Satellite operator, SES and and Cable Channels Nigeria Limited (CCNL) say they have signed an agreement to provide a TV platform targeting over 25 million homes in Nigeria.

Under the digital service deal, SES will provide space on its satellite service for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and Direct to Home (DTH) broadcast platforms in Nigeria.

Under the plan, SES says it will use teleport services provided by its local partner Computer Warehouse Group Plc. (CWG), a technology conglomerate in Nigeria.

Commenting on the partnership, Mohammed Bawa, Vice Chairman of CCNL said: “this agreement with SES will have a massive impact on consumers as we move towards the Nigeria DSO process. It moves over 25 million households from three to four analogue channels to 15 channels at launch, increasing to at least 30 channels in digital quality picture and sound.”

CCNL which is licensed by the Nigeria National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), is a certified content aggregator and platform owner for the free-to-air DTT and DTH platforms in Nigeria. The company is playing a key role in the Nigeria Digital Switchover (DSO) process by getting channels onto the land-based DTT network and onto satellite as DTH, both offered under the brand FreeTV.

Using teleport services provided by SES local teleport partner CWG, the channels are aggregated from all over Nigeria through microwave, fibre, IP or satellite and then multiplexed before uplink to the ASTRA-2F satellite at 28.2 degrees East.

On his part, Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou, Senior Vice President, SES Commercial in Africa says that “SES is proud to be CCNL’s partner of choice and at the forefront of the DSO process of the most populous nation in Africa.”

According to the SES VP, “the service will provide 100% coverage for Nigeria DSO through DTT and DTH and gives viewers the opportunity to receive high quality TV throughout the country, regardless of their location. It will also give them access to multiple local, regional and national channels.”

Also commenting, James Agada, Chief Executive Officer, CWG Plc adds that “we believe that the introduction of ‘Free to Air’ (FTA) Direct to Home digital TV (DTH TV) to the Nigerian broadcasting landscape through digital technology will improve the clarity and quality of signals as well as create more awareness of local products and services.”