Nigeria Launches FreeTV to Expand Free Digital Television Access Nationwide

Abuja, Nigeria | June 16, 2026

Kingsley Ohens reporting

The Federal Government of Nigeria is set to officially launch FreeTV on June 17, 2026, a landmark digital broadcasting platform designed to provide millions of Nigerians with free access to high-quality digital television without recurring subscription fees.

The initiative forms a key component of Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) programme and aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which seeks to expand digital inclusion, promote economic opportunities, strengthen local industries, and leverage technology to improve the quality of life for citizens.

According to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), the FreeTV platform will significantly broaden access to digital broadcasting by offering more than 100 national, regional, and state television channels. Viewers will enjoy a diverse range of programming, including news, sports, entertainment, movies, music, children’s programming, educational content, and dedicated indigenous language channels in Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo.

To ensure nationwide accessibility, the service will be delivered through multiple distribution platforms, including satellite transmission, terrestrial digital broadcasting, and the FreeTV mobile application. This multi-platform approach is expected to benefit households in urban centres, rural communities, and locations previously underserved during earlier phases of the Digital Switch Over programme.

The NBC emphasized that Nigerians will not necessarily need to purchase new television sets to access the service. Existing televisions can continue to be used with compatible DVB-T2 television sets or DVB-T2 digital decoders, while households already equipped with compatible free-to-air decoders may not require any additional hardware.

Speaking ahead of the official launch, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, described FreeTV as a transformative initiative that reflects the Federal Government’s commitment to expanding digital access and creating economic opportunities.

“FreeTV speaks directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of the Renewed Hope Agenda by expanding access, creating opportunity, and ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of location or income, can benefit from the digital economy. 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,” he said.

Beyond improving public access to television services, the platform is also expected to stimulate growth within Nigeria’s creative and broadcasting industries. Regional production hubs are planned for Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, and Benin, creating employment opportunities for producers, editors, camera operators, sound engineers, broadcasters, and other creative professionals.

Industry stakeholders have described the initiative as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s ongoing digital broadcasting transition, with expectations that it will enhance information dissemination, strengthen cultural representation, encourage indigenous content production, and expand the country’s digital economy.

The National Broadcasting Commission has advised Nigerians to verify the compatibility of their television sets and digital decoders ahead of the rollout to ensure uninterrupted access to the new service.

For further enquiries and official information about the FreeTV platform and the Digital Switch Over programme, members of the public are encouraged to contact the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) through its dedicated support line on 0700 388 7277 or visit the nearest NBC zonal or state office for assistance.