FG Sets December 2028 as Final Deadline for Analogue TV Switch-Off, Unveils FreeTV Platform

The federal government has fixed December 2028 as the final deadline for Nigeria's full transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting. Charles Ebuebu, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), confirmed the timeline in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, noting that the shutdown would be rolled out in stages.

Ebuebu said: "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." The NBC DG also said the analogue spectrum to be freed up after the switch-off is valued at more than $50 billion.

FreeTV Platform Launched with Over 100 Channels

The government has launched a new free-to-air platform called FreeTV, giving Nigerians access to more than 100 television channels without monthly subscription payments. Viewers can receive signals through compatible digital decoders, satellite and terrestrial connections, or mobile devices, covering content across news, education, entertainment, sports, and children's programming.

The government described FreeTV as a component of Nigeria's broader Digital Switch Over (DSO) programme. It said the platform is expected to stimulate local content production, generate employment, and reinforce the country's creative sector. Upcoming phases will expand the programme to include paid television tiers, studio facilities, and designated production centres for content creators.

Economic Case and Spectrum Value

Ebuebu said the radio frequency spectrum currently occupied by analogue broadcasters represents a significant national resource. He explained: "I won't put a sum to it, but it is valued upwards of about $50 billion. Consultants will determine its actual value before allocation."

He added that the freed spectrum would be made available to telecommunications companies, fintech firms, and application developers. The NBC is also working on a policy framework to deal with broadcasting equipment that becomes redundant after the transition. Ebuebu said the policy would align with international best practices, with reusable equipment potentially repurposed and assets that cannot be salvaged transferred to the government for disposal, reducing the risk of industrial waste.

Audience Measurement and Next Steps

Ebuebu also said the commission's audience measurement work is moving forward, with a proof-of-concept exercise already completed in roughly 7,000 homes in Lagos and implementation now under way in Abuja. Under the Digital Switch Over White Paper, broadcasters are required to separate content production from transmission, with distribution handled by licensed signal carriers such as NIGCOMSAT.

The NBC said it would engage industry bodies, including the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, before advancing subsequent stages of the programme.

For Nigerian consumers and businesses, the shift to digital broadcasting and the launch of FreeTV means more free content options and a potential boost for local content creators, while the sale of freed-up spectrum could generate billions for the economy and improve telecoms infrastructure.