minutes, right from your phone. Below is a quick comparison of five trusted platforms: Cardtonic, MyDSTV, Startimes ON, your Bank App, and USSD, based on transaction charges, discounts, and how easy they are to access.

s/n Platforms DSTV or Startimes Transactions Charges Discount/ Promo Prices Accessibility
1 Cardtonic Both No Yes Mobile App or Website
2 myDSTV DSTV Yes Yes Mobile App or Website
3 Bank App Both Yes No Mobile App
4 Startimes ON Startimes Yes Yes Mobile App or Website
5 USSD Both Yes No Offline

1. Cardtonic 

Cardtonic isn’t just another bill payment platform. It’s an all-in-one solution built for speed, convenience, and real value. When it comes to renewing your DSTV or Startimes subscription, Cardtonic lets you do it in minutes without stress.

Just log in, tap on “Bills,” select your cable provider, choose a package, enter your smartcard number, and confirm the transaction. That’s it—subscription sorted.

cardtonic

But here’s what makes Cardtonic stand out: beyond fast cable payments, you get zero transaction charges, exclusive discounted packages, and occasional promo offers that reward you just for paying your bills.

It also does way more than cable TV. With Cardtonic, you can pay utility bills online, buy airtime, top up data, trade gift cards, and even manage a virtual dollar card for international payments—all in one clean, easy-to-use app or website.

If you’re looking for a trusted platform that makes bill payments quick, affordable, and rewarding, Cardtonic is your best bet.

2. MyDSTV App

The moment you own a DSTV, you automatically have a MyDSTV account, and you can use it to pay for your DSTV subscription.

You can access MyDSTV by logging in through the website or downloading the app on your mobile device. As a first-timer, you will need to provide essential details like the email address and phone number you used to register your DSTV. You also need to provide your smartcard number and confirm the account via email.

myDStv app

After logging in, scan the app and locate “Subscriptions.” Here, you will see the current subscription package you are on and a list displaying other packages. Make your choice,  click on payment and proceed with the on-screen instructions.

3. Bank App

Many Nigerian banks now have mobile apps that you can use to carry out your online transactions, including paying for cable TV. Whether you want to pay for DSTV or Startimes, the process is entirely the same.

My Bank app

To get started, ensure your bank has a working app and offers utility payments. Use your bank details to log into the app. Search for the main menu or scroll through the dashboard and locate either “Bills or Utility.” Choose Cable TV and finally pick between DSTV or StarTimes. Provide all necessary details, like your smart card number and the subscription package you want.

Within a few minutes, depending on the bank’s network, you should have successfully paid for your cable TV online.

4. Startimes ON App

Startimes ON is a mobile app that allows you to make basic transactions and set up settings for your StarTimes decoder. To use Startimes ON to pay for your cable, you need to log in and link your decoder to the app.

You can link your decoder by inputting your smartcard number and confirming your login details. Afterwards, click on the “Me” icon, and a bunch of information regarding your subscription will be displayed there. Your package and the remaining valid subscription days will also be shown on the screen.

Startimes ON App

If the subscription has expired, it will also be displayed. In this case, you should click on “Pay” in the top right corner of the app. A list of Startimes subscription prices and packages will appear. Select the one you want and click “next.”

You will be presented with a variety of payment methods. You can decide to finalise your payment using your mobile wallet, like Cardtonic, or your bank card. The speed and efficiency of this payment depend on the network used to carry out the transaction.

5. USSD

Using USSD to pay for cable TV depends on the bank you intend to use and your phone network, Airtel or MTN.

To pay for DSTV or Startimes using USSD, confirm that your bank supports cable TV subscriptions via USSD and ensure your mobile network is active.

To get started, dial your bank’s USSD code and follow the on-screen prompts until you’re asked to choose between DSTV and Startimes. Select your preferred option, pick the bouquet you want, enter your bank PIN, and confirm the transaction.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paying Cable TV Subscriptions in Nigeria

  1. Can I Top-up My DSTV Subscription Online in Nigeria?

Yes, you can top up your DSTV subscription online in Nigeria. By using online bill payment platforms like Cardtonic, MyDSTV, or your bank app, you can renew your subscription right from your phone.

However, if you pay for a new DSTV subscription package before your current one expires, the new package won’t activate until the existing one ends.

  1. What is the Best DSTV Subscription for me?

DSTV has five subscription packages. The best one for you depends on your viewing preference and your budget. To increase viewing channels and cost, you can choose Yanga, Confam, Compact, Compact Plus, or Premium. Each package includes a list of channels you can access, as well as additional benefits. You can visit the DSTV website to get more information.

  1. Can I Subscribe to Startimes Using My Phone?

Yes. You can subscribe to Startimes on your phone. With platforms like Cardtonic, you can easily log in, click on cable TV and make payments for your Startimes subscription. Using Cardtonic makes the process fast, easy, and reliable.

  1. How Much is Startimes Subscription Per Month?

Depending on the package you are opting for, Startimes Subscription prices per Month range from as low as 2000 Naira to 16000 Naira. The subscription package chosen will determine the number of channels you can access.

      5. DSTV vs Startimes: Which One Should I Go for?

DSTV offers a variety of entertainment, while Startimes is highly affordable. The final choice depends on your preference and budget.

Conclusion

Paying for your DSTV or Startimes subscription doesn’t have to involve queues or a trip to the nearest outlet. With platforms like Cardtonic, MyDSTV, Startimes ON, your Bank App, and USSD, you can sort your cable TV bills right from your phone—anytime, anywhere.

Each option has its own perks, but if you’re looking for speed, zero charges, extra rewards, and an easy way to pay utility bills online, Cardtonic ticks all the boxes. It’s simple, secure, and built to make your life easier.

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QNET’s Global Reach in 100+ Countries: What International Access Means for Local Distributors

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QNET

Global scale means market access and international supply chains. For individual distributors in direct selling, it can shape everything from product availability to income stability and long-term opportunity.

QNET, the multinational wellness and lifestyle direct selling company, positions its business model around that idea: connecting locally based independent distributors to an international operating platform. With activity spanning more than 100 countries, the company sits within a direct selling industry that, according to the World Federation of Direct Selling Associations (WFDSA), has stabilized after several relatively volatile post-pandemic years.

Global Reach Within a Stabilizing Industry

The WFDSA’s latest global report estimates worldwide direct selling retail sales at roughly $163.9 billion in 2024, essentially flat year over year. That flat performance, however, masks gradual improvement beneath the surface. Nearly half of reporting markets showed growth in 2024, and average market growth rates rebounded to positive territory.

The report estimates more than 104 million independent sales representatives globally in 2024, a figure that has remained largely stable year over year.

This stabilization sets a backdrop for companies like QNET. A global footprint is no longer about rapid expansion alone; it is increasingly tied to resilience: operating across regions with different economic cycles, consumer behaviors, and growth trajectories.

For distributors, this matters because opportunities extend beyond individual effort. They are often shaped by the health of the company’s broader channel and product reach.

A Platform Designed for Distributed Entrepreneurship

QNET’s model centers on local execution supported by centralized infrastructure. Products—ranging from nutritional supplements and wellness devices to home and lifestyle solutions—are sold through the company’s proprietary e-commerce platform. Independent distributors do not manage warehouses, shipment logistics, or customer service systems.

As Ramya Chandrasekaran, who heads communications at QNET, explained in a recent interview, the company views direct selling as a form of accessible “micro-entrepreneurship.” The idea is to reduce the operational burden typically associated with starting a business, allowing distributors to focus on product education, customer relationships, and market development.

Why Global Scale Changes the Distributor Equation

One practical benefit of international reach is product continuity. WFDSA data shows that wellness products account for roughly 29% of global direct selling sales, making it the largest category worldwide. In the Asia-Pacific region, the largest direct selling region by sales, wellness represents more than 40% of total category share.

QNET’s emphasis on wellness and lifestyle products places distributors in line with the strongest demand segments globally. Instead of relying on narrow local trends, distributors operate within product categories that have shown consistent global interest.

International scale also supports consistency in training, compensation structures, and digital tools. Distributors in different countries access identical back-end systems, tracking referrals, commissions, and orders through the same platform. This standardization reduces friction and uncertainty, particularly for individuals operating in markets where informal commerce is common.

Workforce Shifts

The WFDSA’s report highlights notable shifts in the global direct selling workforce. Women continue to make up more than 70% of participants worldwide, and representation among individuals aged 35 to 54 remains the largest cohort.

Independent Distributors increasingly value flexibility, long-term viability, and support systems that allow them to operate sustainably rather than aggressively scale. QNET’s emphasis on digital access, centralized operations, and gradual business building reflects those priorities.

For many participants, especially those balancing work with caregiving or other responsibilities, direct selling infrastructure offers a way to stay engaged at their own pace.

Training, Exposure, and Cross-Market Learning

QNET’s international conventions and training programs connect distributors across regions, creating informal networks for peer learning. Events that draw participants from dozens of countries expose distributors to varied approaches to sales, customer engagement, and market adaptation.

This mirrors one of WFDSA’s broader conclusions: direct selling increasingly functions as a global learning ecosystem, with companies providing tools and education that help individuals navigate uncertain economic conditions.

For distributors, exposure to cross-border experiences can recalibrate expectations, reinforcing that success often comes from steady engagement rather than rapid recruitment or short-term activity.

International Access, Interpreted Locally

Despite its global scale, QNET’s business ultimately plays out in local communities. Distributors adapt messaging around wellness, home quality, and lifestyle enhancement to cultural norms and household priorities. The international platform provides reach and structure, but relevance is built locally.

That balance, global systems supporting local relationships, defines much of modern direct selling. The WFDSA describes the industry not as a single growth story, but as a framework that can scale proportionally with economic conditions across regions.

For QNET distributors, international presence does not guarantee income or uniform outcomes. What it offers is access: to resilient product categories, standardized systems, training resources, and a global marketplace that extends beyond any single region. For local distributors navigating today’s uncertain global economic environment, that is an important foundation to maintain.

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FCCPC Unseals Ikeja Electric Headquarters

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Ikeja Electric

By Adedapo Adesanya

The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has unsealed the headquarters of Ikeja Electric Plc in the Lagos State capital after a week under lock and key.

According to a statement on Friday, the electricity distribution company committed to a binding undertaking to comply with the remedial process following consumer rights violations.

The statement signed by Mr Ondaje Ijagwu, Director of Corporate Affairs at the commission, Ikeja Electric undertook to resolve all consumer complaints referred to it by the FCCPC within agreed timelines

The headquarters was earlier sealed on December 11, 2025, because Ikeja Electric allegedly failed to comply with a directive by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) to unbundle a Maximum Demand account into 20 individual accounts for a customer who had been without power for over two and half years.

The FCCPC noted that following the resolution, any breach of the undertaking would expose it to renewed and escalated enforcement action under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act.

Reacting, the Executive Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the FCCPC, Mr Tunji Bello, said the Commission’s intervention was necessary to enforce the provisions of the FCCPA (2018).

“Our responsibility is to ensure that consumers are treated fairly and that service providers comply with lawful decisions and directives. Enforcement is not an end in itself. Where compliance is achieved and credible commitments are made, the Commission will respond appropriately,” he said.

Clarifying further, Mr Bello said the outcome reflects the commission’s balanced approach to regulation.

“We intervene decisively where consumer harm persists, and we de-escalate where enforceable compliance is secured. What remains constant is our duty to protect consumers and uphold regulatory accountability,” he said.

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All On’s Clean Energy Access Transforms Over One Million Lives

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All On

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

The decision by a leading impact investment company focused on expanding clean energy access, All On, to support over 50 clean energy businesses and provide grants and technical assistance to more than 80 enterprises in Nigeria is already yielding positive results.

This is because the organisation’s Impact Evaluation Report indicated that more than one million lives have been transformed through clean energy access.

The report covered from 2018 t0 2024 and it was discovered that the interventions of All On enabled the connection of over 230,000 households, businesses, and public facilities to reliable energy solutions, while strengthening the operational capacity of energy providers and improving affordability and service reliability for end users.

Prior to the commencement of All On’s operations in 2016, nearly half of Nigeria’s population lacked access to electricity, and the sector faced an estimated 92 per cent annual funding gap.

In response, the group adopted a bold, risk-tolerant strategy—deploying catalytic capital, innovative financing instruments, and ecosystem-building initiatives to unlock private sector participation and drive progress toward universal energy access.

Central to these achievements is All On’s holistic support model, which combines rigorous, tailored due diligence, deep sector expertise, and active ecosystem engagement.

This approach has positioned All On as a trusted partner capable of delivering both commercial viability and systemic impact.

Flagship initiatives such as the Demand Aggregation for Renewable Technology (DART) programme have further amplified results by reducing procurement costs for supported businesses by up to 50 per cent, enabling developers to scale faster and pass cost savings on to consumers due to access to reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions.

In the report, it was revealed that half of supported households reported improved air quality, enhanced safety, and reduced noise pollution, contributing to better health outcomes and improved quality of life, alongside measurable environmental benefits.

“This report confirms that our approach is delivering real results. By combining patient capital, technical assistance, and ecosystem support, we are enabling scalable and sustainable energy solutions for Nigeria’s unserved and underserved communities,” the chief executive of All On, Ms Caroline Eboumbou.

The company plans plans to scale proven models, strengthen local capacity, and expand its reach—particularly in underserved regions such as the Niger Delta.

“While the progress to date is encouraging, our work is far from done. As we look toward 2030, we remain committed to deepening our impact and creating even more meaningful connections across Nigeria,” Ms Eboumbou added.

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