Nothing kills a Saturday afternoon like a "Please Subscribe" screen right when the match is about to start. Renewing your StarTimes subscription online takes less than two minutes once you know your smart card number, and you don't need to queue anywhere or wait for a StarTimes office to open. In this guide, we'll walk through the bouquets on offer in 2026, roughly what they cost, and the simplest way to pay online so your decoder is back on before kickoff.

Subpadi has been helping Nigerians top up airtime, data, TV and electricity cheaply and reliably since 2013 — so paying your StarTimes bill here is just as safe as it is fast.

What is StarTimes and how does the subscription work?

StarTimes is a pay-TV service popular across Nigeria for its budget-friendly bouquets and strong local and sports channel lineup. Like DStv and GOtv, it works on a prepaid model: you pick a bouquet (a bundle of channels), pay for a period — usually a month, though shorter and longer options exist — and your decoder unlocks those channels until the subscription runs out. Miss a renewal and the screen simply freezes on the subscription reminder until you pay again.

Every StarTimes decoder has a unique smart card number (sometimes called the IPTV/DVBT2 number), usually printed on a sticker on the decoder itself or visible on the "Locked Channel List" screen. You'll need this number, not your phone number, to renew — so it's worth writing it down somewhere safe once, so you're never stuck searching for the decoder box at renewal time.

StarTimes bouquets and prices in 2026

StarTimes offers several bouquet tiers, running from a basic local-channel package to a full entertainment and sports bundle. The general lineup includes:

  • Nova — the entry-level bouquet, good for local channels and news on a tight budget.
  • Basic — adds more entertainment and kids' channels.
  • Smart — a mid-range family mix with more variety.
  • Classic — a fuller package with more movies, sports and international channels.
  • Super — the top tier, with the widest channel selection including premium sport.

Monthly prices generally range from under ₦1,000 for the cheapest bouquet up to several thousand naira for the top tier, with shorter weekly or daily options also available on some plans. Because StarTimes reviews its bouquet pricing from time to time, always confirm the exact current price for your chosen bouquet before you pay — treat any number you see online, including here, as a guide rather than gospel.

Step-by-step: renew your StarTimes subscription online

Step 1 — Find your smart card number. Check the sticker on your decoder, or scroll to the "Locked Channel List" or "My Account" screen on your TV using the decoder remote.

Step 2 — Choose where to pay. You can renew on the StarTimes app, on their website, or through a trusted third-party platform like Subpadi — often faster since you can pay with your existing wallet balance or a card in one go.

Step 3 — Enter your smart card number. Type it in carefully; a single wrong digit sends your payment to someone else's decoder.

Step 4 — Select your bouquet. Pick the package you currently have (or upgrade if you fancy more channels this month) and the duration — usually monthly, but check for shorter options if you're on a budget week.

Step 5 — Pay. Complete payment by card, bank transfer, or your wallet balance, whichever is quickest for you.

Step 6 — Confirm activation. Your decoder should unlock within a few minutes. If it doesn't, try turning it off and back on, or a quick channel scan/reboot — this refreshes the signal from StarTimes' servers.

Renew your StarTimes subscription on Subpadi

Once you've got your smart card number handy, you can renew your StarTimes subscription online on Subpadi — pick your bouquet, pay, and get back to your programs in minutes. It's the same trusted, cheap service Subpadi has offered Nigerians since 2013, whether you're topping up airtime, data, or your TV subscription.

While you're sorting your household bills, it's worth also checking our guides on buying an electricity token online for every DisCo and paying your Ikeja Electric bill online, so your lights and your TV never go off on the same day.

Common StarTimes renewal problems and quick fixes

If you've paid but your channels are still locked, don't panic. First, double-check the smart card number you entered matches your decoder exactly — this is the single most common mistake. Second, give it 5–10 minutes; activation isn't always instant, especially during busy periods like big match days. Third, try switching the decoder off at the wall for 30 seconds, then back on — this often forces it to pull the fresh subscription status. If it's still not working after that, keep your payment receipt or transaction reference handy and contact StarTimes customer care or the platform you paid through — they can trace the payment and push activation manually.

Frequently asked questions

How do I renew my StarTimes subscription online in 2026? Get your decoder's smart card number, then pay through the StarTimes app, website, or a trusted platform like Subpadi, choosing your bouquet and duration before completing payment.

How much is a StarTimes subscription in 2026? It depends on the bouquet — Nova is the cheapest at under ₦1,000 a month, rising through Basic, Smart and Classic to Super at the top. Always confirm current prices before paying, since they can change.

Where do I find my StarTimes smart card number? It's on a sticker on your decoder, or visible on the "Locked Channel List"/"My Account" screen using your remote.

Why hasn't my StarTimes decoder unlocked after I paid? Usually it just needs a few minutes, or a power-cycle (turn the decoder off and back on). Double-check you entered the correct smart card number — a typo is the most common cause of delay.

Can I renew StarTimes for just a few days instead of a full month? Some shorter durations, like weekly plans, are available on certain bouquets. Check the options on your payment platform for the exact durations offered on your bouquet.

Bouquet names and prices are current as of 2026 but StarTimes can adjust pricing at any time — please confirm the exact amount for your chosen bouquet before paying.