By Peace Udugba -The daily torch media
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced a major breakthrough in Nigeria’s long-delayed digital broadcasting transition with the launch of “FreeTV,” a free-to-air Direct-to-Home (DTH) national platform powered by satellite and IP delivery systems.
Speaking at the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) 81st General Assembly on Wednesday, NBC Director-General, Dr. Charles Ebuebu, acknowledged that over ₦60 billion invested in the past 17 years has yielded limited results, with digital signals reaching only eight states. He noted that the industry has also struggled with the absence of reliable audience data and sustainable revenue streams.
Determined to avoid past pitfalls, the NBC said FreeTV will officially launch on May 15, 2026, offering more than 100 high-definition channels with full nationwide coverage and no encryption.
To encourage participation, the Commission announced that qualified broadcasters will enjoy 18 months of free carriage, provided they meet a minimum of 60 per cent local content requirement and actively promote the platform.
In a move expected to transform Nigeria’s media measurement landscape, NBC revealed that a modern audience measurement system from GARB Bulgaria—already operational in Europe since 2006—will provide credible and verifiable viewership data for the first time.
The Commission also disclosed plans to establish six regional production studios in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, and Benin. These hubs are expected to generate thousands of jobs while boosting the production of authentic Nigerian content for national distribution.
NBC further confirmed that Nigeria’s full analogue switch-off has been rescheduled for December 31, 2028, as part of renewed efforts to complete the Digital Switchover (DSO) process.
Addressing BON members, the Director-General emphasized that participation in the FreeTV initiative is not optional but a collective responsibility. He described the platform as a shared opportunity to reposition Nigeria’s broadcasting industry for the future.
“We faced these challenges together. Now we will fix it together,” he stated.
Background: Digital Switchover
Digital Switchover (DSO), also known as analogue switch-off, is the global transition from analogue television broadcasting to digital terrestrial transmission. The shift enables better picture and sound quality, increased channel capacity, reduced transmission costs, and the release of valuable spectrum for telecommunications and broadband services.
Globally, many developed countries—including the United States and the United Kingdom—completed their transitions years ago, while several African nations, including Nigeria, have experienced delays due to funding, infrastructure, and policy challenges.
Nigeria began its DSO journey between 2006 and 2012, with pilot rollouts in cities such as Jos, Abuja, Kaduna, and Kwara. However, the country missed the International Telecommunication Union’s 2015 deadline.
Under the current administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the project has been revived, with NBC collaborating with Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) to deploy a hybrid terrestrial-satellite model aimed at achieving nationwide digital coverage, especially in underserved and remote communities.
The successful rollout of FreeTV is expected to expand access to quality television, stimulate local content production, and unlock new economic opportunities across Nigeria’s broadcasting ecosystem.
