The Federal Government is vigorously implementing a comprehensive nationwide process of transitioning from analogue to digital television broadcasting, which is referred to as the Digital Switchover (DSO) project.
The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed stated this at the launch of the Digital Switch Over (DSO) in Kano on Tuesday.
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According to him, the Federal Government is prioritizing the DSO project because it is critical to the post-Covid recovery and prosperity of the Creative Industry.
The Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, was working with its relevant agencies like NBC and APCON, had commenced the process of implementing Audience Measurement, which will go a long way in driving advertising spend to the DSO platform, thus helping the channels to fulfill their obligations to the Signal Distributors.
“We have also instituted a number of reforms, some of them necessitating amendments to the Broadcasting Code which we have since carried out, with a view to encouraging investments in the Broadcast Industry in particular and the Creative Industry in general,” he said.
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He said that the decision to transition from analogue to digital television followed a treaty that was signed at the Regional
Radiocommunication Conference (RRC-06) in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 16, 2016 to usher in ‘all-digital’ terrestrial broadcast services for sound and television.
“This is aimed at creating a more equitable, just and people-centered Information Society, which would connect underserved populations and remote communities, thereby bridging the
digital divide.
“The key benefits of digital television broadcasting include Wider choice in TV and radio channels; Improved picture, e.g. HD, UHD and High-Fidelity sound, Greater flexibility with the potential for portable and mobile reception.
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Others he said include Enhanced information services including the Electronic Programming
Guide or enhanced ‘teletext’ services (with enhanced graphics); Potential for interactivity; and Increased market competition and innovation.
Earlier in his remark, the Kano State governor, Abdullahi Ganduje said no fewer than 100,000 units of recorders would be procured out of which 10,000 units would be distributed to MDAs, LGCs and primary Healthcare centres across the 44 LGAs.
