Nigerian Government to Launch FreeTV, Offering Over 100 Channels Without Subscription Fees
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June 17, 2026
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*Nigerian Government to Launch FreeTV, a Subscription-Free Digital Television Platform
The Nigerian government has announced plans to officially launch FreeTV, a national digital television platform, on June 17, 2026, as part of efforts to expand access to information, entertainment, and educational content without requiring monthly subscription payments.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the initiative forms part of the country's ongoing Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme and is expected to provide Nigerians with access to more than 100 digital channels featuring news, sports, movies, music, children's programmes, educational content, and indigenous language broadcasts.
Government officials said the project is aimed at promoting inclusion, creating economic opportunities, supporting local industries, and leveraging technology to improve the lives of citizens. They added that FreeTV is designed to ensure that all Nigerians benefit from the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, regardless of their location or income level.
Under the arrangement, viewers will be able to access national, regional, and state television stations through satellite transmission, terrestrial broadcasting networks, and the FreeTV mobile application. The service is expected to reach residents of major cities, towns, rural communities, and areas previously left out during earlier phases of Nigeria's digital migration programme.
Existing television sets will continue to function with compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders, while households already using compatible free-to-air decoders may not require additional equipment.
Speaking ahead of the launch, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, described FreeTV as a transformative initiative that aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda on inclusive development and digital empowerment.
According to him, "FreeTV speaks directly to President Bola 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."
Beyond providing free television services, the initiative is also expected to stimulate Nigeria's creative and broadcasting sectors by generating employment opportunities across the media value chain.
The government further disclosed that regional production studios would be established in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, and Benin to strengthen content creation and enhance local programming. The facilities are expected to create jobs for producers, editors, camera operators, sound engineers, technicians, and other creative professionals.
Authorities have urged Nigerians to prepare for the transition by confirming the compatibility of their decoders and downloading the FreeTV mobile application.*
The Nigerian government has announced plans to officially launch FreeTV, a national digital television platform, on June 17, 2026, as part of efforts to expand access to information, entertainment, and educational content without requiring monthly subscription payments.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the initiative forms part of the country's ongoing Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme and is expected to provide Nigerians with access to more than 100 digital channels featuring news, sports, movies, music, children's programmes, educational content, and indigenous language broadcasts.
Government officials said the project is aimed at promoting inclusion, creating economic opportunities, supporting local industries, and leveraging technology to improve the lives of citizens. They added that FreeTV is designed to ensure that all Nigerians benefit from the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting, regardless of their location or income level.
Under the arrangement, viewers will be able to access national, regional, and state television stations through satellite transmission, terrestrial broadcasting networks, and the FreeTV mobile application. The service is expected to reach residents of major cities, towns, rural communities, and areas previously left out during earlier phases of Nigeria's digital migration programme.
Existing television sets will continue to function with compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders, while households already using compatible free-to-air decoders may not require additional equipment.
Speaking ahead of the launch, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, described FreeTV as a transformative initiative that aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda on inclusive development and digital empowerment.
According to him, "FreeTV speaks directly to President Bola 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."
Beyond providing free television services, the initiative is also expected to stimulate Nigeria's creative and broadcasting sectors by generating employment opportunities across the media value chain.
The government further disclosed that regional production studios would be established in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, and Benin to strengthen content creation and enhance local programming. The facilities are expected to create jobs for producers, editors, camera operators, sound engineers, technicians, and other creative professionals.
Authorities have urged Nigerians to prepare for the transition by confirming the compatibility of their decoders and downloading the FreeTV mobile application.*
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