Startimes and GOTV are two of the most affordable pay TV services in Ghana. GOTV can be seen as a shorter version of the services offered by DSTV.
Startimes on its own can be described as a hybrid between rich content and affordable content.
Although Startimes used to be criticized for having a smaller number of channels and less quality in their lineup than GOTV, the satellite TV provider has recently undergone a refresh which has allowed it to increase the quality of its content offerings.
It has been able to do this while maintaining its spot as one of the most affordable TV providers in the nation.
The similarities and differences between Startimes and GOTV are not much. GOTV is owned by Multichoice, the same company that owns DSTV.
This means that GOTV is a cheaper version of DSTV. Startimes on the other hand is a Chinese-owned company operating in Africa.
In this article, we will be pitting Startimes side by side with GOTV to see which of the two is the best when choosing a TV platform in Ghana.
The main aim of this article is to find the provider that offers the best value for money. We will start by looking at how they stack up in terms of subscription fees.
Prices
Startimes offers 4 packages in Ghana. They are:
- Nova – GHS 25 per month
- Smart – GHS 50 per month
- Super – GHS 99 per month
- Chinese – GHS 125 per month
GOTV offers 5 packages. They are:
- Lite – GHS 14 per month
- Value – GHS 25 per month
- Plus – GHS 50 per month
- Max – GHS 80 per month
- Supa – GHS 99 per month
GOTV decoders are also cheaper than Startimes decoders. However, the prices for decoders normally depend on the time and place where the decoder was purchased.
Startimes however wins in terms of subscription packages as we can see in the list above.
Movies
Both TV providers offer a rich blend of foreign and local movies on their channels. When it comes to local movies and series, here is how they stack up.
Startimes movies channels
Below are the channels offering movies on Startimes
- PBO TV
- Nollywood plus
- St Yoruba
- Nigbati
- Kaftan Yoruba
- Orison TV
- Dadin Kowa
- Farin wata
- AMC movies
- Wap TV
- Start Chinese
- Iroko play
- E stars
- Orison
- Star zone
- Star movies 1
- AMC series
- Star novella
- MAC Nigeria
- Star kungfu
- Start Bollywood
- Iroko world
- Star series
GOTV movies channels
Below are the channels offering movies on GOTV.
- Africa magic Igbo
- Africa Magic family
- Africa magic Yoruba
- Africa Magic Epic
- ROK 2
- ROK 3
- Telemundo
- Televista
- Star life
- Zee world
- Fox movies
- Trybe TV
- ONMAX
- Sony max
- B4U movies
- MNet movie zone
- Africa magic Hausa
- African magic urban
- African magic showcase
In the movies category, we can see that GOTV is the better TV provider. Startimes has been accused of frequently repeating the movies they show.
GOTV also repeats movies but does not do it as frequently as StarTimes does. So in terms of movies, we would go for GOTV.
Sports
Both Startimes and GOTV offer great sports channels. If you love watching the Premier League, then the supersport channel offered by GOTV is the best one.
You can also get to watch live UEFA Champions League matches on GOTV on Tuesdays.
On Thursdays, they show a Europa League match. Subscribers of the GOTV Supa and Supa+ packages get to watch the premier league, Spanish league, and several other leagues as well as wrestling and other sports.
For those who prefer watching the French Ligue 1, the Chinese football league, the Italian series A, and the German League, you get this and more on channels offered by Startimes. You also get to watch Chinese boxing matches and wrestling as well.
In terms of sports, we can see that GOTV is the best and that is what we would go for.
Music
It is hard to choose between the two when it comes to music. They both deliver good music all week long.
Startimes Music Channels
- MTV base
- MiTV
- Star Music
- Nigezie
GOTV music channels
- MTV base
- Hip TV
- MiTV
- Sound City
- Planet TV
GOTV has just one channel more than Startimes in the music category and that surely gives it the edge. It seems that in music too, we would have to go with GOTV.
News
Startimes seems to have an edge on GOTV when it comes to the showcase of local news.
GOTV on the other hand seems to be well equipped when it comes to international news broadcasts. Let us check out their news channels below.
GOTV News Channels
- CNN
- BBC
- Al Jazeera
- Arise news
- Channels TV
- TVC news
- NTA news
- AIT
Startimes News Channels
- BBC
- TVC
- Fox News
- CCTV news
- Channels TV
- AIT
For here, if you watch local news a lot, then Startimes would be the best for you. However, if you prefer international news, then you should go for GOTV.
Graphics Quality
GOTV takes this category hands down. Almost all the channels offered on GOTV are shown in high quality. Startime graphic quality is not always the best.
So when it comes to graphics quality, we will have to go with GOTV.
Signal Quality
Startimes has a wider coverage area when compared to GOTV. GOTV quality is normally in city areas and developed neighborhoods. In terms of signal quality, Startimes is the best if you travel a lot.
Mobile Apps
The features of the StarTimes mobile app are the best. The app can be used to watch TV programs while on the go. GOTV has yet to release an app that is decent enough to make things easy for customers.
This section sure goes to Startimes without any issues.
Subscription
Subscription to either GOTV or Startimes can be done easily from home through the use of USSD. Subscription can also be done through an ATM. Customers can also subscribe by going out to physical dealer shops.
So in this category, both Startimes and GOTV offer good service and as such, it is a tie.
Conclusion
Both GOTV and Startimes are alike in many ways. However, if we were to choose between the two, we would opt for GOTV over Startimes.
This is mainly due to the English premier league which is quite popular in Ghana. GOTV offers the chance to watch the EPL in its packages.
The graphic quality of GOTV is also better than what is offered on Startimes.
