NBC sets June 17 launch for Nigeria’s hybrid DSO plan
The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) of Nigeria has defended its new "Big Picture" hybrid strategy for the country's Digital Switch-Over (DSO), scheduling a national launch for June 17, 2026, and a final analogue switch-off for December 31, 2028. The strategy will integrate Direct-to-Home (DTH), Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), and Internet Protocol (IP)-based broadcasting, including satellite services via NigComSat, to achieve nationwide digital coverage. This initiative aims to unlock Nigeria's advertising market through improved audience measurement and free up valuable spectrum for over $1 billion in auction proceeds.
Key Takeaways
- National DSO launch is scheduled for June 17, 2026, with analogue switch-off fixed for December 31, 2028.
- The new framework combines Direct-to-Home (DTH), Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and Internet Protocol (IP)-based broadcasting.
- NBC says FreeTV will not require monthly subscription fees for basic access, and DVB-S2 decoders are priced at ₦15,000 to ₦25,000 in Nigerian markets.
- The commission plans a national audience measurement system through GARB to improve ratings data for broadcasters and advertisers.
- NBC estimates the transition could help tap Nigeria’s ₦605.2 billion advertising market and generate over $1 billion from 700/800 MHz spectrum auctions.
Why It Matters
The immediate impact is a clearer timetable for Nigeria’s long-delayed DSO, including a June 17, 2026 launch and a December 31, 2028 analogue cutoff. NBC’s hybrid plan matters because it ties broadcast distribution to DTH, DTT, IP and NigComSat coverage, while also linking the transition to audience measurement and spectrum reallocation. The next concrete signal to watch is the National DSO Stakeholder Meeting NBC says it will convene within 30 days of the June 17 launch.
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