My neighbor knocked on my door last month asking if I knew anything about DStv Padi. She’d just moved into a new apartment and wanted something affordable for her TV, nothing fancy, just enough to stay entertained on weekends. I told her what I knew, but she came back a week later saying she wished she’d gotten the full picture before subscribing. That’s when I realized how many people jump into DStv Padi without really understanding what they’re getting.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’re considering the cheapest DStv package available. Maybe you’re a student trying to stretch your budget, or perhaps you’re setting up a secondary TV in your guest room. Whatever your situation, you need to know exactly what DStv Padi offers before spending your hard-earned money. This isn’t about selling you anything, it’s about making sure you don’t end up disappointed like my neighbor did.
How Much Does DStv Padi Cost?
As of 2026, DStv Padi costs ₦4,400 per month. That’s the monthly subscription price, and it’s the most affordable package MultiChoice offers in Nigeria.
For annual subscribers, you’ll pay approximately ₦48,400 for the full year. Here’s the math that matters, if you multiply ₦4,400 by 12 months, you get ₦52,800. But with the annual plan, you essentially get one month free, bringing your total down to ₦48,400. That’s a ₦4,400 saving, basically a free month of viewing.
When DStv Padi first launched in 2019, it cost ₦2,500 monthly. By 2023, it had increased to ₦3,600. Then came the March 2025 price adjustment that brought it to ₦4,400. Yes, that’s a significant jump from the original price, but it still remains the most accessible DStv package available.
Is it expensive? That depends on your perspective. Compared to going to the cinema twice a month or buying data for YouTube streaming, ₦4,400 for 45+ channels isn’t terrible. But compared to what you get with higher packages, you’re definitely making compromises.
Complete DStv Padi Channels List
DStv Padi gives you access to over 45 television channels, 1 HD channel, and 11 audio channels. Let me break this down into categories so you can see exactly what you’re working with.
Local Nigerian Channels
| Channel Name | Channel Number |
|---|---|
| NTA 1 | 251 |
| NTA 2 | 369 |
| NTA Parliament | 370 |
| Silverbird | 252 |
| AIT | 253 |
| Channels TV | 254 |
| MiTV | 255 |
| Lagos TV | 256 |
| Galaxy TV | 258 |
| Wazobia Max | 259 |
| OGtv | 260 |
| Arewa 24 | 261 |
| WAP TV | 262 |
| Adom TV | 280 |
| K24 | 275 |
| eTV Africa | 250 |
These channels cover news, entertainment, and local programming. If you’re primarily interested in Nigerian content, you’re actually getting decent value here.
Africa Magic Channels
| Channel Name | Channel Number |
|---|---|
| Africa Magic Hausa | 156 |
| Africa Magic Yoruba | 157 |
| Africa Magic Igbo | 159 |
Notice what’s missing? Africa Magic Epic, Africa Magic Family, and the other premium Africa Magic channels aren’t included. You’re getting the language-specific channels focused on Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo content, which works well if those are your primary languages.
International Entertainment
| Channel Name | Channel Number |
|---|---|
| Telemundo | 118 |
| B4U Movies | 451 |
| Televista | 194 |
| Trybe | 195 |
| Spice TV | 190 |
News Channels
| Channel Name | Channel Number |
|---|---|
| BBC World News | 400 |
| Arise News | 416 |
| CNC World | 415 |
| TVC News Nigeria | 418 |
| NTA News 24 | 419 |
| Joy News | 421 |
Sport Channels
| Channel Name | Channel Number |
|---|---|
| SuperSport Blitz | 220 |
Kids and Educational Channels
| Channel Name | Channel Number |
|---|---|
| Jim Jam | 310 |
| Mindset | 319 |
Music Channels
| Channel Name | Channel Number |
|---|---|
| TRACE Naija | 325 |
| AFRO Music English | 326 |
| Urban TV | 328 |
| Fiesta TV | 329 |
DStv Padi vs Other Packages
Padi vs Yanga
DStv Yanga costs ₦6,000 per month (₦1,600 more than Padi) and offers:
- 85+ channels (double what Padi has)
- 7 HD channels (Padi has 1)
- SuperSport Football channel with actual match coverage
- More Africa Magic channels
- Better kids’ content
- M-Net Movies channel
If you can afford the extra ₦1,600, Yanga is significantly better value. You’re nearly doubling your channel count and getting actual sports coverage.
Padi vs Confam
DStv Confam costs ₦11,000 monthly (₦6,600 more than Padi) and provides:
- 105+ channels
- 10 HD channels
- Europa League football coverage
- More international entertainment
- Better movie selection
- Expanded kids’ programming
Confam is where DStv starts feeling like a proper satellite TV service. But it’s 2.5x the price of Padi, so only upgrade if the additional content genuinely matters to you.
Padi vs Compact
DStv Compact at ₦19,000 monthly (₦14,600 more) offers:
- 130+ channels
- 20 HD channels
- Premier League, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup coverage
- International series and movies
- WWE wrestling 24/7
- Comprehensive kids’ channels
Compact is for serious TV watchers. If you’re considering Compact, you’re probably in the wrong article, Padi isn’t for you.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Mentions
When people talk about DStv Padi costing ₦4,400 monthly, they often forget additional expenses:
- Decoder: ₦20,000-₦35,000 for HD Decoder
- Dish and Installation: ₦10,000-₦25,000
- First Month Subscription: ₦4,400
- Total Initial Investment: Approximately ₦35,000-₦65,000
Ongoing Expenses;
- Monthly Subscription: ₦4,400
- Electricity: Running the decoder 8 hours daily costs about ₦500-800 monthly
- Maintenance: Occasional dish realignment (₦3,000-₦5,000 when needed)
