20m Nigerians switch on terrestrial TV as SES captures 2.8m households

Terrestrial television is gaining traction in Nigeria as reception reaches 20.41 homes in 2015, according to a survey conducted by SES, a global satellite services provider.

This is even as SES captures 2.8 million TV homes in the country, out of which 1.7 million use satellite.

Speaking on the research and SES’s milestones in Lagos, Paul Freeman, vice president, marketing for SES, said terrestrial TV has gained 62 percent reception among TV users in Nigeria, just as satellite makes up 27 percent, and cable 11 percent.

“There are 20.4 million homes with terrestrial TV in Nigeria; 8.98 million on satellite, and 3.53 million on cable,” Freeman said.

Freeman said $250,000 has been invested in the satellite monitors in Nigeria, just as 50,000 homes in the country need to be switched over to the digital space.

He further said out of 32.92 million homes in the country, 25.26 million (77 percent) use tube TV, while 7.66 million make use of flat screen TV.

He also disclosed that SES market size is about 27 percent of TV channels, stressing that the recent research shows that SES reaches 2.8 million homes, made up of 1.1 million cable homes and 1.7 million satellite households.

“Satellite emerges the central pillar of digital broadcasting infrastructure in Nigeria. SES has an active role in the Digital Switchover (DSO),” he stated.

Eric Lecocq, regional director for sales, north, west and central Africa, said SES offers video, consumer and enterprise as well as mobility and government services.

“We have the capacity to deliver 1GB, meaning when you have 3000 to 5000 people, they can all use wi-fi,” Lecocq said.

According to Lecocq, SES is proactive and developing the government segment, which includes e-learning and the provision of security services for the military and other security agencies.

He said the global satellite provider is developing the broadcasting market in West Africa, supported by population growth and income per capita, which have been on the rise.

“We also have an emerging middle-class, which can afford to pay homes. We expect 108 million more digital TV homes in the next 10 years. There is also strong demand for connectivity, supported by an increasing demand for broadband and rural connectivity, among others,” he stated.

“We have developed some e-health applications and e-learning. We support government-led initiatives to bridge the digital divide and ensure secured access,” he further said.

Theodore Asampong, director of sales, SES platform services, said the firm is close to relevant authorities in Nigeria.

“It took the UK seven to eight years to have a switchover,” Asmapong said, in response to a question.

“It is difficult for everyone. But now that we have started, it will take some time for us to do it,” he further said, in reference to a question regarding when Nigeria will have a DSO.