The Federal Government will launch FreeTV, a national digital TV platform, offering Nigerians free access to over 100 channels without subscription under the Digital Switch-Over programme
Nigeria Unveils FreeTV Platform Offering 100+ Free Channels Without Subscription Fees
The Federal Government is set to launch FreeTV, a national digital television platform designed to expand access to digital broadcasting across Nigeria, with rollout scheduled for June 17.
According to a statement, the platform will give Nigerians free access to more than 100 national, regional and state television channels without any monthly subscription fees, marking a major step in the country’s ongoing Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme.
The initiative, the government said, aligns with “President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises digital inclusion, job creation and access to opportunities”.
FreeTV will offer a wide range of content, including news, sports, films, music, children’s programming, educational shows, and dedicated Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo language channels aimed at promoting cultural diversity and local content consumption.
The service will be available through satellite and terrestrial transmission as well as a dedicated FreeTV mobile application, ensuring access for both urban and rural viewers across the country.
The government clarified that Nigerians will not need to purchase new television sets to access the platform, provided they already own compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders. Households using existing free-to-air compatible devices may not require any additional equipment.
Speaking ahead of the launch, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, said FreeTV is designed to widen access to digital content while also stimulating growth in Nigeria’s creative sector.
“FreeTV speaks directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of Renewed Hope towards expanding access, creating opportunity and ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location or income, can benefit from the digital economy,” Ebuebu said.
“With FreeTV, families across Nigeria can enjoy quality digital television without a monthly subscription, while our local content producers, technicians and young creatives gain new platforms and new jobs.”
The NBC further disclosed that the platform will support the creative industry through regional production hubs in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin, expected to generate employment opportunities across broadcasting and production value chains, including editing, camera work, sound engineering and technical services.
The commission also reaffirmed that Nigeria’s final analogue switch-off remains scheduled for December 31, 2028, while urging citizens to confirm decoder compatibility and download the FreeTV mobile application ahead of the nationwide rollout.
With its launch, FreeTV is expected to reshape Nigeria’s television landscape by making digital content more accessible, affordable and locally driven.
