FG unveils plan to reach 40 million homes with free digital television

The Federal Government has announced that its renewed Digital Switch Over (DSO) project will provide up to 100 free television channels to at least 40 million households across Nigeria.

The Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, disclosed this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ebuebu explained that the government has changed its approach to the project by replacing the previous terrestrial broadcasting system with a satellite-based platform that can cover the entire country from the start.

According to him, the new system is aimed at increasing access to television services and Nigerian content nationwide.

“We are targeting at least 40 million TV households across the country,” he said.

He noted that the old DSO model, which was launched in eight states, provided between 24 and 28 channels depending on the location. However, the new satellite platform is already broadcasting more than 73 channels nationwide, with plans to increase the number to 100 in the coming months.

Ebuebu said the earlier terrestrial broadcasting system covered less than one-quarter of Nigeria despite significant investments, exposing major infrastructure and coverage challenges.

He explained that achieving nationwide coverage through terrestrial broadcasting would have required about 160 transmission towers, imported equipment and several years of work.

“That is why we decided to use satellite technology, which can cover the whole country from day one,” he said.

The NBC boss added that while the commission remains the regulator of the broadcasting industry, the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) is responsible for providing satellite and ground services for the project.

He said the platform will allow Nigerians to watch television channels from different parts of the country regardless of where they live, helping to promote national unity and improve access to information.

Ebuebu described the satellite-based DSO project as a better option because it offers wider coverage, clearer picture quality and the ability to carry more channels.