As a way of reinventing the Digital Switch Over (DSO) project, the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT) have jointly launched a groundbreaking strategy tagged, The Big Picture.
NBC Director General, Charles Ebuebu, disclosed the next-gen DSO vision harnesses the power of Nigeria’s own satellite — NIGCOMSAT-1R — to usher in a new era of digital broadcasting that assures of nationwide access, affordability, and a dramatic rise in local content.
Unlike the previous DSO model, this satellite-first approach is set to accelerate the nation’s digital transformation.
Following President Tinubu’s directive to enhance affordability, he disclosed NBC is partnering 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.
With support from the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and some private studios to serve as regional production hubs, Ebuebu added 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.
He noted independent producers will develop original series, with priority given to educational, cultural and youth-themed programming innovation.
Additionally, Ebuebu said 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.
Speaking further, he said, “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.”
Saying the DSO ‘Big Picture’ strategy represents a paradigm shift in the nation’s media landscape, he assured with NIGCOMSAT’s satellite backbone and NBC’s regulatory leadership, Nigeria is not just digitising television, it is democratising information, empowering cultural narratives and redefining national connectivity in the 21st century.
In conclusion, Ebuebu said, “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.”
