In a bold move to redefine Nigeria’s digital future, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Nigerian Communications Satellite Ltd (NigComSat) have launched “The Big Picture”—a revolutionary upgrade to the country’s Digital Switchover (DSO) strategy.
Backed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, this new phase marks a historic shift from terrestrial transmission to a satellite-first model, using NigComSat-1R to deliver 100% nationwide coverage—reaching even the most remote communities.
Key Highlights
Satellite Over Terrestrial: Forget the delays of building ground towers. NigComSat-1R beams Direct-to-Home (DTH) signals across Nigeria instantly, cutting deployment timelines by over 65%.
Immediate Access: Over 10 million Nigerian households with satellite-ready TVs or DVB-S2 set-top boxes can access 100+ Free-to-Air channels today—no new hardware needed.
Hybrid Smart Boxes: New internet-enabled STBs combine satellite channels with streaming apps—designed with smart features like voice search, parental controls, and youth-friendly UI.
Content for All: 40% of all channel slots are reserved for independent and regional producers. Expect rich, diverse programming: education, culture, Nollywood, sports, and local storytelling.
Innovation + Impact
Audience Data Revolution: Partnering with global firm GARB, NBC will deploy real-time viewership analytics to help broadcasters, advertisers, and creators make informed decisions—projecting a 300% boost in ad revenue by 2026.
Mobile Streaming for All: With the Free TV App (Android & iOS), viewers can stream all 100+ channels on-the-go—even with low bandwidth. This is game-changing for Nigeria’s mobile-first, youth-driven audience.
Affordability First: Through a partnership with CREDICORP, 5 million homes can get hybrid boxes on near-zero interest payment plans, making digital access more inclusive than ever.
Empowering Nigeria’s Media Ecosystem
1,000+ Hours of Local Content/Month Produced in 6 new regional hubs, with support from NTA and private studios—creating thousands of jobs and spotlighting Nigerian culture.
20,000+ Jobs in Device Production Local STB manufacturing to power the “Buy-Nigeria” initiative.
24/7 Customer Support Multilingual call center + 15,000 trained technicians + 2,000 Digital Ambassadors educating communities nationwide.
In the Words of NBC DG Charles Ebuebu:
“We’re not just digitizing TV. We’re democratizing access, empowering stories, and redefining how Nigerians connect to information and entertainment.”
The Big Picture isn’t just a media upgrade—it’s a national transformation.
Stay tuned, stay connected.[Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]#DSOBigPicture #NBC #NigComSat #DigitalSwitchover #RenewedHope #FreeTVNigeria #MediaInnovation #SatelliteTV #DigitalNigeria #MadeInNigeria #ContentThatConnects.
