The Digital Switchover in Nigeria, known as Free TV launched in the city of Jos with Inview Technology Ltd. as technical and operational advisors to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC). The Minister of Information and Culture of Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the switch from analogue to DTT broadcasting is a monumental event, which […]
The Digital Switchover in Nigeria, known as Free TV launched in the city of Jos with Inview Technology Ltd. as technical and operational advisors to the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC).
The Minister of Information and Culture of Nigeria, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said that the switch from analogue to DTT broadcasting is a monumental event, which will revolutionise the broadcast landscape and architecture, as well as the local, state and national economy.
The Federal Government will distribute the 200,000 set-top boxes (STBs) for the pilot phase free of charge, while the Plateau State Government has agreed to buy 300,000 boxes for its citizens.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed commented: This is a monumental event, because with the switch over, we are revolutionising the broadcast landscape and architecture, as well as the local, state and national economy. More importantly, we are democratising the right to know, the right to knowledge and the right to be informed. This is simply because with what we are doing today, the average Jos person does not need to pay subscription to watch the best news and entertainment from around the world. And this with high quality sound and high resolution picture, which are equal if not superior to any in the world.
Inviews software, integrated on all of the set-top boxes for Nigeria, will provide the viewer with an EPG and information services in addition to 15 channels in digital quality picture and sound. These services will broadcast news articles to a new mass market audience from two Nigerian broadcasters, TVC News and Channels TV, along with articles from the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Plateau State government and the NBC. There will also be a suite of Free TV banner advertisements and full screen messages.
Nick Markham, Chairman of Inview commented: We are very proud to announce that we have officially launched in Nigeria. This is a very important and historic moment for Nigeria and Inview. We look forward to continuing to assist the NBC with digital switchover throughout the country.