The Federal Government has unveiled FreeTV, a new nationwide digital television service designed to provide Nigerians with access to more than 100 television channels at no monthly cost.
The initiative was officially introduced on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, as part of Nigeria’s ongoing Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme, a project aimed at completing the country’s migration from analogue broadcasting to digital television transmission.
Over 100 Channels for Viewers
According to a statement released by the Presidency on Wednesday, June 17, the FreeTV platform will offer a broad selection of content, including national, regional and state news channels, sports programming, movies, music, educational content, children’s entertainment, and indigenous language stations broadcasting in Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo.
The service will be accessible through satellite and terrestrial transmission, as well as the FreeTV mobile application, ensuring that viewers in both cities and remote communities can enjoy digital television services.
Government officials also clarified that households will not be required to purchase new television sets to access the platform.
Existing television sets can be connected through compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders, while homes that already own free-to-air decoders will be able to use the service immediately.
Commenting on the rollout of the platform, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, said the initiative aligns with the government’s objective of expanding digital access across the country while creating more opportunities within Nigeria’s creative and broadcasting sectors.
He noted that FreeTV is expected to provide families with access to television programming without recurring subscription charges, while also opening up additional broadcasting opportunities for content creators, technical professionals and emerging talents within the creative industry.
The development is also expected to strengthen Nigeria’s broadcasting and entertainment landscape through the establishment of regional production studios dedicated to the FreeTV platform in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin.
He 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.”
