•Whether or not Nigeria is ready would depend on the parameters at play, even if digital television is desirable on many fronts
In its simplest form, digital is different from analogue television because whereas a digital television receiver needs a decoder (or set-up box) to function, an analogue television receiver does not. The decoder ensures the receiver can beam much more channels, much clearer pictures and far richer sounds than analogue television.
The flip side however is cost. Whereas about everyone with a television set now has access to analogue television, since it is basically free-to-air, the few who have access to digital television do so through pay-TV. So, to access digital television, the consumer must not only afford acquiring a television set, he must also afford pay-TV.
So, is Nigeria ready for whole migration from analogue to digital? That again would depend on the criteria at play. Suffice it to say, however, that the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has proposed a deadline of June 2015, just as Nigeria’s Federal Government has set a target of January 1, 2015.
How realistic are these targets, the Federal Government’s being less than six months away? To start with, a segment of the population, particularly in the urban settings, already enjoy digital television. It is true that cost of monthly tariffs often throws the poorest segments of the pay-TV market in and out of that viewing bracket. Still, for the richer segment, the deadline means nothing, for they are already there.
Still, to meet the January 1, 2015 deadline, the government needs to roll out operating and investment-friendly policies. Migrating into digital television costs money. Yet, though statistics trotted out by government sources suggest the Nigerian economy is looking up, the stark reality on the ground suggests otherwise. Therefore, if the government is really serious on its deadline, it might need to consider putting in place cheap credit for investors.
Then, operational guidelines. Now, as earlier stated, the most visible difference between analogue and digital TV is that analogue consumers watch their TV free; digital consumers pay for theirs. Also, analogue TV is most times government-powered, since TV viewing is considered a social service, in which government must invest to beam its message and offer some entertainment, which viewers need not pay for. On the other hand, digital TV is basically private sector-driven, with a near-monopoly right now milking the market.
If Nigeria were to mass migrate, therefore, new operating rules would have to be put in place. Will the government-owned stations still run free-to-air? If they do, will they also supply their viewers with free decoders? If they do, how would the extra costs impact on the provision of other social amenities?
In the private sector, already into the business, a much more stringent regulation regime would have to be applied — not to stifle and harass investors and operators, but to ensure, unlike now, their subscription delivers value for money.
Of course, there is also the power conundrum. If tele-viewing operating costs were not to spiral out of control, with fatal consequences for the bottom-line, electricity supply must be regularly available. Regular electricity would make available cheaper power, keep tariffs relatively low and aim at a mass market that can deliver profit for the investors and pleasure for the consumer.
But it is in the area of content that the advent of digital television becomes so tantalising. With the ready pool of paying viewers, investors would boast a reasonable chest for investments in content: soap opera, full feature films, short flicks, documentaries, musical shows, etc.
With local production of decoders providing jobs for local artisans, technicians and engineers, content would provide jobs for performing artists, songwriters and musicians (for sound tracks), theatre artists and allied skilled professionals.
Conceived and implemented well, therefore, digital TV has the prospect of further deepening the entertainment sub-sector of the economy and providing gainful jobs for millions of Nigerian youths.
