The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce FreeTV, a national digital broadcasting platform that will provide Nigerians access to over 100 television channels without any monthly subscription fees.
The initiative, which is scheduled to officially launch on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, is part of the country’s ongoing Digital Switch-Over programme and aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at expanding digital access and inclusion.
In a statement shared via the Presidency’s verified social media handle, the government said FreeTV was designed to ensure that all Nigerians, regardless of income level or location, can benefit from the transition from analogue to digital television broadcasting.
According to the statement, the platform will offer a wide range of content including news, sports, movies, music, children’s programmes, educational shows, and dedicated language channels in Yoruba, Hausa, and Igbo.
The service is expected to be accessible through satellite, terrestrial transmission, and a dedicated FreeTV mobile application, ensuring coverage across urban centres, rural communities, and underserved areas that were previously excluded from earlier phases of the digital migration.
The government also clarified that Nigerians will not need to purchase new television sets to access the service, as existing TVs can be used with compatible decoders. Households that already have free-to-air decoders may not require additional equipment.
Speaking ahead of the launch, the Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission, Charles Ebuebu, described the project as a major milestone in Nigeria’s digital transformation, noting that it reflects government efforts to expand access to information and opportunity.
He added that FreeTV would help stimulate the creative industry by creating opportunities for local content producers, technicians, and media professionals, while also encouraging the establishment of regional production hubs in cities such as Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Enugu, Kano, and Benin City.
The Federal Government further stated that the full analogue television switch-off remains scheduled for December 31, 2028, urging Nigerians to begin preparing by checking decoder compatibility and downloading the FreeTV mobile application ahead of rollout.