FG launches Digital Switch-Over June 17 to unlock $1B, ₦605B media revenue
The Federal Government will launch Nigeria's Digital Switch-Over (DSO) program on June 17, 2026, projected to generate over $1 billion from 700/800MHz spectrum auction and unlock ₦605.2 billion in advertising market revenue. The initiative aims to transform broadcasting by providing nationwide coverage including remote areas, with FreeTV service requiring no monthly subscription—just a minimal dish and DVB-S2 decoder costing N15,000-N25,000. Viewers will access over 100 digital channels in high-quality format, including dedicated language channels (Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, Tiv, Fulfulde, Ijaw, Edo, Ibibio, Efik, Nupe, and more). The GARB system will provide verifiable audience data, allowing broadcasters to establish fair advertising rates based on actual viewership. Six regional studios will produce content in indigenous languages, creating new programming opportunities and broadening audience reach. The creative economy, which contributes approximately ₦5 trillion to GDP and employs 4.2 million Nigerians, stands to benefit from a modern distribution framework facilitating content export throughout West Africa. Every naira invested in local content is projected to yield a 2.5x economic multiplier effect, according to UNESCO/Deloitte benchmarks. With NBC and NigComSat partnership, the DSO represents a transformative shift in Nigeria's digital broadcasting landscape, enhancing both terrestrial and satellite broadcasting capabilities nationwide.