CHALLENGES AND PROSPECT IN DIGITAL BROADCASTING IN NIGERIA

Abstract

This study was on challenges and prospect in digital broadcasting in Nigeria. Three objectives were raised which included:  To find out the challenges of digital broadcasting in Nigeria, to find out the prospect of digital broadcasting in Nigeria and to understand the socio-economic advantages of digitizing in the broadcasting industry. A total of 77 responses were received and validated from the enrolled participants where all respondents were drawn from NTA Enugu. Hypothesis was tested using Chi-Square statistical tool (SPSS).

Chapter one

Introduction

1.1Background of the study

The Nigerian broadcasting industry is currently undergoing a quiet revolution. It is all about the ongoing transition from analogue to digital technology. Digitization is a technological innovation that will change the scope of radio and television broadcasting in this country and beyond. In line with the transition process, the International Telecommunication Union, ITU, in the Regional Radio communications Conference, RRC ‘06, held in 2006, set a deadline for a total switchover of all broadcast channels from analogue to digital. The body set June 17, 2015 for all UHF channels to have gone digital. It also set the digitization of all VHF channels for 2020 (Aihe 2008). In response to that deadline, Nigeria has set June 17, 2012 as its switchover date. This date is three years earlier than the ITU’s deadline (Ocholi, 2009). Some concerns say Nigeria is on the fast and right track while some others (Oshodin 2009 p.1) see “Nigeria’s digital broadcast migration a mirage” if certain measures are not taken by government and stakeholders. The date has further been shifted to December 2012. Obviously, digital broadcasting has many advantages over the analogue. Programme presentation would be well improved by the time analogue is over. These are true in terms of clarity and quality of signals and spectrum efficiency. Ocholi (2009, p.2) argues that: Since technology has opened a world of possibilities for broadcasting, a huge spectrum will be available for radio and television broadcast in the country. As a result, more frequencies or wavelengths will be available for television stations in the country. It will also afford the industry opportunities for interactive broadcasting as the television sets would now do much more than receive signals

In fact, “digital television signals in particular are clearer and stronger in their audio and video output” (p.1). It is worthy of note that television sets would perform the tasks of computers and telephone handsets, under digital technology. This implies that, TV sets would be able to provide access to the internet. It would also be able to store data from received audio and visual signals. In essence, the ephemeral nature of the broadcast media would have been reduced, if not eradicated. The broadcast media would begin to have catalogue value. On the side of broadcasters, digital broadcasting equipment will enable the simultaneous transmission of a minimum of four programmes and four channels from the same station that used to transmit only one programme or channel in the analogue transmission. Moreover, according to Ocholi (2009, p.3) “digital television offers variety of added services such as multimedia, banking, home shopping and faster rates of data transmission (casting).”

Having noted these, it has been observed that the Nigerian Ministry of information and communications, through its agency, National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, look confident on successfully transiting from analogue to digital by the end of 2012. But a question needs to be looked at: Are Nigerians complying with the demands of this new technology? A careful look at the unfolding events suggests that both broadcasters and consumers do not have the basic information required to achieve the feat. This submission is based on the fact that most of the television and radio sets used today are not digital-compliant. It, therefore, means that those sets would have to be replaced with digital compliant ones. However, for the consumer, there will be a second option or acquiring a digital analogue converter known as Set Top Box. Also, all the analogue production and transmitting equipment will become obsolete at the end of the digitalization process. Regardless of the above positions, Nigerian broadcasting industry must go digital with other countries. Even if the 2012 peg is not realized, the country must not be left behind when the whole world must have switched over to digital system in 2015. It would amount to Nigeria being turned to a dumping ground for obsolete analogue equipment. It was based on the above premise that Ocholi (2009) says: The NBC spokesperson said: “The truth of the matter is that television and radio stations do not have a choice. Nobody has a choice. If we do not migrate from analogue to digital, we will end up being in the dark. It is in everybody’s interest to migrate if Nigeria does not want to be left behind, it has to follow the rest of the world. (p.4)

Statement of the problem

Considering the circumstances under review, Nigeria is faced with a lot of challenges ranging from infrastructure to manpower; and ranging also, from financial implication to sensitization issues. These are not all. Since it has become mandatory that the nation’s broadcast media must transit from analogue to digital system with other counties; and since there is already a set deadline for transition, the stage is set to unravel the challenges and the prospects of the digitalization process. Coming out with a comprehensive knowledge of envisaged setbacks to the process will engender the proffering of remedial measures for a successful transition before 2015, if not 2012.

Objective of the study

The objectives of the study are;

1. To find out the challenges of digital broadcasting in Nigeria
2. To find out the prospect of digital broadcasting in Nigeria
3. To understand the socio-economic advantages of digitizing in the broadcasting industry.

Research Hypotheses

The following research hypotheses are formulated to guide  the study;

H1: there are no challenges of digital broadcasting in Nigeria

H2: there are no prospects of digital broadcasting in Nigeria

Significance of the study

This study is timely because it is on one of the most current and prominent issues. Today, there is intense competition in broadcasting industry all over the world. Also, the study will be of immense benefit to Nigerians especially media professionals as it focuses on providing possible sensitization on making digitization a reality. It is expected that this, will shade more light on where and how media outfit will deliver quality services to the satisfaction of the teaming audience. Finally, students of mass communication will also find the work useful as it touches on their area of specialization

Scope of the study

The scope of the study covers challenges and prospect in digital broadcasting in Nigeria. The study will be limited to NTA, Enugu, Enugu state

Definition of terms

Digitization: This means the use of digital data rather than analogue waveforms to carry broadcasting over television channel.

Broadcast Media: This means one of the mass media channels that make use of television and radio.

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