FG Rolls Out Free Digital TV Channels Nationwide

The Federal Government has unveiled FreeTV, a new digital television platform that will provide Nigerians with access to more than 100 television channels without monthly subscription fees.

Launched on June 17 as part of the country’s Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme, the platform is designed to expand access to quality broadcasting services and accelerate digital inclusion across the nation.

FreeTV will offer a broad range of content, including news, sports, movies, music, educational programmes, children’s shows and indigenous language channels. The service will be available through satellite and terrestrial transmission as well as a dedicated mobile application, enabling users to watch content on their mobile phones.

According to the government, Nigerians will not need to purchase new television sets to access the service. Existing TVs can be used with compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders, while many households with free-to-air decoders may already be equipped to receive the channels.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) said the initiative is aimed at ensuring that citizens, including those in rural and underserved communities, benefit from technological advancements regardless of their location or income level.

The platform is also expected to stimulate local content production and create jobs within the creative and broadcasting industries. Regional production centres in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin will serve as hubs for content creation and media-related employment.

The launch marks another major step in Nigeria’s transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, with the final analogue switch-off scheduled for December 31, 2028.

Authorities have urged Nigerians to check the compatibility of their decoders and take advantage of the new platform as the country advances towards a fully digital broadcasting ecosystem.