The 2021 edition of the popular reality TV show, Big Brother Naija, was launched on July 24. You can now watch Big Brother Naija live on DSTV channel 198 or GOTV channel 29 via your decoder. But what if you want to watch while on the move or outside Nigeria / Africa? Here we provide a guide on how to watch Big Brother Nigeria online using a laptop, desktop, Smart TV, gaming console, or on a smartphone using a mobile app from anywhere in the world.
DSTV has an app called DSTV Now. With the DSTV Now app (now just called the DSTV app), which is available for iOS and Android devices (including Android TV), you can stream and watch Big Brother Naija live on your mobile phone and tablet.
You can also visit the DSTV Now website to stream Big Brother Naija live on your Windows laptop and Desktop as well as your Macbook and Mac computers.
DSTV Now is a free app available to all active DSTV subscribers. It enables you watch live TV on the go including Big Brother Naija 6.
If you are not a DSTV Subscriber or you live in the United Kingdom, there is another solution for you.
For as Little as 1,200 Naira (or $2.99)
Showmax, a Netflix competitor in Africa, at just 1,200 Naira per month (or $2.99) on mobile is almost free. In addition to enabling you watch Big Brother Naija live, ShowMax also offers exclusive contents on happenings in the Big Brother house.
You can also download or stream series, movies, and shows on ShowMax. You get a 14 days free trial. Showmax is available on mobile, Smart TV, Tablets, Laptops, the DSTV Explora, as well as Gaming consoles like the Sony PS4 and XBox One X, and .
However, to watch on a device that is not a mobile phone, you pay 2,900 Naira ($7.99) per month. DSTV Premium subscribers get Showmax free.
If you are currently outside Nigeria, South Africa, or any of the other African countries where DSTV is operational, you will not be able to access DSTV App or ShowMax as a result of Geo-Blocking. However, do not worry, keep reading we have a solution that may work for you.
If you are in the United Kingdom, you can now watch Big Brother Naija live on ShowMax. Monthly subscription starts at $4.49 in the UK.
How to Watch Big Brother Naija Online
- Visit now.dstv.com on a browser on your computer. You will need to have a compatible browser installed See below
- Login with your DSTV Connect ID. The first time you login to the DSTV Now website, you will be required to create DSTV Connect ID. You will need your smart card number to create the ID
- Click on the Live TV menu. This shows a list of TV channels available for streaming
- Scroll down to Big Brother Naija 6: Live Broadcast
- Click on the BBNaija tile to begin streaming the show
Browser support for DSTV Now
- Chrome version 53 or higher
- Firefox version 47 or higher
- Internet Explorer 11 or higher on Windows 8.1 or higher
- Microsoft Edge on Windows 10 or higher
- Safari 9 or higher on Mac OS X 10.11 or higher
- Opera 43 or higher on Windows 10 or higher
How to Watch Big Brother Naija on Mobile Devices
- Open the DSTV Now App on your Android or iOS device. You can download the App at the PlayStore or Apple Store. To download DSTV Now for Android Click Here and to Download DSTV Now for iOS Click Here
- Login with your DSTV Connect ID. The first time you login to the DSTV Now App, you will be required to create DSTV Connect ID. You will need your smart card number to create the ID
- Tap on the DSTV Now Menu icon
- Tap on the Live TV menu. This shows a list of TV channels available for streaming
- Scroll down to Big Brother Naija 6: Live Broadcast
- Tap on the BBNaija item to begin streaming the show
Note that to watch Big Brother Naija online or on mobile via DSTV Now, you will need to be a valid subscriber to DSTV. You also need a data plan (preferably an unlimited data plan) and a reasonably fast internet connection (preferably 3G, 4G LTE, Wi-Fi, or 5G).
Previously, DSTV Now was restricted to DSTV Premium, DSTV Compact Plus, and DSTV Compact subscribers, but all subscribers can now enjoy the service, though you will only have access to the channels supported on your current subscription plan.
Live 24/7 Big Brother Naija 6 broadcast on Channel 198 will be available on DSTV Premium, Compact Plus, Compact, Confam, and Yanga. Subscribers to GoTV will be able to watch the Big Brother Naija 6 24/7 live broadcast on channel 29 if they subscribe to GoTV Max and Jolli packages.
So, if you are subscribing to the entry DSTV Padi package, you will not be able to watch Big Brother Naija live, since live BBN broadcast is not available in the bouquet. However, you can follow highlights on available Africa Magic channels.
Watch Big Brother Naija on Showmax for Exclusive Content
The beauty of Showmax is that in addition to watching BBN live, you also get some exclusive content about the show. You can also catchup on show highlights on demand like the Nomination show, Head of House Challenge, Weekly highlights, Daily highlights, etc.
Also for the first time Big Brother Naija fans in the United Kingdom will now be able to watch the show live all via Showmax.
Showmax comes in two main plans, each further broken down into two. There is a Showmax and a Showmax Mobile plan priced at ₦2900 and ₦1,200 respectively with later plan only accessible on Mobile. You also get to watch Series, Movies, TV shows, and Kids shows.
If you love live sports and news, you can go for the Showmax Pro and Showmax Pro Mobile priced at ₦6300 and ₦3200 respectively. You can watch Big Brother Naija on all the plans.
The major difference between the mobile plans and the full packages is that while the mobile plans enable you watch on only one mobile device, the full packages allows access to the service on up to five devices, though you can only watch simultaneously on two devices.
How to Watch Big Brother Naija on Showmax
- Open the Showmax app on your device or visit the website on your browser. You can download the App at the PlayStore or Apple Store. It is also available for your Smart TV and Gaming Console. To download Showmax for Android, Click Here and to Download Showmax for iOS, Click Here
- Signup with your email, password, and phone number. If you have already registered, just signin.
- Tap on the Big Brother Naija Live Broadcast Banner to start streaming.
Watch Big Brother Naija Outside Nigeria / Africa
BBNaija and other DSTV content is only available in Nigeria, South Africa, and other African countries where DSTV is operational. Viewers in the UK can watch via ShowMax without any restrictions.
This means that if you are on a vacation outside these regions or a recent emigrant who is longing for local content, you will not be able to watch Big Brother Naija, except with a VPN or a Smart DNS Proxy.
A VPN (or a Virtual Private Network) enables you mask your real location while allowing you pick any location supported by the service as your location. So, essentially they enable you bypass internet restrictions.
The trick is in picking a location where the content you want to watch is not Geo-Blocked. To pick a location, the VPN also must have servers in that location. Note however, that recently DSTV has been making it harder to circumvent their Geo-Blocking even with VPN. So, expect access to be off and on. This is just a hack and experimental at best.
Best VPN for Watching Big Brother Naija Outside Nigeria, South Africa, Africa
1. Ivacy VPN
With over 3500 servers in more than 100 locations, Ivacy is one of the best VPN providers as far as coverage is concerned. In Africa, the service boasts of 62 servers in 4 DSTV/Showmax countries namely: South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, and Seychelles. Of course, UK is also available for Showmax. For more info, Click Here
2. PureVPN
This is another option with good coverage in Africa, boasting 69 servers in 4 DSTV/Showmax countries in the continent, namely: South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Angola. PureVPN supports 256-bit encryption, p2p tunneling, and can be used with up to 10 login accounts. ShowMax is also available in the UK. Learn More
3. NordVPN
NordVPN is a good option is you want to pick South Africa as your location as that is the only relevant country except for UK with ShowMax. You can connect up to 6 devices simultaneously. For more info, Visit Site
4. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is good for picking South Africa and Kenya. You get a 30 day money back guarantee. You get best in class encryption with AES 256. This service also offers you the best in class privacy with private DNS. Click Here
5. BulletVPN
This is another good choice if you want to pick South Africa. With 15 servers in the country, they come highly recommended by users. BulletVPN also specifically lists DSTV as one of the services it help bypass geo-blocking restrictions. It supports up to 6 devices simultaneously. Click Here
6. UnLocator
Unlocator offers both VPN and Smart DNS services. It is one of the best options for South Africa. Smart DNS is more affordable, but does not offer encryption and privacy benefits of VPN. The service also offers a free trial period which means you can see if it works for you before making any commitment. Click Here
How to Watch Big Brother Naija on DSTV App outside Nigeria / Africa
- Using your VPN, connect to a Server in a location where the DSTV App is not blocked. e.g. South Africa or Nigeria. You have to first download and install your chosen VPN app for your device.
- Open the DSTV App on your Device. You have to download it and login. You also need to have a valid DSTV subscription.
- Tap on Live TV. This shows a list of available live TV channels categorised in tabs like Recently Watched, All Channels, Sports, General Entertainment, News and Commerce, etc
- Tap on All Channels tab. This shows a list of all live TV channels available on the app.
- Scroll Down to Channel 198 and Tap on Big Brother Naija. You can also read our article on the DSTV App to learn more about the service as well as how to reduce your data usage while streaming.
How to Watch Big Brother Naija on Showmax Outside Nigeria / Africa
- Connect to a Server in a location where ShowMax is not blocked with your VPN. e.g. South Africa, Nigeria, or UK. You have to first download and install your chosen VPN app for your device.
- Open the Showmax app on your device or visit the website on your browser. You have to download it and login. You also need a valid subscription.
- Tap on the Big Brother Naija Live Banner to start streaming.
- You can also read our article on the ShowMax to learn more about the service and subscription costs as well as how to reduce your data usage while streaming.
The 2021 edition of Big Brother Naija was launched on July 24, 2021 and will run for 10 weeks with 90 million Naira worth of prizes on offer. BBNaija Season 6 premiered in a special double launch show that aired on Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25 with 22 contestants (inclusive of 2 wildcards) welcomed in the house.
On August 8, four additional housemates were brought into the house, bringing the total contestants to 26. Two contestants who were nominated for eviction were also evicted on the same day. WhiteMoney became the eventual winner.
The launch shows were broadcast on channel 198 on DSTV and channel 29 on GoTV as well as on Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Urban, and Africa Magic Family.
The 2020 edition of the popular reality TV show, BBNaija, started on July 19, 2020 and ended on September 27 2020 and was won by LAYCON.
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