Federal Government Unveils FreeTV Platform Offering Nigerians Over 100 Free Digital Channels

Federal Government Unveils FreeTV Platform Offering Nigerians Over 100 Free Digital Channels

The Federal Government has announced the launch of FreeTV, a nationwide digital television platform that will give Nigerians free access to more than 100 television channels without any monthly subscription fees.

The initiative, set to officially launch on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, is part of Nigeria’s ongoing Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme and aligns with efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda to modernize the country’s broadcast sector and expand digital inclusion.

According to a statement shared via the Presidency’s official X account, FreeTV is designed to ensure that all Nigerians—regardless of income level or location—can enjoy the benefits of the country’s transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.

The platform will feature over 100 channels, including national, regional, and state stations, offering a wide range of content such as news, sports, movies, music, children’s programming, educational shows, and dedicated Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba language channels.

FreeTV will be accessible through satellite, terrestrial transmission, and a mobile application, allowing users in urban and rural areas to connect to digital television services. The government also clarified that households will not need to buy new television sets, as existing TVs can work with compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders.

The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, described the project as a major step toward digital inclusion and economic opportunity, noting that it will also create jobs in content production and broadcasting.

In addition, the government revealed plans to establish regional production studios across major cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, and Benin City to boost Nigeria’s creative industry.

The full analogue TV switch-off is still scheduled for December 31, 2028, with citizens encouraged to prepare early by checking device compatibility and downloading the FreeTV app.