Digital broadcasting moves to Ilorin as government launches DTT services in Kwara
The people of Ilorin, Kwara State and its environment are in for greater television viewing experience as the federal government is set to launch its digital switch over that will culminate in the effective takeoff of the Integrated Television Services, ITS, in the state.
To realise the easy take off of the switchover, the Director General of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, NBC, Modibbo Kawu who was at Nigerian Television Authority, Ilorin station, where the DSO apparatus were installed recently, said the expected launching of digital switch over in Ilorin was in line with the policy of the commission in ensuring that every household migrates from analogue to digital television.
Recall that Nigeria transited from analogue to digital television viewing on April 30, 2016 in the city of Jos, the Plateau State Capital when the federal government’s launched the pilot phase of the digital transmission project that kick started the digitisation process in Nigeria.
Speaking on the digital revolution about to happen in Ilorin through the launch, Managing Director of Integrated Television Services, ITS , Engr Rotimi Salami, said the launch will herald a new era of television viewing experience for the people of the state.
“The Integrated Television Services welcomes the people of Kwara to this digital television service for all. The excitement is just beginning. It is expected that in the near future, other value added services would commence and we will all be fully integrated to the new world.
Salami explained further that the National Broadcasting Commission, having populated the National platform would decide on the regional broadcasters as well as the local players.
“One of the advantages of digital broadcasting is that it opens up the terrain. You will observe that in Ilorin presently there are only two players available yet for the six places earmarked for local broadcasters. The onus is now on interested local players with adequate content and pedigree to step up the plate. The opportunity is there for the taking’, he said.
When fully operational, the ITS will have on its platform over 30 channels on its Free TV bouquet, thus delivering unbeatable state of the art quality television experience and pocket friendly plan to the people of kwara state.
With over 100 owned and authorized channels creatively selected to appeal to every member of the family, one of the main networks and technical support partner of ITS, Startimes Nigeria, said it has the largest DTT network in Nigeria that can help Nigeria to achieve the DSO timeline.
“StarTimes aggregates various exciting and top-notch channels on its platform to offer millions of subscribers a rich blend of entertainment – be it movies, sports, news, drama, series, and music. Our desire also is to ensure that every Nigerian family can afford, access and enjoy digital television services at very affordable subscription rate.
StarTimes is the leading digital terrestrial television, DTT, operator in Africa, covering 80 per cent of the continent’s population with a massive distribution network of 200 brand halls, 3,000 convenience stores and 5,000 distributors. StarTimes owns a featured content platform, with 440 authorized channels consisting of news, movies, series, sports, entertainment, children’s programs, fashion, religion etc.
However, for Ilorin residence, it is expected that the NBC team will soon commence the sale and distribution of Set Top boxes to viewers. The boxes will enables backward compatibility of existing analogue television sets with the digital signals. Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) is a technological evolution of broadcast television and advancement over analog television.