The Federal Government has fixed Dec. 2028 as the deadline for final transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting.
The Director General, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr Charles Ebuebu, made this known in an interview in Abuja.
Ebuebu said the Dec. 2028 deadline, marks the final analogue switch-off.
“We put a timeline for analogue switch-off. Before that time, a lot of things will be put in place. This is just phase one,” he said.
He said subsequent phases would cover paid television services, studio development and designated production centres for content creators.
The NBC boss said audience measurement was also progressing, with a proof of concept completed in about 7,000 homes in Lagos, while implementation had commenced in Abuja.
According to him, the commission will make the phases public after consultations with key stakeholders, including the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, to secure their buy-in.
He said the analogue switch-off would free up valuable spectrum for other uses, describing it as a strategic national asset.
Ebuebu said the spectrum will be professionally valued before allocation to users such as telecommunications, application and financial services companies.
“I won’t put a sum to it, but it is valued upwards of about 50 billion dollars. Consultants will determine its actual value before allocation,” he said.
On obsolete broadcasting equipment, Ebuebu said the commission was developing a policy based on expert input and international best practices.
He said the Digital Switch Over white paper required broadcasters to separate content production from transmission, with transmission handled by signal distributors such as NIGCOMSAT.
According to him, obsolete analogue equipment may be repurposed where possible, while government will be approached to absorb unusable assets to prevent environmental hazards from industrial waste.
Meanwhile, the National Broadcasting Commission says Nigerians will no longer pay annual Digital Access Fees under the renewed Digital Switch Over (DSO) project.
NBC Director General, Mr Charles Ebuebu disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja,
Ebuebu said viewers only need to purchase an approved decoder and satellite dish which cost below N20,000 to enjoy free television permanently.
“Previously, users paid an annual digital access fee of about N1,500, described as an administrative charge.
“The new system removes that annual fee. It provides free access to free-to-air television channels without any payment.
“Premium channels will be introduced later. Viewers who want those additional channels will be able to access them through paid services.
“Nigerian content on free-to-air channels remains free to watch. Unlike Pay TV, this platform does not require monthly subscriptions for its basic service,” he said.
Ebuebu said approved decoders for the Freetv will cost less than N20,000 and authorised sales outlets will soon be announced.
He urged Nigerians to wait for official information on approved dealers for the DSO decoders, warning that unauthorised sellers are exploiting growing public demand.
He reiterated that people only need a free-to-air decoder, along with a satellite dish instead of the old antenna system to receive the DSO signal.
“Once the equipment is installed, viewers can access all available channels across the country without paying any subscription fees,” he stressed.
The DG dismissed claims by some retailers that there are different categories of decoders sold at varying prices, stressing that such sellers are not authorised by the commission.
According to him, the NBC will soon publish the list of approved dealers, official prices, and locations where genuine decoder boxes and accessories can be purchased.
The NBC boss said the DSO project is designed not only to improve television broadcasting but also to stimulate economic growth by creating jobs, attracting investment, and opening up opportunities for businesses that support the broadcasting industry.
Ebuebu noted that content producers and broadcasters stand to benefit significantly from the nationwide reach of the DSO platform.
Unlike the previous system, where many stations had limited regional audiences, he said the new platform will make their channels available to viewers across Nigeria.
He added that the introduction of audience measurement technology will provide scientific and reliable data on television viewership.
Ebuebu added that audience measurement technology will give advertisers greater confidence in placing adverts and enable broadcasters to demonstrate the true size and reach of their audiences nationwide.