The Federal Government has ordered GoTv and Startimes to switch their signals to the two approved FreeTv signal distributors in Nigeria. This was disclosed by Lai Mohammed, Minister of Information and Culture on Thursday in Abuja. According to him, this was in line with the Digital Switch Over (DSO) process. The Minister explained that the laws of the country recognize a single frequency network that is being operated by two licensed signal distributors. These are Integrated Television Services (ITS) and Pinnacle Communications. Mohammed noted both Pay televisions, Startimes and GoTv are currently broadcasting their respective signals. “We have directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to ask Gotv and Startimes to go to either Pinnacle or ITS”, he said. “They cannot carry their signals and that is the only way the licensed signal distributors can survive,” he added. The Minister, however, assured Nigerians that DSO would provide a variety of television stations as well as quality pictures and programs without payment of a monthly subscription.
