THE CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF THE NIGERIAN BROADCAST

MEDIA ON JULY 2017 SWITCH OVER FROM ANALOGUE TO DIGITAL

BROADCASTING

BY

Wilson Chidiebere Peter

pstwcpetwers@gmail.com

+2347030181006

ABSTRACT

This study examined the challenges and prospects of the Nigerian broadcast media
switch over from analogue to digital broadcasting. The research methodology adopted
is the survey research method. Questionnaire was constructed and administered to the
representative sample of the study. The study found that digitization is very important
to the growth of the Nigerian media, and that it has improved media professionalism. It
was recommended that government and stakeholders in the media sectors should
embrace information and communication technology and use if for the development of
the Nigerian media, and media organizations in Nigeria should be equipped with state-
of-the-art facilities to meet up with the challenges of global news gathering and
dissemination.
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INTRODUCTION

The activities of the media are of no doubt delicate and consequently need some
reasonable developmental trends into the system. This trend has to do with digitization,
which basically is driven by the use of Information and Communication Technologies
(ICTs). The relevance of ICTs and digital broadcasting in Nigeria is a trend with a very
auspicious tendency. Therefore, it should be taken seriously if any meaningful and
significant development will be achieved in the mass media and the broadcast media
especially.
Information and Communication Technologies have been described to
encompass all those technologies that enable the handling of information and facilitate
different forms of information among human actors; between human beings and
electronic systems, and among electronic systems (Okorie 2008). ICTs are
technological equipment and methods used in handling information. They cover both
old and new technologies such as typewriters, handsets, computers, and other
telecommunication and electronic facilities. These various Information and
Communication Technologies have gone a long way to improve on the operations and
programmes, as well as the activities of the media.
The issue of digitization of the broadcast media came into limelight on June 16,
2006 when a resolution on digitization for broadcasters was reached for countries of
Europe, Africa, Middle East as well as the Islamic Republic of Iran. This resolution was
reached in Geneva, Switzerland at an international conference organized by the
International Telecommunication Union (ITU) (Cortada, 2006). A deadline of 2015 was
agreed upon for the effective take-off of digitization of the broadcast media (Idoko,
2010).
As part of the resolution, the ITU digitization deadline was limited to digitization
of television broadcasting alone, while a deadline for radio was not spelt out or set.
Furthermore, the ITU agreement allows for an additional five years to 2020 for many
African countries of which Nigeria is inclusive. At the end of this resolution,
representatives of 120 countries including Nigeria sat, agreed, adopted and signed the
digitization treaty therefore making it binding on these countries (Bunshak, 2006).
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Within 10-year window, each country was allowed to choose its own switch off
date. Several countries chose one single date for all broadcast operations to switch over
to digital broadcasting while others such as the United Kingdom and India chose
different dates for different cities and regions within their territories (Dokpesi, 2009).
Buoyed by optimism, stakeholders in the Nigerian broadcast industry adopted June 17,
2012 as the nation’s switchover date. This date was approved by the Late President
Umaru Yar’adua. By this approval, June 17th, 2012 became the deadline for the official
switch over to digital broadcasting. The Netherlands became the first country to transit
to digital broadcasting, barely a year after the policy was announced. Other countries
followed suit, they include Andorra, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, Denmark, Germany
and Norway etc. (Ibulubo, 2008).
Unfortunately for Nigeria, the 2012 date could not be realized. Due to this failure
which was peculiar to Nigeria only, a new deadline was again set to switch over to
digital from analogue broadcasting. The new deadline was set for 17th June, 2015. The
Federal Government took some steps to ensure that the country met this deadline. These
steps included setting up the Presidential Taskforce on Digitization, inaugurating
Digiteam Nigeria. Digiteam is made up of a group of professionals who have not only
contributed immensely to the industry but have years of experience to handle the
mandate. This group of professionals was to work in collaboration with the National
Broadcasting Commission (NBC) (Udeorah, 2008).
Barely one year to the 2015 deadline, the Director General (DG) of Nigeria’s
broadcast regulatory body, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) assured
Nigerians that the June, 2015 deadline set by the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) for its member-states to migrate from analogue broadcasting to digital
terrestrial television (DTT) remains unshaken. Despite this assurance, Nigeria failed the
second time to meet the ITU deadline. According to the Director General of NBC,
Nigeria as at 2015 had achieved 20% digitization so far (Idoko, 2010). 20% by all
standards is a poor grade and this invariably means that Nigeria has not done well as far
as this issue of digitization is concerned. After Nigeria’s failure to meet the second
deadline, member countries of the Economic Community of West African States
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(ECOWAS) chose yet another date, July, 2017 as the new deadline for the transition
from analogue to digital broadcasting in the sub-region (Uwaoma, 2012). So, the
researcher in this study takes an appraisal of the challenges and prospects of the
Nigerian broadcast media in the meeting the July 2017 deadline for complete switch
over from analogue to digital broadcasting.
Problem
The world broadcasting system has been changing from the analogue system of
broadcasting to digitization. This change began in the UK in 2011. The move was
proposed by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in 2006 when it set a
targeted deadline of 2015 for the world to transform from analogue to digital
broadcasting. By this date and after, analogue TV receivers will no longer receive
signals because the broadcast stations will be transmitting on digital, except the
receivers had gotten a Set-Top Box. Nigeria had previously set a target for the
digitization around June 17, 2012 but failed to meet that deadline, another deadline was
set for June 17, 2015; again this deadline was recently not met. These series of failures
spurred the researcher to embark on this study, especially with the new deadline of July
2017. Considering the enormous benefits accruable to the country from this move,
migrating from analogue to digital broadcasting is necessary. It becomes imperative
therefore to know why Nigeria had failed twice to meet the ITU deadline and the
possibility of meeting the third deadline set to move to digital broadcasting.

Objectives of the Study

The objectives of this study are:

I. To find out whether poor funding, lack of political Will and policy framework
are affecting the complete transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in
Nigeria?
II. To explore the readiness of the Nigerian broadcast media in the digital switch
over of July 2017.
III. To study the efforts that the government through NBC has put in place to ensure
that Nigeria does not fail in July 2017 switch over.
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IV. To recommend ways to avert or reduce the impact of the identified

challenges
Research Questions
The research questions for this study are:
1. Do poor funding, lack of political Will and policy framework affect the complete
transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria?
2. How ready is the Nigerian broadcast media in the digital switch over of July
2017?
3. What efforts have the government through NBC put in place to ensure that
Nigeria does not fail again in the July 2017 switch over?
Research Hypotheses
H1 Poor funding, lack of political Will and policy framework affect the complete
transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria.
Ho Poor funding, lack of political Will and policy framework do not affect the complete
transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria.

H2 The Nigerian media are completely ready for the digital switch over of July 2017.
Ho The Nigerian media are not completely ready for the digital switch over of July
2017.

H3 Government through NBC has made reasonable effort to ensure that Nigeria does
not fail again in the July 2017 switch over.
Ho Government through NBC has made reasonable effort to ensure that Nigeria does
not fail again in the July 2017 switch over.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Television broadcasting in Nigeria started with the initiative of the first Western
Region premier, Chief Obafemi Awolowo who on October 31, 1959 launched
television broadcasting at Ibadan the headquarters of the region. The Western Region
went into partnership with the overseas Rediffusion Limited. The Western Nigerian
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Radio vision services limited were created with the responsibility of radio and
television broadcasting under one management (Cortada, 2006).
Nigeria as the giant of Africa has to her credit, the first television outfit in Africa,
the Western Nigeria Television (WNTV) on NTA Ibadan. The emergence of what is
known today as Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was borne out of the sheer desire
to cater for the crying needs of variegated audience in terms of newsgathering,
packaging and transmission; this became the second oldest station after (WNTV)
resuming transmission on Ist October, 1960. The Decree No. 24 of 1977 caused all
existing television stations in the country to be taken over by the Federal Government
and then led to a change of name to Nigerian Television Authority (NTA).
However, television broadcasting in Nigeria since inception has been
transmitting through analogue television which uses complete waves to transmit
pictures and sounds. The major drawback of this is that location plays an integral factor,
disabling, distorting images and audio on Television in rural areas. (Kombol, 2008,
p.13) Over the years, television had grown from strength to strength. It moved from
monochrome (black and white) to colour transmission and today we talk of digitization.
Digital Migration – An Overview
Until the 1990’s, broadcasting was mainly a matter of transferring sound or video
streams through the airwaves (or in some developed countries through cable as well) by
means of analogue signals. This was a linear process, with each element in the content
stream taking its turn to transmit behind the one that went before it. This worked well
enough, except for one thing, it required a lot of bandwidth i.e. a lot of capacity was
taken up on wireless electronic frequencies in order to carry signals in this manner. This
was the case of radio (Flew, 2008).
In television which uses UHF and VHF frequencies, it was the same story, one
station, one frequency. With limited frequencies, the effect was a limit to the number of
stations. Much of this has changed with the advent of digital electronics. These
technologies meant that sound and video as well as text and still images could be stored
and transmitted in the form of binary digits. The introduction of digital broadcasting
represents the most significant innovation since the advent of broadcasting itself.
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Digital broadcasting is the multiplication of the number of available channels

used to transform the very nature of television medium by making it interactive. The
process of digitization is commonly used in broadcasting, computing and
telecommunications and offers the potential for a whole range of new applications, such
as electronic retail services, internet access and pay-per-view facilities. Although these
innovations have caught the imagination of observers and constitute the core topics of
the growing literature on digital broadcasting, the scope of the changes brought by the
digitization of broadcasting still needs to be properly addressed from a sociological
perspective. Digitization is transforming not only the way we watch television and the
way we use television, but also the way television is made (Idoko, 2010).
Digitization has considerably increased the sources of uncertainties and the level
of risks for the rapidly expanding number of players involved in broadcasting.
Although, there are certainties in broadcasting, such as the field, many developments
are still open-ended and very few analysts can predict the direction they will take.
Furthermore, even though some future features of broadcasting are clear for all to see,
most market players and unsure about their own future in broadcasting. They are
uncertain how to relate to both predictable and unpredictable developments, and are
aware that they need to take risks and tough decisions if they are to prosper in the time
ahead. The process of digitization is challenging public service broadcasters and will
ultimately contribute to weaken their presence in the public sphere. This follows Beck’s
argument about the decline of the role of the state in radicalized modernity (Keyton,
2001).
The feudal nobility lived off the commercial bourgeoisie and encouraged it in its
own interests. In this way, the nobility involuntarily and necessarily created a successor
which grew steadily in power. In the same way, developed industrial society
‘nourishes’ itself from the hazards it produces, and so creates the social risk positions
and political potentials which call into question the foundation of modernization as it
has so far been known. A major characteristic of risk society is that it produces a
reflexive modernity. Following Tony Gidens, Ulrich Beck writes that risk society is
‘where we switch from what nature can do to us to what we have done to nature’. If risk
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society ‘begins where nature ends’, it also begins ‘where tradition end’, in that ‘we can
no longer take traditional certainties for granted’. The rapid pace of economic and
technological development, and the process of de-traditionalization in the social and
value spheres, generate risks and insecurities in all aspects of life. Modern society
becomes an issue in itself and a ‘problem for itself (Uwaoma and Innocent, 2012).
Thus, a second foremost trait of this emerging new modernity is the level of risk,
threat and uncertainty it generates. Whereas, industrial society was based on the logic of
wealth production. In risk society, the production of wealth is accompanied by the logic
of risk distribution. Beck defines risk as ‘a systematic way of dealing with hazards and
insecurities induced and introduced by modernization itself’. Risk is not provoked by
nature but it is manufactured by human activity, notably the rapid pace and vast array of
technological developments and inventions. Typical examples include risks generated
by radioactivity, toxic chemicals, general pollution of the environment, contamination
of food, and industrial means of production. These correspond to a type of risk which
Beck and Giddens call manufactured uncertainty. Uncertainty is related to the growing
incalculability of risk, in the sense that the consequences and implications of
technological progress are increasingly difficult to predict.

Risk Dimension of Radicalized Modernity in Digitization

It appears that digitization of broadcasting has considerably increased the sources

of uncertainties and the level of risks for the rapidly expanding number of players
involved in broadcasting. Four main sources of uncertainty have been identified;
Market demand, Competition, Regulation and Complexity.
Market Demand: Many analysts observe that the primary source of uncertainty in the
new environment is related to the nature and evolution of market demand. For instance,
the European Commission Convergence Green Paper points out that the nature and
potential growth of market demand for the new services is the greatest uncertainty
facing market players. So far, the European broadcasting sector has been relatively safe
from market related contingencies because technological limitations have meant that
demand outstrips supply. But digital technology, through signal compression, is
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progressively putting an end to scarcity and opening up an era of abundance in

broadcasting. This implies that a traditionally supply driven industry can no longer take
consumers for granted (Franklin, 1998).
An excess of 200 digital channels have already been launched throughout
Europe, and their mixed fortunes show that success within European markets is more
uncertain than ever. Uncertainty is compounded by the fact that mass markets for
digital channels do not yet exist, and it is difficult to be sure of the future level of
consumer demand for these news services.
Competition for viewers’ attention is aggravated by the already well developed
market for home entertainment which includes analogue television (terrestrial, cable
and satellite) and video rental, as well as the internet and game consoles for youth
segment of the population. Figures released by the Microsoft Computer Age Report in
November 1998 reveal that PC owning households in Britain consume 21 percent less
television that average viewers 15 hours a week against 19 hours). More than half of
surveyed households said that their favorite time to connect to the web was between
6pm and 8pm, when some of the most popular soap operas are programmed.
Facing stiff competition in the mass market, digital television providers now have
to make sharp marketing decisions and determine which niche services will be
profitable and sustainable in the future. Such niche services may involve channels
devoted solely to such local or genre topics as major football clubs or channel bouquet
tailored for specific generational, gender or ethnic markets (Giddens, 1998).
In addition to the level of market demand, there are also many uncertainties
regarding the behavior of consumers and their reactions to forth coming interactive
digital services. Service providers and equipment manufacturers are themselves
uncertain of where market preference lie and only time will tell how the behaviors of
individuals shape market structures. There are many speculations at the moment about
the extent of the convergence between television and networked computing equipment.
Some experts speculate that the difference between television and personal computers
will ultimately vanish and that markets will converge towards the development of an
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integrated PC/TV; others estimate that television and computers correspond to different
types of activity and will continue to be distinctive pieces of equipment.
Competition: This section argues that digitization increases competition and that
competition increases the level of uncertainty in the broadcasting field. In view of the
capital and expertise required to launch a successful broadcasting service, it is not
surprising that, so far, the majority of the service providers in digital television are
those that currently provide analogue services. Whether it be analogue TV, Satellite or
Cable. Nonetheless, digital technologies are bound to increase competition in the
broadcasting field despite the dominance of traditional players. First, the multiplication
of channels will increase competitive struggles between existing players by giving them
opportunities to expand their own services. The BBC is launching several new channels
on digital terrestrial television; channel 4 has created a film channel (film four), and
ITV 2 its first channel.
Second increased bandwidth capacity is allowing secondary players to reinforce
their presence in the British Broadcasting field. This is the case with Turner
Broadcasting System, a subsidiary of Time Warner, which is already broadcasting
several channels (CNN International, Cartoon Network and TNT Classic Movies) on
cable and satellite delivery platforms and launching a new service on digital terrestrial
television. Another illustration is provided by General Cable. The fifth largest cable
company in the UK is planning to launch several transactional services, including retail
services (banking, shopping, etc), data services and multi-player gaming facilities.
Third, digital technologies are creating opportunities for new entrants. The
phenomenon of convergence between broadcasting, telecommunications and computing
is creating a window of opportunity to invest in the field for companies new to
broadcasting. In the government decided to allow telecommunications companies to
offer nationwide broadcast services to their subscribers starting from 1 st January 2001.
In addition, digital technology will allow owners of contents rights to cut out
intermediaries, such as service providers, and broadcast their materials themselves.
Movie producers and leading sports rights owners, such as sporting federations, will be
able to launch their own niche channels, as Manchester United Football Club has
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already done with MUTV. There are several reasons why intensified competitive
struggles will increase the unpredictability of future developments in broadcasting as
well as the amount of uncertainties for market players.
The different - and by nature conflicting – strategies of competing corporate
players make the structure of the field itself subject to many changes. Mergers between
two key players, when allowed by competition regulators, have important repercussions
across the field and affect all the other competitors. The introduction of major new
players may have similar effects and force others to re-adjust their strategies. They may
either decide to undo previous alliances and join a new entrant or strengthen their
current alliance with new joint ventures. Thus, as companies continuously adjust their
strategies as a function of the latest parameters, the configuration of the field is in
constant evolution (Collins, 1998). This instability makes it increasingly makes it
difficult for decision makers to assess the future of their companies.
Regulations: As regulations themselves are acutely aware, regulatory uncertainty is a
growing problem for the digital age. The European Commission has identified three
different ways in which regulations can cause uncertainty; ‘the scope of current
definitions; the way they are applied, or whether they fit changing market structures. A
similar problem arises because of regulation inconsistencies between different
countries. As an increasing number of market players operate across frontiers,
discrepancies between national broadcasting regulations may hamper their international
activities. The European authorities have addressed this issue by establishing a contact
committee between the main British, German and French regulatory bodies.
Confusing situations are also created by aging and unadapted regulatory
structures. In Great Britain, no less than 14 regulatory bodies lay claim to jurisdiction
over media and communications. The phenomenon of convergence makes gaps and
overlaps in the regulatory coverage even more apparent. In its Green paper on
communications regulation, the British government has recognized that because of the
overlap of regulatory responsibilities, firms operating in the converging sector ‘may
face regulatory double jeopardy, with the possibility of different decisions from
different regulators and the threat of regulatory forum shopping by competitors seeking
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“right” regulatory decision’. With ‘coherence’, ‘consistency’ and ‘clarity’ among the
principles of the review of the regulatory regime, the government is clearly seeking to
increase the legal certainty for the market players of the digital era.
Complexity: Complexity itself arises because of the expansion of the broadcasting
field, the multiplicity of competitive strategies of old and new players, the pace of
technological progress and the phenomenon of convergence. This section concentrates
on the technological aspect of complexity and its consequences. The evolution in digital
technologies is extremely rapid. Experiments progress in an ongoing process. There is
much at stake in technology and many players are looking for the breakthrough that
would give them a competitive edge over rivals. All leading companies are actively
involved in research because they know they cannot afford to be left behind. This pace
makes predictions difficult to hold and few companies are certain that the technologies
they are investing in will not be obsolete in a couple of years.
An additional factor of complexity comes from the fact that with digital services
several technologies come into play. Not only is digital technology bringing together
three distinct industries (broadcasting, telecommunications and computing) but it is
making available different transmission systems, notably cable, the Multi- point Video
Distribution System (MVDS), the telecommunications network (ISDN) or the x-Digital
subscriber and geo-stationary orbit satellites.
As different technologies become interrelated, and even interdependent, it is
increasingly difficult for players, either on the production or regulatory side, to have a
grasp of what exactly is going on. The European commission admits that this
continuing competition between different technologies can change the fortunes of one
approach or another, making it difficult to be prescriptive about tomorrow’s network
architectures. As in risk society, the pace and complexity of the digital environment
gives the overall feeling to players that nobody is in charge anymore.
Objectives and Subjective Uncertainties: At all times, business has involved risk
taking. Even prior to the modern era, commerce has always involved a great deal of
uncertainty. Broadcasting was no exception to the rule. Pioneers in the field had to
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make crucial decisions at defining moments such as at the time of the introduction of
color or the launch of a second channel in the public sector.
However, with the coming of the digital era, risks have reached new heights and
the sources of uncertainties have multiplied. Broadcasting service providers are not yet
certain of the type of response new service will meet from the public. New players are
entering, or about to enter. The broadcasting arena and the intensification of
competitive struggle among these profit-oriented corporations make the future of the
field more unpredictable than ever. Regulatory inconsistencies, complexity and the pace
of technological progress add to the perplexity of many actors in the field.
Certainties exist in this uncertain world. Most notably broadcasting is getting
increasingly global, audiences are fragmenting and ownership will ultimately
concentrate. However, market players are unsure how to respond to the few trends that
analysts hold for certain. They are aware that their position in tomorrow’s broadcasting
depends on routes they take and alliances they make today. New technologies generate
new markets but also can eliminate existing ones. Globalization multiplies market
opportunities but also the sources of competition.
Corporate players may know that new technologies can create new markets, but
continuously fear to engage in a technological dead-end. They may know that
broadcasting is getting more global than ever, but may hesitate on which international
alliances to form and what their exact nature should be. They may know that world
broadcasting will be dominated by a chosen few, but they are not certain who the list
will include and strive to remain in the leading pack.
At any rate, not only corporate players see their own future broadcasting as
uncertain, they increasingly perceive the future broadcasting itself as unpredictable. The
current business technological revolution and is rife with jargon on risk taking.
Taking risks, breaking rules, and being a maverick have always been important,
but today they are more crucial than ever. We live in a discontinuous world – one where
digitization, deregulation and globalization are profoundly reshaping the industrial
landscape. The ability to take risks is seen as paramount in this new environment. A
business analyst, Stuart Crainer, claims that Rupert Murdoch owes part of his success to
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the fact that he is an inveterate gambler. He sees this penchant as an advantage in these
circumstances, because ‘Murdoch and a handful of others are betting on the future; they
are investing in technology they don’t even know will work to tap into markets that
don’t exist sometime in the future’.
Thus, risks and uncertainties are present at two levels in contemporary
broadcasting. They are objective, in the sense that some aspects of the future of
broadcasting are still uncertain, even though some trends and parameters are clearly
identifiable; but they are also prevalent in the corporate mindset. Executives are anxious
about the future of their companies and are unsure about general development in
broadcasting. In addition to being apprehensive about their situation for the years to
come, they prepare for the unknowable. The notions of change and risk are prevalent in
today’s corporate culture, and this fact alone adds to the unpredictability of
broadcasting.

Advantages of Digital Broadcasting

Digital broadcasting has so many benefits to the audience, broadcasters,

stakeholders and the nation at large. Different sectors of the society are bound to benefit
in one way or the other. These are some of the ways:
a. Digital broadcasting Benefits to Nigeria as a Country: When there is a full
transition to digital broadcasting in line with ITU guidelines, Nigeria has a lot to gain.
Firstly, the spectrum will be freed up and subsequently applied to other services. This is
because digital transmission enhances ‘limited spectrum use’. Full digitization of
television will allow more room for spectrum expansion for the nation’s broadband and
internet penetration. This will be noted in the areas of interactivity services and
innovation in handheld TV broadband devices. A perfect instance of this benefit is in
the activities of Multi choice, a Nigerian operator of Digital Satellite (DSTV) platform
who introduced a convergence of digital broadcasting of TV and audio feed to a mobile
phone. This was done through a company – Details Nigeria and MTN Nigeria. Also,
Glo, another telecoms and internet service provider (ISP) has announced services for
high speed internet, TV and telephone to enhance the reception of Silverbird TV signals
 15

for its subscribers. Also, Nigerians also have the opportunity to use the short message
service (SMS) on live TV broadcast to participate in programmes of their choice.
Secondly, the country is also sure to enjoy more employment opportunities as
new companies licensed as signal distributors of transmissions coming from the
television stations in the country (Keyton, 2001). This means economic gains for the
country as a result of full digital broadcasting. Other economic gains for the country
include multiplicity of channels that would boost content, advertising revenue as well as
generate opportunities in the broadcast and entertainment sectors.
Also, it will further leap frog existing technologies to connect the unconnected in
rural and remote communities and close the digital divide. Presently, a subscription of
N1,000 on Startimes/NTA platform or N3700 on DSTV, viewers in Umuohie, Ngor, a
remote part of Imo East, South East, Nigeria have an unlimited and visibly clear access
to happening around the world just like anyone in the UK, Germany or other major
cities in the world. There are no barriers to those signals and poor reception and
services are gradually phasing out.
b. Digital broadcasting benefits to Nigerian viewers: Udeorah (2009, p.7)
opines that digital broadcasting will afford the views more programming choice arising
from efficient spectrum utilization. Digital broadcasting “plays a vital role in
information dissemination due to its high receptivity, vast coverage and efficiency”
(Bunshak, 2006, p.9). The viewers are sure to receive clearer pictures because digital
broadcasting “promises television pictures that are as clear and crisp as Cineplex
feature”. There will be optimum utilization because the viewers will be able to receive
multiple channels from one station. This variety will definitely enhance the gratification
efficiency of broadcasting. It also affords the viewers the opportunity of using TV in
conjunction with telephone, computer and other information and communication
technology since it enhances convergence.
c. Digital broadcasting benefits to broadcasters and stakeholders: With
digital broadcasting in place, broadcasters are definitely going to enjoy a season of cost
effectiveness; this means that operating cost will be minimized. This is because a
station can carry up to five channels on the same frequency. Also, the production of
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digital programmes is not as rigid, rigorous and time consuming as the analogue. Also,
a station may rely on syndicated programmes because the digitization process
encourages equal opportunities that result in healthy competition. This translates that
the amount spent on salaries and maintenance and infrastructure will reduce drastically
because digital technology does not operate with bulky equipment and it requires the
services of just few people to manipulate such equipment. (Okpanachi, 2008,p.4) and
(Dokpesi, 2008, pp.2-3) agreed to these facts by saying that “digital broadcasting
provide ways to make more money”
d. Digital broadcasting benefits to content providers: The content provider not only
have an increased avenue for “legitimate exploitation of works and avenue for airing
programmes but increased demand for all genres of programmes to fill the additional
programming demands in the increased available channels” (Udeorah, 2009, p.7). As
existing broadcast increase resulting from the digitization process, the demand for
programme will consequently increase making the content providers very well busy and
engaged in a bid to satisfy the numerous stations seeking for its services. As a result,
there will be high level of competition which will enhance quality content provision and
at the end; these content providers will maximize profit.
e. In addition, digital broadcasting will enhance the full propagation of local content
being emphasized by NBC. Also, the clamor for community broadcasting will have
reduced setbacks because the multiple channel approach, some of the channels of a
station could be community oriented.
f. Also, the digitalization process demands that those who cannot afford new digital
televisions would need the Set-Top Boxes to enable them receive signals from digital
terrestrial transmitters. Experts believe that this is an opportunity for private investors to
produce these set-top boxes thereby exploring the business potential presented by the
global transition to digital broadcasting.
Challenges of Digital Broadcasting in Nigeria
Nigeria has set two deadlines which they have not been able to meet. What are
the factors responsible for these failures? Some of them are:
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a. Politico-economic factors: There seems not to be stringent measures put in place

to make sure all broadcast stations comply (Ibulubo, 2008, p.1). There is a slow
approach to issues and projects in Nigeria like reviving the power sector, infrastructural
developments.
b. Technical and Financial challenges: The transition from analogue to digital
broadcasting is highly capital intensive. It requires huge investments on the equipment
and gadgets. These issues involve both the broadcasters and the viewers. This is
because the audience cannot enjoy the benefits or dividends of this transition or
switchover without acquiring television sets that are digitally compliant. Putting into
consideration, the low economic standard of most Nigerians, it will be a difficult task
for a lot of people to comply with the deadline of this switchover. Set-Top Boxes have
however been prescribed as an alternative for those who cannot afford new television
sets that support the new technology but then, theses set-top boxes must as a matter of
fact be acquired. On the part of the broadcasters, there is a need for upgrade and
acquisition of new digital equipment ranging from production to transmission
equipment.
c. Human Resources: As complex and highly sophisticated equipment are being
acquired for the switch-over process, there is a need for matching human resources to
operate these equipment and gadgets. The task of training and retraining of personnel to
fit into the digital process becomes an enormous one. Also, some of the existing hands
may be adversely affected too since they may not find it easy to understand the
flexibility and fragility of the new technology.
d. Epileptic Power Supply: The state of power supply in the country is one that is
worrisome. All efforts put in to revive this sector seem to have proved abortive since
this trend has not been reversed. Almost all companies and even government
establishments rely on generating sets to run their activities thereby increasing the cost
of production or service which are subsequently transferred to the final consumers. This
makes the cost of living in Nigeria very high. This however poses a serious challenge to
the switchover to digital broadcasting since it would create high cost of programme
production and presentation.
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e. Awareness of the Average Nigerian:Another subtle issue that poses a serious

challenge to the switchover to digital broadcasting in Nigeria is the level of awareness
of the average Nigerian of the digitalization process. Nigeria has a low literacy level;
most of their population also lives in the remote and rural areas. They apparently do not
know or get information about the process. Series of Vox Pop carried out by both the
print and electronic media reveal that most people do not know what the process is all
about. The process is therefore faced with the issue of ignorance by the audience which
is not healthy for the process.
f. Legal Issues: A major source of concern to Nigeria meeting the deadlines
set by ITU has always been the delay in policy development and implementation of the
white paper on the Presidential committee on Digitilization report. NBC and NCC, its
regulatory bodies are yet to come out with those companies granted licenses to operate
broadcast content license and broadcast signal distribution license to effectively kick
start the full realization of the digitalization project.
Part of the legal issues is also the fact that there is also the fact that there is a
legal tussle between NBC and Pinnacle Communications Ltd., one of the licensed
signal distributors. Pinnacle went to court because it said NBC had breached the
contract it signed with it as contained in the Digital Switch-over (DSO) white paper.
The contractual agreement provides that only two signal distributors are to be licensed
at the initial stage, and that market conditions could require licensing of additional
signal distributors. But Pinnacle said NBC rescinded on the agreement and it is now
giving undue advantage to foreign owned broadcast stations by allowing them to be
signal distributors and content providers.
METHODOLOGY

The research design was the survey research design. The area of study for this
research work is Enugu metropolis, Enugu State, Nigeria. The population of this study
was drawn from the area of the study which comprised residents of Enugu metropolis,
which is 722644. The sample size is 400. The researcher adopted the simple random
sampling technique to administer the questionnaire to the respondents.
 19

The instrument of data collection used in this study was the questionnaire. The
questionnaire was a structured one and designed with close-ended and open-ended
questions. The questionnaire was divided into two parts; the first part dealt with the
demographic details of the respondents, while the second part concentrated on the
questions designed to elicit responses from the respondents. In all, 400 questionnaires
were administered to the sample of the study.

Data Analysis and Results

Table 1: Do poor funding, lack of political Will and policy framework affect the
complete transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria?

Variables Frequency Percentage

Agree 220 55%
Strongly agree 110 27.5%
Disagree 42 10.5%
Strongly disagree 28 7%
Total 400 100%

The table indicates that 220 of the respondents representing 55% agreed that poor
funding, lack of political Will and policy framework affect the complete transition from
analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria; 110 of the respondents representing 27.5%
strongly agreed; 42 of the respondents representing 10.5% disagreed; while 28% of the
respondents representing 7% strongly disagreed.

Table 2: Is the Nigerian broadcast media ready for the digital switch over of July
2017?

Variables Frequency Percentage

Yes 305 76.3%
No 95 23.7%
Total 400 100%
 20

The table indicates that 305 of the respondents representing 76.3% said that the
Nigerian broadcast media is ready for the digital switch over of July 2017, while 95%
of the respondents representing 23.7% said “No” to the question.

Table 3: Is the government through NBC making effort to ensure that Nigeria
does not fail again in the July 2017 switch over?

Variables Frequency Percentage

Yes 242 60.5%
No 158 39.5%
Total 400 100

The table indicates that 242 of the respondents representing 60.5% said that the
government through NBC is making effort to ensure that Nigeria does not fail again in
the July 2017 switch over, while 158% of the respondents representing 39.5% said
“No” to the question.

Hypothesis One
H1 Poor funding, lack of political Will and policy framework affect the complete
transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria.
Ho Poor funding, lack of political Will and policy framework do not affect the complete
transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria.
Table 4: Test of Hypothesis I

Veritable 0 E 0–E (0 – E)2 (0 – E)2

E
Agree 220 100 120 14400 144
Strongly agree 110 100 10 100 0
Disagree 42 100 -58 3364 33.7
Strongly disagree 28 100 -72 5184 51.8
Total 400 229.5
 21

Calculated Chi-square value (2) = 229.5

Df = k – 1

Df = 4 – 1

Df = 3

Table value at 0.05 level of significant = 7.815

Decision: Since the calculated Chi-square value (299.5) is greater than the table value
(7.815), the alternative hypothesis (H1) is accepted, and the null hypothesis (Ho) is
rejected. Therefore, poor funding, lack of political Will and policy framework affect the
complete transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria.

Hypothesis Two
H2 The Nigerian media are completely ready for the digital switch over of July 2017.
Ho The Nigerian media are not completely ready for the digital switch over of July
2017.

Table 5: Test of Hypothesis II

Veritable 0 E 0–E (0 – E)2 (0 – E)2

E
Yes 305 200 105 1105 55.1
No 95 200 -105 11025 55.1
Total 400 110.2

Calculated Chi-square value (2) = 110.2

Df = k – 1

Df = 2 – 1

Df = 1

Table value at 0.05 level of significant = 3.841

 22

Decision: Since the calculated Chi-square value (110.2) is greater than the table value
(3.841), the alternative hypothesis (H2) is accepted and the null hypothesis (Ho) is
rejected. Therefore, The Nigerian media are completely ready for the digital switch over
of July 2017.

Hypothesis Three
H3 Government through NBC has made reasonable effort to ensure that Nigeria does
not fail again in the July 2017 switch over.

Ho Government through NBC has made reasonable effort to ensure that Nigeria does
not fail again in the July 2017 switch over.

Table 6: Test of Hypothesis IV

Veritable 0 E 0–E (0 – E)2 (0 – E)2

E
Yes 242 200 42 1764 8.8
No 158 200 -42 1764 8.8
Total 400 17.6

Calculated Chi-square value (2) = 17.6

Df = k – 1

Df = 2 – 1

Df = 1

Table value of 0.05 level of significance = 3.841

Decision: Since the calculated Chi-square value (17.6) is greater than the table value
(3.841), the alternative hypothesis (H4) is accepted while the null hypothesis (H 0) is
rejected. Therefore, Government through NBC has made reasonable effort to ensure
that Nigeria does not fail again in the July 2017 switch over.
 23

In all, three hypotheses were tested for statistical support. The tested hypothesis
received positive support as tested using the Chi-square goodness of fit. In hypothesis
one, the analysis indicates that the calculated Chi-square value (229.0) is greater than
the table value (7.815) giving validity to the alternative hypothesis (H 1). This goes to
show that Poor funding, lack of political Will and policy framework affect the complete
transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria.

Hypothesis two dealt with the issues of whether The Nigerian media are
completely ready for the digital switch over of July 2017. In the analysis, the calculated
chi-square value (110.2) is greater than the table value (3.841) giving credibility to the
alternative hypothesis (H2). This is an indication that the adoption of ICTs is relevant to
media to stakeholders and the government.

The last hypothesis three which discussed the issue of whether Government
through NBC has made reasonable effort to ensure that Nigeria does not fail again in
the July 2017 switch over received statistical support. The analysis showed that the
calculated chi-square value (17.6) is greater than the table value (3.541) validating the
alternative hypothesis. This therefore implies that ICTs have benefits to media and
media professionals.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Digitization plays important role in facilitating information gathering and

dissemination. It is very needful in the media sector as they play their role of cultural
redirection, information flow, education and culture, national development, politic and
social mobilization. In strengthening the quality of media activities in both print and
broadcast media, it should be recognize that the adoption of information
communication technology is very crucial, if not indispensable. Since development
fosters growth in any nation or sector of life, the mass media must be considered of
utmost important and the real ICT trends relevant to the development of the mass media
should be adopted to enhance the overall development of the nation. This is because;
the media advances a nation and engenders positive development. In ensuring a bright
 24

future for the nation, the mass media is to be revolutionized as to meet up with the
global trend of information communication technology, which basically is concerned
with digitization. The Nigerian media will become very useful, vibrant and virile if the
right technology is adopted to drive the activities of the practitioners, in terms of
equipping them individually and supply sophisticated equipment for information
gathering and dissemination.

Based on the major findings of this study, the following recommendations were
made:

(a) Government and stakeholders in the media sectors should embrace information
and communication technology and use if for the development of the Nigerian
media.
(b) Media organizations in Nigeria should be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities
to meet up with the challenges of global news gathering and dissemination.
(c) Media practitioners should be trained on how to best make use of information
communication technology trend to advance their activities and ensure quality
media output.
(d) Media practitioners should enhance fully the use of information communication
technology in carrying out their activities.
(e) Stakeholders in the media industry should ensure that the 2015 set target for
digitization of the Nigerian media is met.
 25

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