THE National Broadcasting Commission has said that the renewed Digital Switch Over project is targeting at least 40 million television households with up to 100 free-to-air channels nationwide.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Director-General of the NBC, Charles Ebuebu, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Wednesday in Abuja.
Ebuebu explained that the renewed DSO strategy had replaced the previous terrestrial transmission model, which achieved only limited nationwide coverage.
According to him, the new satellite-based platform will provide wider coverage and significantly expand access to free television services across the country.
“We are gunning for 40 million TV households. Count 40 million homes at a minimum. That’s what we’re targeting,” he said.
Ebuebu stated that the satellite platform would provide up to 100 free-to-air television channels nationwide.
He recalled that the previous terrestrial model, introduced by the last administration, was launched in eight states and carried between 24 and 28 channels, depending on the location.
“The previous DSO plan combined terrestrial broadcasting for 75 per cent to 80 per cent nationwide coverage with satellite services for areas where terrain, such as mountains, blocked terrestrial signals.
“After launching in eight states, it became clear that terrestrial broadcasting had covered less than a quarter of Nigeria, revealing major infrastructure and coverage limitations.
“Achieving nationwide terrestrial coverage would require about 160 transmission towers, costly imported equipment, and more than three years to complete, prompting a change in the DSO implementation strategy.
“We, therefore, decided to go by satellite, which covers Nigeria completely from day one,” he said.
The NBC Director-General further disclosed that the renewed project already transmits more than 73 channels nationwide and is targeting 100 channels in the coming months.
He explained that while the NBC remains the regulator of the broadcasting industry, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited provides satellite and ground services for the Digital Switch Over programme.
“We are the regulator of broadcast media in Nigeria, whether radio, TV, online and all of that.
“NIGCOMSAT, on the other hand, is providing satellite services and ground services for the DSO.
“They are using their satellite capacity, which covers not just Nigeria but the whole of sub-Saharan Africa, to provide carriage for the DSO,” he said.
Ebuebu added that viewers can now watch television channels from every part of Nigeria regardless of where they are located.
He noted that satellite transmission offers immediate nationwide coverage, unlike terrestrial broadcasting, which depends heavily on transmission towers and other infrastructure.
Describing the renewed Digital Switch Over initiative as “a better proposition,” the NBC boss said the project would offer more channels, clearer pictures and wider access to Nigerian content.
He added that the initiative would also strengthen national integration by making regional television channels accessible to audiences across the country.