The Federal Government has launched FreeTV, a free-to-air digital television platform aimed at expanding access to quality broadcasting and creating fresh economic opportunities for broadcasters and content creators across the country.
Unveiled in Abuja as part of Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) programme, the platform will offer Nigerians access to more than 100 television channels without monthly subscription fees.
The channels will feature news, sports, movies, music, educational programmes and indigenous language content.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the initiative as a major milestone in the nation’s broadcasting history, saying the platform would stimulate local content production, boost advertising revenue and open new income streams for media operators and creative professionals.
According to the government, FreeTV will operate through satellite and terrestrial transmission networks, as well as a mobile application, enabling millions of Nigerians in both urban and rural communities to enjoy digital television services at no extra cost.
The Federal Government also adopted a hybrid broadcasting model combining Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), Direct-to-Home satellite services and digital platforms to accelerate the country’s long-delayed digital migration process.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, said the project aligns with the administration’s digital transformation agenda and would contribute significantly to economic growth and job creation.
Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, said the initiative marks the beginning of a new era in Nigeria’s broadcasting industry, noting that it would widen access to information and entertainment while providing local creatives with a larger audience and greater opportunities for growth.
