BREAKING: Nigeria to Launch FreeTV on June 17, Offering Over 100 Free Channels Nationwide

• Nigeria is set to launch FreeTV on June 17, 2026, a new digital television platform designed to provide households nationwide with free access to over 100 television channels without monthly subscription fees.

The Federal Government is set to launch FreeTV on June 17, 2026, a national digital television platform aimed at expanding access to television services across Nigeria without monthly subscription costs.

According to information contained in an official government release, the initiative forms part of Nigeria’s ongoing Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme designed to move the country completely from analogue to digital broadcasting.

The platform is expected to provide Nigerians with access to more than 100 national, regional and state television channels, covering news, sports, movies, music, educational programmes, children’s content and dedicated local language channels.

The service will be available through satellite transmission, terrestrial broadcasting and a mobile application, allowing users in urban and rural communities to access digital television services.

The government stated that Nigerians would not necessarily need to purchase new television sets to use the service. Existing televisions can work with compatible DVB-T2 or DVB-S2 decoders, while some households with free-to-air decoders may already be able to access the platform.

According to the statement, the initiative aligns with efforts to promote digital inclusion, create jobs and strengthen Nigeria’s creative economy.

Speaking ahead of the launch, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Charles Ebuebu, said the platform was designed to ensure that every Nigerian benefits from the digital economy regardless of location or income level.

“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.

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The government also disclosed that regional production studios in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano and Benin would support content creation and generate employment opportunities for producers, editors, camera operators, sound engineers and other creative professionals.

The final analogue switch-off remains scheduled for December 31, 2028, as authorities continue efforts to complete Nigeria’s transition to digital broadcasting.

Citizens have been encouraged to check their decoder compatibility and download the FreeTV mobile application ahead of the official rollout.

The launch of FreeTV is expected to widen access to information and entertainment while reducing the cost burden of television services for millions of households across the country.