Nigeria will on June 17, 2026 launch FreeTV, a national digital television platform that will give households across the country access to free digital television, more channels, clearer pictures, and Nigerian content without monthly subscription fees.
The launch is another important step in the delivery of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, “which places priority on inclusion, access to opportunity, job creation, local enterprise, and the use of technology to improve everyday life for Nigerians.”
FreeTV is part of Nigeria’s Digital Switch-Over programme and is designed to “ensure that no Nigerian is left behind as the country moves fully from analogue to digital broadcasting.”
Through the platform, Nigerians will have access to over 100 national, regional and state channels, including news, sports, movies, music, children’s programmes, educational content, and dedicated Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo language channels.
How to Access FreeTV
The service will be available through satellite, terrestrial transmission and the FreeTV mobile app, giving citizens access whether they live in major cities, towns, rural communities or areas that were not covered under earlier DSO pilot phases.
Nigerians do not need to buy a new television to watch FreeTV. Existing televisions can work with compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders, and those who already have compatible free-to-air decoders may not need to buy a new one.
NBC DG: FreeTV Speaks to Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Vision
Speaking ahead of the launch, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Charles Ebuebu, 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.”
The platform will also support Nigeria’s creative and broadcast economy through regional production studios in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin, creating new opportunities for content producers, technicians, editors, camera operators, sound engineers and young creatives.
The final analogue switch-off remains scheduled for 31 December 2028, and Nigerians are encouraged to begin preparing by checking their decoder compatibility and downloading the FreeTV app.
For official information, citizens should visit www.freetv.ng, email dso@nbc.gov.ng, call 07003887277, or visit the nearest NBC zonal or state office.
This is sign of good things to come. Many West Coast countries have gone digital with free TV more than 10 years ago. We continue lagging behind in everything that will benefit the masses. We need to expand the view to more international channels and call the bluff of these digital Satellite tvs that has held us hostage for years