FG fixes June 17 for nationwide digital switchover launch

The Federal Government has announced June 17 as the official date for the nationwide launch of Nigeria’s Digital Switchover (DSO) programme, signalling a fresh push to fully migrate the country from analogue to digital broadcasting.

Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, disclosed this after inspecting facilities linked to the project, describing the initiative as a transformative step for the broadcasting sector.

He said the digital transition would expand opportunities for broadcasters, advertisers, and viewers by improving access to channels and introducing audience measurement systems.

“For many years, Nigerians have been grappling with the idea of the Digital Switchover. Now, this has happened and is ready to be commissioned on the 17th of June this year,” Idris said.

According to him, the platform already hosts several unbundled television channels, giving viewers more viewing options while helping advertisers track audience behaviour more accurately.

“Science is now at play. If you are viewing any particular station, you know who is viewing what and how many people are watching. The standard measurement that was absent in previous experiments is now available,” he stated.

He explained that the technology would allow advertisers to identify their target audience more effectively, thereby improving advertising value and increasing revenue potential for broadcasters.

The minister credited the progress recorded on the project to collaboration among the Nigerian Communications Satellite (NIGCOMSAT), the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the Ministry of Communications, and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation.

He also praised President Bola Tinubu for supporting the implementation of the initiative.

“It has been a shame in the past that Nigeria could not achieve this, but now the digital switchover is here. Everybody can now watch whatever they want in real time through free television services,” he added.

Speaking on whether the platform was intended to rival subscription-based television providers such as DStv, Idris said the project was aimed at widening access and encouraging healthy competition within the industry.

“I don’t always want to use the word substitute, but it is offering opportunities to get what people could not access before.

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“The monopoly has now been broken, and competition is going to set in,” he said.

He added that greater competition would encourage content expansion, increase audience reach, and open up more economic opportunities in the advertising and broadcast sectors.

Idris further disclosed that although the service currently operates on Standard Definition (SD), plans are underway to migrate to High Definition (HD) quality comparable to global standards.

He said the service would also be accessible through mobile applications and satellite coverage across parts of Sub-Saharan Africa where NIGCOMSAT services are available.

Reflecting on previous failed DSO efforts, the minister said the current administration had addressed earlier challenges, including the issue of costly encrypted set-top boxes.

“In the past, the boxes provided were encrypted and expensive. Now, this is free. Government has already taken off some of these costs on behalf of Nigerians,” he explained.

He also noted that unlike previous pilot phases that covered only a few cities, the new rollout would enjoy broader nationwide coverage through satellite technology.

Describing the project as “very encouraging,” Idris assured Nigerians that the government would continue upgrading the platform to improve user experience.

Also speaking, Jane Egerton-Idehen, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NIGCOMSAT, described the rollout as a major breakthrough for Nigeria’s broadcasting landscape.

She said the initiative would provide Nigerians with improved free-to-air television services with wider accessibility and better quality.

Egerton-Idehen also highlighted the partnership between NIGCOMSAT, NBC, the Ministry of Communications, and the Ministry of Information and National Orientation in driving the rollout process.

She commended President Tinubu for supporting the nationwide implementation of the project.

According to her, the service would eventually migrate fully from SD to HD, while additional upgrades were already being planned.

She added that increased competition among broadcasters would create more opportunities for local content production and advertising growth.

Egerton-Idehen further stated that unlike previous pilot schemes limited to a handful of cities, the new digital switchover would leverage satellite technology and mobile applications to achieve wider coverage across Nigeria and parts of Sub-Saharan Africa.

She also revealed that available channels on the platform are expected to increase to 100 before the official launch, with discussions ongoing with additional content providers seeking to join the service.