In a bid to provide Nigerians with an affordable and engaging television viewing experience, the Federal Government has thrown its weight behind the introduction of a new satellite pay television service.
The platform, known as Silver Lake Television (SLTV), aims to offer citizens a more accessible alternative to existing providers.
During the unveiling ceremony held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Thursday, March 7, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, emphasized that SLTV was a response to the demands of Nigerians for a value-for-money television service. Represented by his Special Adviser on Technical Matters, Professor Babatunde Bernard, the SGF praised the patriotic initiative of Metrodigital Limited, the operators of SLTV, for establishing the indigenously owned pay TV platform.
Akume stated, “SLTV has responded to the clamor of Nigerians for an alternative satellite pay TV service that offers both quality and affordability. The Federal Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is committed to fostering a competitive and responsible broadcasting industry that eliminates monopolistic practices.”
Dr. Ifeanyi Nwafor, the Managing Director of Metrodigital Limited, expressed his firm’s enthusiasm for investing in the pay TV industry. He acknowledged that the growth of pay TV in Nigeria had been hindered by policies that encouraged monopolies, but he was encouraged by the government’s recent efforts to address this issue. Dr. Nwafor announced two subscription packages, priced at 2500 Naira and 5000 Naira per month, respectively, offering a diverse range of channels including sports, movies, news, cartoons, and documentaries. The service would be accessible across Nigeria through a small 60 cm dish.
In response to demands from pay satellite TV subscribers for pay-per-view options, Charles Ebuebu, the Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), stated that the commission would consider such requests. However, he highlighted the need to renegotiate contracts with content providers to accommodate the pay-per-view model.
Ebuebu also addressed concerns about overpricing of content and acknowledged the impact of the country’s economic situation on all sectors. He assured the public that the NBC was reviewing its policies and regulations to create a competitive broadcasting ecosystem where consumers’ choices and market forces would determine prices, ensuring fairness and affordability.
With the federal government’s endorsement and the introduction of SLTV, Nigerians can look forward to a more cost-effective and customer-centric pay TV experience that caters to their diverse entertainment needs.