Nigeria will launch FreeTV, a national digital television platform, on June 17, 2026. This initiative is said to provide Nigerian households with access to “free digital television”, “more channels”, “clearer pictures”, and “locally produced content without subscription fees”. The release says it aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to make technology available to all.
What is FreeTV?
FreeTV is an initiative within Nigeria’s Digital Switch-Over programme aimed at providing access to digital broadcasting for all Nigerians as the country fully transitions from analogue to digital broadcasting.
It offers over 100 channels encompassing news, sports, movies, music, children’s programmes, educational content, and channels in Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo languages. 
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How to Watch?
The service will be accessible via satellite, terrestrial transmission, and the FreeTV mobile app, ensuring coverage for all Nigerians whether they live in rural or urban areas.
There is no need to purchase a new television; existing TVs are compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders, and those compatible free-to-air decoders will work.
The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr Charles Ebuebu, said, ‘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.’ 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.”
It is believed that the platform will boost Nigeria’s creative and broadcast economy with production studios in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin while providing job opportunities for content producers, technicians, editors, camera operators, sound engineers and young creatives.
The final analogue switch-off is set for 31 December 2028, and Nigerians should verify decoder compatibility and download the FreeTV app in preparation.
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