Entertainment channel Africa Magic edged out government-run NTA in July to become Nigeria's most-viewed television station, according to measurement company GeoPoll.

Earlier this year, GeoPoll started carrying out mobile surveys regarding television viewing habits among 300 million African in countries such as Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya.

Data collected forms part of GeoPoll's Audience Measurement Service on the continent.

And the GeoPoll data indicates that in July, Africa Magic overtook NTA to become Nigeria's top TV station during that month.

Africa Magic forms part of pay TV company MultiChoice's DStv line-up. Meanwhile, NTA has various branches and network centres across the West African nation.

"In July, Africa Magic had total a total of 3.17 billion views over the month, and NTA had 3.03 billion views, down from June," says GeoPoll in blog post.

"In June, NTA was the most-watched TV station with total 3.355 billion views. In second place for June, was Africa Magic with 3.074 billion views," says GeoPoll in an accompanying press statement.

The data further reveals that African Independent Television (AIT) -- which features news, movies and religious programming -- trailed behind the two top channels with 2.09 billion views. However, another MultiChoice channel Supersport had a total of 1.66 billion views while GeoPoll also notes that Channels TV had 1.29 billion.

Other statistics revealed by GeoPoll indicate that NTA and Africa Magic held between them 45% of all surveyed television viewership in Nigeria, and that the most popular time to watch TV in the country is at 6pm.