The Federal Government has approved the sum of N10 billion for the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to fast-track the process of achieving the Digital Switch-Over (DSO) of the broadcast sector.
This development was disclosed in Abuja by Mr. Charles Ebuebu, Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) at a joint Press conference with Dr. Aminu Maida, the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
According to Mr. Ebuebu, “This grant observed that adopting the digital broadcasting standards will align Nigeria with global norms, enhance the nation’s competitiveness and attract foreign investments.” He added that digital broadcasting will bridge the digital divide, ensure access to vital information, education, and entertainment for remote and underserved communities.
The NBC DG stated that the DSO project is a catalyst for Nigeria’s media and socio-economic transformation and will stimulate significant job creation, drive economic growth, and expand the industry.
The NBC, according to Mr. Ebuebu, is in collaboration with the NCC to accelerate the process adding that this collaboration signifies a strategic alliance and a unified effort to bring about a seamless transition to digital broadcasting and underscores NCC’s determination to support this monumental project and ensure its success.
He explained that the key areas of utilization of the grant include the development and management of channels that cater to diverse interests including educational and children’s programming, comedy, shopping, sports, gaming, betting, and local language channels that combine to ensure a rich and diverse content ecosystem that resonates with viewers.
Additionally, the grant will be used for acquisition and distributing of hybrid Android/DTH set-top boxes with data connectivity functionalities, positioning them as gateways to a rich and diverse content ecosystem.
According to him, the grant would also be used in leasing transponders and establishing a robust satellite backbone to ensure 100 percent signal coverage across Nigeria in order to expedite the Analog Switch Off and enhance accessibility to FreeTV services nationwide.
Mr. Ebuebu observed that this will help in the implementation of advanced audience measurement tools to provide broadcasters and the industry with detailed insights into viewership patterns, preferences, and demographics, ensure the establishment of world-class studios across geopolitical zones in partnership with the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), providing local content producers with an inclusive environment to thrive.
Ebuebu stated that the NBC will also use the grant to develop a user-friendly mobile application that allows viewers to watch FreeTV channels on handheld devices, access video-on-demand services, create awareness, and ensure a seamless transition through nationwide campaigns that educate the public about the benefits and implications of the Digital Switch Over.
The process of switching over from Analogue to the Digital Terrestrial Television platform began in 2016 with the Digital switch On of Jos, Plateau State. However, the process has stalled due to enormous challenges.
