The Federal Government has said the renewed Digital Switch Over project is designed to deliver up to 100 free-to-air television channels to at least 40 million households across Nigeria through a satellite-based broadcasting system.

The Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission Charles Ebuebu, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Wednesday.

Ebuebu explained that the revised DSO strategy marks a shift from the previous terrestrial transmission model, which he said failed to achieve extensive nationwide coverage.

According to him, the adoption of satellite technology will ensure wider access to television services across the country from the outset.

“We are targeting a minimum of 40 million television households across Nigeria. That is the goal of the renewed Digital Switch Over project,” Ebuebu said.

He noted that the previous DSO initiative, launched in eight states, carried between 24 and 28 channels depending on the location. However, the terrestrial network covered less than one-quarter of the country, exposing significant infrastructure limitations.

Ebuebu explained that expanding terrestrial coverage nationwide would have required the construction of about 160 transmission towers, the importation of costly equipment and several years to complete.

“We therefore decided to adopt satellite technology because it provides nationwide coverage from day one,” he said.

The NBC boss revealed that the new platform currently transmits more than 73 channels nationwide and is expected to expand to 100 free-to-air channels in the coming months.

He clarified that while the NBC remains the country’s broadcast regulator, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited is responsible for providing the satellite and ground infrastructure for the project.

“NBC is the regulator of broadcasting in Nigeria, while NIGCOMSAT provides the satellite capacity and ground services for the Digital Switch Over. Their satellite covers not only Nigeria but the entire sub-Saharan Africa,” Ebuebu stated.

He added that the satellite platform would enable viewers to access television stations from different parts of the country regardless of where they live, unlike terrestrial broadcasting, which depends on transmission towers.

Ebuebu described the renewed DSO project as a significant improvement over the previous model, saying it offers better picture quality, more television channels and broader access to Nigerian content.

He also expressed optimism that the initiative would promote national integration by allowing audiences across the country to watch regional television stations previously limited by geographical coverage.