Federal government has announced the launch of Free TV, a national digital television platform set to go live on June 17, 2026, to provide Nigerian households with free access to digital broadcasting without monthly subscription fees.
The initiative, which forms part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is designed to expand access to information, promote inclusion, create jobs, and strengthen Nigeria’s digital economy.
It also aligns with efforts to modernise the country’s broadcasting sector through the Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme.
Under the scheme, Nigerians will have access to over 100 national, regional and state channels covering news, sports, entertainment, education, music, children’s programming, and indigenous language content in Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo.
The service will be delivered through satellite, terrestrial transmission, and the FreeTV app, allowing access in urban centres, rural communities, and previously underserved areas.
Officials said viewers will not need to purchase new television sets. Existing TVs can work with compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders, while users with already compatible free-to-air decoders may not require additional equipment.
Speaking ahead of the launch, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, said the platform reflects the government’s drive to widen access to digital services.
“Free TV 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,” he said.
“With FreeTV, families across Nigeria can enjoy quality digital television without a monthly subscription, while our local content producers and creatives gain new platforms and jobs.”
The platform is also expected to stimulate growth in Nigeria’s creative and broadcast industries through regional production hubs in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin, creating opportunities for producers, editors, technicians, and other media professionals.
The federal government reiterated that the final analogue switch-off remains scheduled for December 31, 2028, urging Nigerians to begin early preparation by checking decoder compatibility and downloading the Free TV app.