President Muhammadu Buhari will today launch the roll out of the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting.
The Abuja switch on, the Director General of the Nigeria Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Mr. Ishaq Modibbo Kawu said, is not a pilot, but the commencement of the national roll-out.
The country had a test run in Jos, Plateau State on April 30 with 15 free to air channels in preparatory to the national roll out ahead of the June 20, 2017 deadline.
Speaking at a news conference in Abuja yesterday, Kawu said the commission is committed to increase the status of ordinary viewers in the country.
Kawu noted that the FCT roll out will be offering 30 television channels, which will cover entertainment, sports, News, movies etc.
In readiness for the roll out, he said about 200,000 Set Top Boxes have been effectively distributed at the various distribution centres across Abuja, with an additional 450,000 waiting to be distributed from the date of switch on.
He also revealed that 28 out of the 30 channels planned for FCT are running on two multiplexes of signal distributor.
He said: “Ladies and Gentlemen, permit me then to say that we have practically commenced the switch on of Abuja as our test signals are already up and running and all the channels fully on air with clear signals and quality sound.
“Let me add that the Abuja switch on is not a pilot, but the commencement of the national roll-out. We are at the point of embarkation, towards the switch off of Analogue signals in Nigeria.
“The journey to this date has been a long but rewarding one. As you are aware, we launched the pilot phase of the DSO in Jos on the 30th of April 2016. In Jos we launched with 15 channels and the Signal Distributor Company ITS (Integrated Television Services) took up the challenge of Signal Distribution.
“Since then the people of Jos have continued to enjoy Digital TV Services, a service for which I am sure they are grateful to the Federal Government.
“It is our belief that the transition has brought about renewed entertainment, education and potential economic opportunities for the people of the Plateau, and indeed Nigeria.