Free TV to Reach 40m Households with 100 Channels — FG

The Federal Government has set a target of reaching at least 40 million television households across Nigeria through the revived Digital Switch Over (DSO) project, with plans to offer up to 100 free-to-air television channels.

Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, disclosed the plan during an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.

He explained that the renewed DSO programme has moved away from the earlier terrestrial broadcasting model, which failed to provide broad coverage across the country. According to him, the new satellite-based system is designed to reach viewers nationwide from the start, giving more households access to free television services.

Ebuebu said the government is working towards bringing the service to no fewer than 40 million homes. He added that the platform is expected to carry as many as 100 free-to-air television channels when fully expanded.

He recalled that the previous DSO programme introduced by the last administration was rolled out in only eight states. Depending on the state, the platform carried between 24 and 28 television channels.

The NBC chief explained that the earlier strategy combined terrestrial broadcasting, which was expected to cover between 75 and 80 per cent of the country, with satellite services for areas where mountains and other physical barriers affected signal reception.

However, after the project was launched in eight states, it became clear that terrestrial broadcasting had reached less than one-quarter of the country. The limited coverage exposed the challenges associated with the required infrastructure.

He said expanding terrestrial coverage across Nigeria would require about 160 transmission towers, expensive imported equipment and more than three years of work. These factors led the commission to adopt a satellite-based approach instead.

Ebuebu stated that the satellite system provides nationwide coverage immediately, removing the need to wait for the construction of transmission towers before viewers can access television services.

He disclosed that the renewed DSO platform already carries more than 73 television channels across Nigeria, while work is ongoing to increase the number to 100 within the coming months.

According to him, the NBC remains responsible for regulating broadcasting activities in Nigeria, including radio, television and online broadcasting, while Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) provides both satellite and ground services for the DSO project.

He explained that NIGCOMSAT uses its satellite capacity to transmit the channels. The satellite covers not only Nigeria but also the entire sub-Saharan African region, making it suitable for carrying the DSO services.

Ebuebu added that the new system allows viewers to watch television stations from different parts of Nigeria regardless of where they live. Unlike terrestrial broadcasting, which depends on physical transmission towers, satellite transmission gives nationwide access without geographical restrictions.

He also said the renewed Digital Switch Over programme offers viewers more television channels, improved picture quality and wider access to programmes produced across the country.

According to him, the project will also help promote national unity by making regional television stations available to audiences in every part of Nigeria.