The Federal Government will on June 17, 2026, launch FreeTV, a national digital television platform designed to give households across Nigeria access to free digital television without subscription fees.
The platform is part of Nigeria’s Digital Switch-Over programme and is aimed at expanding access to broadcasting as the country transitions from analogue to digital television.
According to a statement issued by the Presidency on Wednesday, FreeTV will provide access to over 100 national, regional, and state channels. These include news, sports, movies, music, children’s programming, educational content, and local language channels in Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo.
The service will be available via satellite, terrestrial transmission, and a mobile application, ensuring nationwide coverage across urban, rural, and underserved communities.
The Presidency described the initiative as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which prioritises inclusion, expanded access to opportunities, job creation, local enterprise, and the use of technology to improve everyday life for Nigerians.
It added that FreeTV is designed to ensure no Nigerian is left behind as the country fully transitions from analogue to digital broadcasting.
According to the government, Nigerians will not need to purchase new television sets to access FreeTV. Existing televisions will work with compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders, while those who already have compatible free-to-air decoders may not require additional equipment.
Speaking ahead of the launch, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Mr. Charles Ebuebu, said the initiative reflects government efforts to expand access to information, create opportunities, and strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy.
He added that the platform will also boost the creative and broadcast industries by creating opportunities for content producers, technicians, and other media professionals.
“FreeTV speaks directly to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of Renewed Hope, 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 local content producers, technicians and young creatives gain new platforms and new jobs,” he said.
The final analogue switch-off remains scheduled for December 31, 2028. Nigerians are encouraged to begin preparing by checking decoder compatibility and downloading the FreeTV mobile application.
For official information, citizens are advised to visit www.freetv.ng, email [email protected], call 07003887277, or visit NBC offices nationwide.