Quick Summary
- DStv packages run KES 750 (Lite) to KES 11,700 (Premium) per month; decoder prices dropped sharply in late 2025 — HD Zapper + dish kit is now ~KES 1,919 online.
- GOtv packages run KES 299 (Lite) to KES 3,199 (Supa+); the decoder is ~KES 799 and needs only an aerial, no dish.
- StarTimes is the cheapest satellite option: Nyota antenna bouquet at KES 329/month, dish kits at ~KES 3,499 with bouquets from KES 549.
- A free-to-air DVB-T2 decoder (KES 1,100–1,500 once) delivers 50+ local channels with no monthly fee — the best deal in Kenyan TV.
- Streaming wins if you already have fibre: Netflix from KES 200 and Showmax from KES 200 (EPL at KES 450). On mobile data, decoders are cheaper.
- A KES 8,400–11,000 Android TV box like the Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) turns any HDMI TV into a full smart TV.
The four ways to watch TV in Kenya
Kenyan viewers choose between four delivery methods, and each has a different cost shape. Satellite (DTH) — DStv and StarTimes dish — works anywhere including deep rural areas but needs a dish install. Terrestrial pay TV (DTT) — GOtv and StarTimes antenna — needs only a GOtenna-type aerial and is cheaper to start, but coverage depends on transmitter range. Free-to-air DVB-T2 is the same terrestrial signal minus the paywall: buy the decoder once and never pay again. Streaming — Netflix, Showmax, DStv Stream, YouTube — needs decent internet and scales on data costs rather than decoder hardware.
DStv: decoder prices and packages
MultiChoice raised bouquet prices in August 2025, then — under new owner Canal+ — cut decoder hardware prices by up to 40% online and 30% in retail from late October 2025. That makes 2026 one of the cheapest times ever to get onto DStv hardware, even as monthly fees remain the highest among Kenyan pay TV options.
| Hardware | Was | Now | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| DStv HD Zapper (decoder only) | KES 1,199 | KES 719 online / KES 840 retail | Single-view HD decoder; add a dish kit separately |
| HD Zapper + Dish Kit | KES 3,199 | KES 1,919 online / KES 2,240 retail | Decoder, dish and cabling; installation may cost extra |
| DStv Explora | KES 22,500 | KES 13,500 online / KES 15,750 retail | Records up to ~500 hours, Catch Up, BoxOffice, XtraView |
| Package | Monthly (KES) | Channels | What you get |
|---|---|---|---|
| DStv Lite | KES 750 | 51+ channels, ~10 HD | Local channels, news, kids basics, SuperSport Blitz |
| DStv Access | KES 1,450 | 95+ channels, ~10 HD | Adds select SuperSport channels and more entertainment |
| DStv Family | KES 2,250 | 120+ channels, ~10 HD | Family movies, kids channels, documentaries |
| DStv Compact | KES 4,200 | 135+ channels, ~25 HD | Entry tier with serious football coverage incl. EPL matches |
| DStv Compact Plus | KES 7,300 | 155+ channels, ~30 HD | Full Premier League, Champions League, F1 and more sport |
| DStv Premium | KES 11,700 | 163+ channels, 35–40+ HD | Everything: full SuperSport, M-Net, Showmax add-to-bill perks |
| XtraView (add-on) | KES 1,700 | Access fee | Link extra decoders under one subscription for other rooms |
All non-Lite decoder packages include DStv Stream access at no extra cost, so you can watch on phones and laptops too. Explora adds Catch Up, BoxOffice rentals and recording; an Access fee applies for PVR features on some models.
GOtv: no dish, big value
GOtv is MultiChoice's terrestrial service — a decoder plus a GOtenna aerial, no dish required. Hardware was also discounted in the late-2025 promo: the decoder dropped to about KES 799 (from KES 999) and the GOtv antenna to about KES 700 (from KES 1,000), with Jumia decoder-and-antenna bundles running KES 1,500–4,000 depending on included subscription months. Payment is by M-Pesa paybill, and you can pause by simply not renewing — the free local channels keep working.
| Package | Monthly (KES) | Channels | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOtv Lite | KES 299 (KES 650/quarter, KES 1,500/year) | 30+ | Local channels, news, edutainment |
| GOtv Value | KES 599 | 40+ | Adds SuperSport Africa, BBC World News, kids channels |
| GOtv Plus | KES 999 | 50+ | Maisha Magic Plus, SuperSport Football, CNN, movie channels |
| GOtv Max | KES 1,699 | 60+ | BET, M-Net Movies 4, Trace, more sport |
| GOtv Supa | KES 2,199 | 70+ | ESPN, TNT, National Geographic, select EPL matches |
| GOtv Supa+ | KES 3,199 | 75+ | Dedicated Premier League channel, Universal TV, full kids lineup |
The sweet spot for football fans is Supa+ (KES 3,199) with its dedicated Premier League channel — roughly a quarter of the cost of the DStv tier with equivalent EPL coverage, though with fewer total sports channels and no satellite backup if your area has weak terrestrial signal.
StarTimes: the budget satellite
StarTimes plays both sides: a terrestrial antenna service and a satellite dish service, with Kenya's lowest entry prices. The aerial decoder costs about KES 1,699 (bundled with a month of Classic), while the HD combo dish kit runs about KES 3,499 with a free month of the Smart bouquet. Uniquely, StarTimes also sells weekly and daily subscriptions — useful for holiday homes, down-country visits or tight weeks.
| Bouquet | Price (KES) | Channels | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nyota (antenna) | KES 329/month (KES ~110/week) | 35+ | Local channels plus basic entertainment |
| Basic (antenna) | KES 749/month | 56+ | More sport, movies and kids channels |
| Classic (antenna) | KES 1,149/month | 75+ | Top antenna tier: ESPN 2, ST Movies Plus, JimJam |
| Nova (dish) | KES 549/month | Entry satellite | Cheapest dish bouquet |
| Smart (dish) | KES 1,199/month | Mid satellite | Bundled free month with new dish kits |
| Super (dish) | KES 1,799/month | Top satellite | Full StarTimes sport and entertainment lineup |
| Chinese (dish) | KES 2,300/month | Niche | Chinese-language content bundle |
Dish installs are a one-time cost; in rental houses confirm with the landlord or use the antenna versions instead. Image: Wikimedia Commons.
Zuku: TV bundled with fibre
Zuku (Wananchi Group) sells satellite TV bouquets separately and as part of Triple Play bundles that combine uncapped home fibre, TV and a home phone line. If you already pay for Zuku fibre, the TV add-on is the cheapest way to get pay-TV channels; if you are choosing an ISP anyway, Triple Play can undercut buying DStv plus a separate internet plan.
| Plan | Price (KES) | What it includes |
|---|---|---|
| Zuku Smart (TV only) | KES 449/month | 63 channels via Zuku satellite decoder |
| Zuku Smart Plus | KES 600/month | 70 channels |
| Zuku Classic | KES 1,099/month | 71 channels |
| Zuku Premium | KES 1,549/month | 79 channels |
| Zuku Fibre 10 Mbps (internet only) | KES 2,799/month | Uncapped home fibre, free router and installation |
| Zuku Fibre 20 Mbps | KES 4,199/month | Better for HD streaming on 1–2 TVs |
| Zuku Fibre 60 Mbps | KES 5,999/month | 4K streaming, multi-device households |
| Triple Play 10 / 20 / 60 Mbps | KES 2,899 / 4,399 / 6,299 | Fibre + satellite TV + home phone in one bill |
Zuku fibre coverage is concentrated in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Eldoret and other major towns — check coverage on zuku.co.ke before planning around it. Safaricom Home Fibre and Faiba (Jamii Telecom) are the main alternatives at similar price points, but neither bundles TV channels.
Free-to-air DVB-T2: TV with zero monthly fees
Kenya switched off analogue broadcasting in 2015, and the digital terrestrial network — carried by the licensed signal distributors Signet and PANG, plus the ADN and Bamba multiplexes — now delivers more than 50 free channels: Citizen, KTN, NTV, K24, KBC, Inooro, Kameme, Switch TV, faith stations and more. Any DVB-T2 decoder or a TV with a built-in digital tuner plus a basic aerial receives all of it free, forever.
| Device | Price (KES) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sonar HD FTA decoder | KES 1,137 – 1,999 | Cheapest name-brand free-to-air box on Jumia; bundles with free aerial and extension exist |
| Generic DVB-T2 decoder | KES 1,179 – 1,499 | Unbranded H.265 boxes; receive all Kenyan FTA channels |
| Bamba TV / Signet / PANG decoders | KES 1,500 – 3,500 | Kenya's licensed FTA multiplexes carry Citizen, KTN, NTV, K24, KBC, Inooro and 50+ others |
| StarTimes aerial decoder (FTA mode) | KES 1,699 | Receives free local channels even with no paid bouquet active |
FTA boxes like this one are a one-off purchase — check for the DVB-T2 and H.265 logos before buying. Image: Wikimedia Commons.
Pro tip: before buying a decoder at all, check whether your TV has a DVB-T2 tuner (nearly every flat TV sold in Kenya since ~2016 does). If so, a KES 500–1,000 aerial is the only hardware you need for free local TV.
Streaming: costs, data maths and the honest trade-offs
Streaming prices in Kenya are genuinely low — especially after Showmax's August 2025 price cuts. The catch is delivery: you need uncapped internet for streaming to make financial sense. A single HD football match consumes roughly 2–3GB; on mobile bundles at effectively KES 20–50 per GB, one match can cost KES 60–150 in data alone. On fibre at KES 2,800–6,000/month uncapped, the same match costs nothing extra.
| Service | Monthly (KES) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix Mobile / Basic | KES 200 / 300 | Mobile is phone-only SD; Basic works on TV at 720p |
| Netflix Standard / Premium | KES 700 / 1,100 | Full HD on 2 devices; 4K HDR on 4 devices |
| Showmax Entertainment Mobile | KES 200 | Phone/tablet only; price cut in the August 2025 adjustment |
| Showmax Entertainment (all devices) | KES 550 | TV apps, 2 streams, local shows and movies |
| Showmax Premier League (mobile) | KES 450 | All EPL matches live — but mobile/tablet only |
| Showmax Entertainment + PL bundle | KES 800 | Best legal EPL value if you can watch on a phone or cast |
| DStv Stream (was DStv Now standalone) | Mirrors decoder package prices | Stream the same bouquet without a dish; needs steady internet |
| YouTube (free) / YouTube Premium | Free / ~KES 400+ | Massive free catalogue; Premium removes ads and adds downloads |
Payment is easy locally: Showmax and DStv accept M-Pesa, and Netflix works via M-Pesa Global Pay virtual cards. The DStv Streama device (MultiChoice's own streaming box) is sold in South Africa and occasionally imported — most Kenyan buyers are better served by a Xiaomi box or Chromecast with the DStv Stream app.
Android TV boxes: make any TV smart
If your TV has HDMI but no smart features — or its built-in apps are slow — a streaming box is the fix. These run Netflix, Showmax, DStv Stream, YouTube and ViuSasa, and most include Chromecast for casting from your phone.
| Device | Price (KES) | Spec | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xiaomi TV Box S (3rd Gen) | KES 8,399 – 11,000 | 4K, Google TV, Wi-Fi 6, Dolby Vision/Atmos, 2GB+32GB | Best mainstream pick; genuine units at Xiaomi Home Kenya and Jumia |
| H96 / generic Android TV box | KES 3,000 – 6,500 | 4K, Android TV/AOSP, varying RAM | Cheap but quality varies; some run phone Android and lag on Netflix |
| Google Chromecast (HD / 4K) | KES 5,500 – 9,500 | Google TV, voice remote | Mostly imported; check plug type and warranty |
| Amazon Fire TV Stick | KES 6,000 – 9,000 | 1080p or 4K, Alexa remote | Imported; solid Netflix/Prime experience, no local warranty |
Android TV boxes plug into any HDMI port — prefer certified Google TV devices for full Netflix/Showmax app support. Image: Wikimedia Commons.
Recommended combos per budget
Under KES 5,000 once, KES 0/month
DVB-T2 free-to-air decoder (Sonar/generic) + existing TV aerial
50+ local channels — Citizen, KTN, NTV, KBC, Inooro, faith and vernacular stations — free forever
Under KES 4,000 once, ~KES 300–1,000/month
GOtv decoder + antenna on Value or Plus
All locals plus SuperSport highlights, movies and kids TV on terrestrial signal — no dish needed
Under KES 5,000 once, ~KES 550–1,200/month
StarTimes dish kit + Nova or Smart bouquet
Satellite reliability upcountry plus StarTimes' sport and movie channels
~KES 2,000 once, KES 750–4,200/month
DStv HD Zapper + dish kit on Access, Family or Compact
The classic DStv experience; Compact is where full football coverage starts
KES 8,000–11,000 once + fibre
Xiaomi TV Box S + home fibre + Netflix/Showmax
On-demand everything; add Showmax PL (KES 450) or DStv Stream for live sport
Best sport on a budget
FTA decoder for locals + Showmax PL mobile + GOtv Supa+ if you want TV EPL
Every EPL match legally for far less than DStv Premium
The hybrid approach most Kenyan households land on: a free-to-air decoder or TV tuner for local news and entertainment, GOtv or StarTimes for affordable sport, and one streaming subscription when fibre is available. You rarely need everything at once — pay TV is easy to start and stop month to month.
FAQs
How much is a DStv decoder in Kenya in 2026?
After MultiChoice's late-2025 hardware price cut under Canal+, the HD Zapper decoder costs about KES 719 online (KES 840 retail), the HD Zapper plus dish kit about KES 1,919 online (KES 2,240 retail), and the Explora about KES 13,500 online (KES 15,750 retail), down from KES 22,500. Installation may be charged separately depending on the installer.
What is the cheapest way to watch TV in Kenya?
A one-off free-to-air DVB-T2 decoder (Sonar or generic, KES 1,100–1,500) connected to a normal UHF aerial gets you 50+ local channels — Citizen, KTN, NTV, K24, KBC, Inooro and more — with zero monthly fees. Kenya has been fully digital (DVB-T2) since the 2015 analogue switch-off, and most flat TVs sold locally also have a built-in DVB-T2 tuner that needs no decoder at all.
Which package has the English Premier League in Kenya?
On satellite, EPL matches sit on SuperSport channels available from DStv Compact (KES 4,200) upward, with the full fixture list on Compact Plus (KES 7,300) and Premium (KES 11,700). On GOtv, the dedicated Premier League channel is on Supa+ (KES 3,199). The cheapest legal EPL route is Showmax Premier League at KES 450/month — but it only works on phones and tablets.
Is streaming cheaper than a decoder in Kenya?
It depends on your internet. If you already pay for home fibre (Zuku, Safaricom or Faiba, roughly KES 2,800–6,000/month), streaming via Netflix (from KES 200) and Showmax (from KES 200–800) is excellent value. Streaming over mobile data is expensive — an HD match can eat 2–3GB, which can cost more in bundles than a month of GOtv. Without uncapped internet, a decoder is usually cheaper per hour watched.
GOtv or StarTimes — which is better value?
Both are aerial/satellite hybrids at similar prices. GOtv's strength is SuperSport content, Maisha Magic and its Supa tiers; StarTimes costs slightly less per tier (Nyota at KES 329, Nova at KES 549) and offers weekly and even daily subscriptions, which suits irregular budgets. GOtv needs only a GOtenna aerial; StarTimes dish kits (KES 3,499) work better in weak terrestrial-signal areas.
Do I still need a decoder if I have a smart TV?
For local channels, no — virtually every smart TV sold in Kenya since 2016 has a built-in DVB-T2 tuner, so an aerial alone gives you all free-to-air channels. For DStv or GOtv you still need their decoder (or the DStv Stream app for DStv), since their channel decryption is tied to the smartcard. For Netflix, Showmax and YouTube, the apps run natively on the TV or via a KES 8,000-class Android TV box.
Sources
- DStv Kenya: official package comparison and prices
- Tech-ish: MultiChoice decoder price cuts under Canal+ (October 2025)
- Khusoko: August 2025 DStv, GOtv and Showmax price adjustment
- GOtv Kenya: official packages and channel counts
- Uzalendo News: discounted DStv and GOtv hardware prices
- StarTimes Kenya: official bouquet prices
- Zuku: official fibre and TV package prices
- Tuko: best free-to-air decoders in Kenya
- Tech With Muchiri: Netflix Kenya plan pricing
- Xiaomi Stores Kenya: TV Box S 3rd Gen pricing and specs
