The Federal Government has announced the launch of FreeTV, a national digital television platform that will provide Nigerians with access to more than 100 television channels without monthly subscription fees.
The platform is scheduled to be launched on June 17 as part of efforts to expand digital broadcasting services across the country.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the government said FreeTV would offer national, regional and state television channels free of charge to viewers nationwide.
According to the statement, the initiative is part of Nigeria’s Digital Switch-Over, DSO, programme aimed at increasing access to digital broadcasting services.
The platform will feature news, sports, movies, music, children’s programmes, educational content and dedicated indigenous language channels, including Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo.
The government stated that the service would be available through satellite and terrestrial transmission, as well as the FreeTV mobile application, enabling users in both urban and rural communities to access digital television content.
It explained that Nigerians would not be required to purchase new television sets, provided they have compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders.
The government added that households already using compatible free-to-air decoders may not need additional equipment to access the service.
Speaking ahead of the launch, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Charles Ebuebu, said the platform would improve access to digital content and create opportunities for players in the creative industry.
“FreeTV speaks directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of Renewed Hope towards expanding access, creating opportunity and ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location or income, can benefit from the digital economy,” he said.
“With FreeTV, families across Nigeria can enjoy quality digital television without a monthly subscription, while our local content producers, technicians and young creatives gain new platforms and new jobs.”
The NBC said the initiative would also support Nigeria’s creative sector through regional production studios located in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin.
According to the commission, the studios are expected to provide opportunities for content creators, editors, camera operators, sound engineers, technicians and other professionals in the broadcasting industry.
The commission further disclosed that Nigeria’s final analogue switch-off remains scheduled for December 31, 2028, and advised citizens to confirm the compatibility of their decoders and download the FreeTV mobile application ahead of the rollout.
