The Federal Government has officially launched FreeTV, a national digital television platform granting all Nigerian households access to over 100 channels without any monthly subscription fees, marking a historic milestone in the country’s migration from analogue to digital broadcasting.
The Presidency disclosed the launch on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, ahead of the official commissioning scheduled for June 17. The platform delivers clearer picture quality, expanded local content, and free digital television as Nigeria accelerates its Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme.
Key features of FreeTV
| Attribute | Details |
| Total Channels | Over 100 national, regional, and state channels |
| Subscription Fee | None — completely free-to-air, no encryption |
| Content Categories | News, sports, movies, music, children’s programming, educational content |
| Indigenous Languages | Dedicated Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo channels |
| Live Channels So Far | At least 57 already live, more joining |
| Delivery Method | Hybrid: NigSat satellite + terrestrial + FreeTV mobile app |
Government’s vision
Charles Ebuebu, Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), linked the initiative to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda:
“FreeTV speaks directly to President 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 emphasized that the platform removes subscription barriers while creating new jobs for local content producers, technicians, and young creatives.
How Nigerians can access FreeTV
- Mobile App: Download the FreeTV app from the Google Play Store
- Satellite: Access via NigComSat-1R satellite service
- Decoder Requirement: Existing TVs work with compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders; households with free-to-air decoders may not need new equipment
- Official Info: Visit www.freetv.ng or call +2347003887277
The hybrid delivery model ensures coverage across urban centres, small towns, and rural communities previously outside earlier DSO pilot zones.
Economic impact on the creative industry
Beyond viewer access, FreeTV is expected to stimulate Nigeria’s broadcast sector through regional production hubs planned for Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, and Benin. These facilities will create opportunities for content creators, editors, camera operators, sound engineers, and other media professionals.
The NBC disclosed that the DSO programme will unlock Nigeria’s ₦605.2 billion advertising market, generating new revenue across the media and entertainment value chain.
Timeline for analogue transition
Nigeria’s full transition away from analogue television remains targeted for completion by the end of 2028. Households should begin confirming decoder compatibility and adopting digital broadcasting services.
The initiative has faced years of delays — the Federal Government commenced the White Paper on DSO in August 2022, and outstanding debts to DSO service providers were cleared in 2023 to enable renewed progress.
This launch ends years of phased trials and positions Nigeria as the latest African nation to complete its analogue-to-digital broadcasting migration.
For further verification: Contact NBC at +2347003887277 or visit www.freetv.ng
