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NBC, NIGCOMSAT Launch Satellite-Powered ‘Big Picture’ Vision to Drive Nigeria’s Digital Switchover

May 30, 2025
4 min read
Author: Kay-Lyne Wolfenden

This visionary strategy harnesses Nigeria’s sovereign satellite technology to complement the existing terrestrial infrastructure, promising universal access, unprecedented affordability, and a renaissance for Nigerian storytelling.

In a historic leap for Nigeria’s media landscape, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC)  and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT)  have jointly unveiled “The Big Picture” – a sweeping reinvention of the nation’s Digital Switchover (DSO) project. Endorsed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and anchored to his Renewed Hope Agenda, this visionary strategy harnesses Nigeria’s sovereign satellite technology to complement the existing terrestrial infrastructure, promising universal access, unprecedented affordability, and a renaissance for Nigerian storytelling. This reimagined DSO initiative will also leverage real-time audience analytics to expand access, enhance affordability and ignite a digital broadcasting revolution across Nigeria.

At the heart of this transformation is NIGCOMSAT-1R, Nigeria’s communications satellite, which will beam Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasts across 100% of Nigeria’s landmass. By pivoting to this satellite-first approach, the initiative eliminates the need for hundreds of ground transmission towers while accelerating nationwide rollout by over 65%.

“the “Big Picture” DSO strategy introduces a different approach from the existing costly terrestrial infrastructure model, by adopting a Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite approach anchored on NIGCOMSAT’s NigComSat-1R satellite, thereby enabling the effective use of Nigeria’s satellite communications assets.”

Barr. Charles Ebuebu, Director-General, National Broadcasting Organisation, and Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen,  the Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT Limited

For the first time, end users will receive crystal-clear digital broadcasts through affordable satellite dishes, next-generation hybrid devices and end user devices. Crucially, 10 million Nigerian households already equipped with DVB-S2-compatible TVs or set-top boxes can immediately access free-to-air channels – accelerating adoption nationwide. For others, the DSO will feature next-generation hybrid/Internet enabled set-top boxes (STBs) that merge satellite broadcasts (via NigComSat-1R) with internet streaming. These branded devices feature pre-installed apps, voice search, and parental controls – specifically designed for Nigeria’s youth-dominated population (60% under 25). The STBs seamlessly integrate with NigComSat’s Electronic Program Guide (EPG) for intuitive navigation.

To further accelerate broadcaster migration, the Federal Government has waived satellite carriage fees for 18 months – a critical support measure during the transition. This supports the onboarding of 100 DSO channels nationwide: over 100 FTA channels featuring dedicated educational, cultural, and Nollywood content. The content will reflect Nigeria’s diversity, with dedicated channels for education, culture, sports, and Nollywood films. Importantly, 40% of the slots are reserved for independent producers and community voices.

“Partnering with global analytics firm GARB, the NBC will deploy a real-time audience measurement system to capture viewership trends and behaviour across devices and regions,”

Barr. Charles Ebuebu, Director-General, National Broadcasting Organisation, and Mrs. Jane Nkechi Egerton-Idehen, the Managing Director, NIGCOMSAT Limited 

As a capability that further enriches the advertising value of broadcast content, this system will unlock programmatic and performance ad revenue, with projections indicating a 300% growth in advertising income by 2026.

Following President Tinubu’s directive to enhance affordability, NBC will partner with the Nigerian Consumer Credit Corporation (CREDICORP) to provide near zero-interest financing for 5 million DTH/Internet enabled reception devices, with repayments tailored to low-income earners. A complementary DSO Mobile App will stream all 100+ channels to internet enabled devices, with adaptive bitrate technology ensuring smooth playback even on low-bandwidth networks. This feature is particularly transformative for Nigeria’s youth population, 70% of whom primarily consume content on smartphones.

Additionally, with support from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and some private studios to serve as regional production hubs, the production of over 1,000 hours of original content monthly in studios located within six geopolitical regions in Nigeria will be enabled, with direct investment in infrastructure and best in class. Independent producers will develop original series, with priority given to educational, cultural and youth-themed programming innovation. Additionally, a 24/7 multilingual call centre, staffed by agents fluent in Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and Pidgin English, as well as 15,000 trained technicians will provide nationwide customer support, complemented by the rollout of ‘Digital Ambassadors’ for grassroots awareness campaigns.

The success of the DSO “Big Picture” Vision hinges on robust collaboration across sectors. The Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON) and other stakeholders will be engaged to mobilize members to populate 60% of the 120-channel lineup with existing and repurposed content. Local manufacturers will be engaged to commit to producing 5 million hybrid-compliant reception devices annually, creating over 20,000 jobs in assembly plants nationwide. This will assist job creation in the media sector and further promote Mr. President’s “By-Nigeria” initiative aimed at promoting local production, economic growth, and national identity.

The DSO “Big Picture” strategy represents a paradigm shift in Nigeria’s media landscape. With NIGCOMSAT’s satellite backbone and NBC’s regulatory leadership, Nigeria is not just digitizing television, it is democratizing information, empowering cultural narratives and redefining national connectivity in the 21st century.

“We are bridging the digital divide, one household at a time and embracing how Nigerians actually consume media today. The future of broadcasting lies across the boundaries between traditional TV and streaming – our devices contain both.”

-Barr. Charles Ebuebu, Director-General, NBC. 

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