Digital Terrestrial Television: A Critical Assessment of the Adventures and Misadventures of Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over.

Abstract

The global movement from an erstwhile Global Analog Switch Off to a Digital Switch Over which debuted Digital Terrestrial Television viewership unveils how the world has evolved a fascinating digital culture. Leaning on what this new and exciting opportunity offers, this study, “Digital Terrestrial Television: A Critical Assessment of the Adventures and Misadventures of Nigeria’s Digital Switch Over” used the modernisation theory as theoretical framework to ascertain the level of compliance with the deadline of digital switch over in the country. Compared to other countries which met the requirements of the switch over time limit, the paper discovered that lack of political-will, technical hitches and infrastructural deficits are responsible for the drawback. The researchers suggested cultivating a robust political-will, provision of digitally equipped infrastructure and involving private sector partners as appropriate steps in fulfilling the benchmark. The paper concluded that failure to replicate the Jos, Plateau State and Abuja pilot-initiatives throughout the country amounts to mere lip-service and a calculated misadventure.