The Federal Government has launched FreeTV, a new digital television platform offering more than 100 free channels, marking a major step in Nigeria’s transition from analogue to digital broadcasting and creating fresh opportunities for content creators, advertisers, manufacturers and small businesses.
The platform was officially unveiled in Abuja by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, as part of Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) programme.
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FreeTV will provide access to a wide range of content, including news, sports, movies, music, educational programmes, children’s content and dedicated Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo language channels. The service will be available through satellite and terrestrial transmission networks, as well as a mobile application designed to extend access to viewers in both urban and rural communities.
According to the government, households with compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders will not need to purchase new television sets to access the service. Existing free-to-air decoders that meet the required standards will also work without additional equipment.
Speaking at the launch, Idris described the Digital Switch Over project as more than a technological upgrade, saying it is a strategic investment in Nigeria’s future that will generate employment, strengthen local content production and support economic growth.
He explained that a fully implemented digital broadcasting ecosystem would create jobs, stimulate local manufacturing, expand audience reach, increase advertising opportunities and unlock new revenue streams for broadcasters and content creators.
The minister said the launch demonstrates the Federal Government’s commitment to digital transformation, innovation and infrastructure development under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
He noted that the project is expected to modernise the broadcasting industry while creating opportunities for Nigerian businesses, innovators and workers. According to him, the government is committed to ensuring that local manufacturers and creative professionals remain at the centre of the country’s digital broadcasting ecosystem.
Ahead of the launch, consultations were held with key stakeholders across the broadcasting value chain, including broadcasters, signal distributors, set-top box manufacturers, content producers, regulators and industry associations. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to the successful implementation of the programme despite differing views on certain aspects of execution.
The government also announced that Nigeria will adopt a hybrid broadcasting model that combines Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), Direct-to-Home satellite services and digital application-based platforms to improve access and expand coverage nationwide.
The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, said the platform aligns with efforts to expand access to digital services while creating economic opportunities for Nigerians.
He noted that FreeTV will allow families to enjoy quality television services without monthly subscription fees while opening new markets and platforms for content creators, technicians and creative professionals.
The NBC further disclosed that regional production studios in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin will play a key role in supporting the initiative. The facilities are expected to create jobs for editors, camera operators, sound engineers, technicians and other professionals across the media and creative industries.
For small businesses, the expansion of free digital television could provide more affordable advertising channels and access to wider audiences, particularly as digital broadcasting increases viewership and content diversity across the country.
The commission maintained that Nigeria’s final analogue switch-off remains scheduled for December 31, 2028, and encouraged citizens to verify the compatibility of their decoders and download the FreeTV mobile application ahead of the nationwide rollout.
The launch of FreeTV and the Digital Switch Over platform is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s creative economy while accelerating the country’s digital transformation agenda, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs, media professionals and businesses operating across the broadcasting value chain.
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