NBC's digital switch-over to unlock Nigeria's N605b advertising market for broadcasters and creators

Nationwide DSO launch set for June 17, 2026, as analogue broadcasting ends December 31, 2028, with FreeTV requiring no monthly subscription.

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) says its planned Digital Switch-Over (DSO) project will create access to Nigeria’s N605.2 billion advertising market for broadcasters and content creators.

RELATED: Nigeria’s digital switchover: A new era for broadcasting

Speaking at a press conference, NBC Director-General Charles Ebuebu announced that the project is set for a nationwide official launch on June 17, 2026. He also confirmed that analogue television broadcasting will be fully phased out by December 31, 2028.

Why Digital Broadcasting Matters

According to Ebuebu, the switch from analogue to digital broadcasting will help government agencies deliver better television services across Nigeria in a way that is sustainable, reliable, and easier to regulate.

He explained that digital broadcasting will allow broadcasters and content creators to earn more revenue because audience data can be measured more accurately.

Spectrum Auction to Generate Over $1 Billion

By releasing valuable 700/800 MHz spectrum, the DSO project could deliver additional economic benefits. Future auctions of this spectrum may generate more than $1 billion in revenue.

The funds are expected to support digital infrastructure and expand broadband access in rural communities.

Boosting Nigeria’s Creative Industry

NBC added that Nigeria’s creative industry—which contributes approximately N5 trillion to GDP and supports more than 4.2 million jobs—could benefit from improved content distribution and export opportunities across West Africa using NigComSat-1R.

FreeTV: No Monthly Subscription Required

For consumers, NBC said the FreeTV service will not require monthly subscription payments. Households will only need a small satellite dish and an open-standard DVB-S2 decoder, estimated to cost between N15,000 and N25,000.

Broadcasters were encouraged to join the FreeTV platform and take advantage of an 18-month free carriage period.

Legal Dispute Will Not Stop Rollout

The Commission noted that there is still an ongoing legal dispute involving local manufacturers over set-top boxes, although officials said this will not stop the national rollout.

Satellite Expansion Plans

On satellite expansion plans, the Managing Director and CEO of Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited, Jane Egerton-Idehen, said NIGCOMSAT 2A is expected in 2028, while NIGCOMSAT 2B is planned for 2029.

She added that backup arrangements are already in place to guarantee uninterrupted service. The migration to the new system will be carried out gradually. This phased approach across different regions is designed to prevent nationwide disruptions.