FG Targets 40 Million Households With 100 Free TV Channels

The Federal Government has announced plans to expand access to free television broadcasting to 40 million households through the renewed Digital Switch-Over (DSO) project.

Under the initiative, Nigerians will be able to access up to 100 free-to-air television channels via satellite and digital terrestrial broadcasting without monthly subscription fees.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Director- General, Charles Ebuebe, disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja.

Mr. Ebuebe said the DSO strategy replaced the previous terrestrial transmission model, which achieved limited nationwide coverage.

He said the satelite-based platform would provide wider coverage and significantly increase access to free television services across the country.

“We are gunning for 40 million TV households. Count 40 million homes at a minimum. That’s what we’re targeting”, he said.

According to him, the satelite platform will provide up to 100 free-to-air television channels nationwide.

Mr. Ebuebe said the previous terrestrial model was launched in eight states by the last administration, and the platform carried between 24 and 28 channels, depending on the location.

“The previous DSO plan combined terrestrial broadcasting for 75 percent to 80 per cent nationwide coverage with satellite services for areas where terrain, such as mountains, blocked terrestrial signals.

“After launching in eight states, it became clear that terrestrial broadcasting had covered less than a quarter of Nigeria, revealing major infrastructure and coverage limitations”, the NBC chief explained.

He noted that achieving nationwide terrestrial coverage would require about 160 transmission towers, costly imported equipment, and over three years to complete, prompting a change in the DSO implementation strategy.

“We, therefore, decided to go by satelite that covers Nigeria totally from day one”, he added.

The DG said the renewed project already transmits more than 73 channels nationwide and aims to reach 100 channels in the coming months, assuring that the project is aimed at improving nationwide access to quality digital broadcasting, promoting local content, bridging the information gap, and accelerating Nigeria’s transition from analogue to digital television.

-9News Nigeria.