ABSTRACT: This study’s goal was to evaluate the impact of digitization on Broadcasting in Nigeria. In the history of broadcasting in Nigeria and the rest of the globe, particularly in the twenty-first century, digitization of broadcasting is without a doubt a unique era.  The study was anchored on Technological Determinism Theory. A survey research method was employed. Additionally, questionnaires were distributed to the (respondents) Africa Independent Television (AIT) journalists that were selected with the use of purposive sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using frequency and percentage. Substantial number of the respondents (100%) were aware of digitization. Similarly, majority of the respondents (90%) pointed out that transition from analog to digital broadcasting has positively affected AIT to a high extent. Although, the majority of the respondents (44.4%) said the major challenge facing switch over from the analog to digital at AIT is about getting the new equipment for digitization. Equally, majority of the respondents (33.3%) noted that the benefits that the digitization offer includes accessibility of multiple channels. It is also recommended that government and other stakeholders should ensure that the problems that may hinder effective digital switch-over be addressed. Now that StarTimes and GOTV are helping in this switch-over, the signal should be available beyond towns and cities to include the rural communities.

Keywords: DIGITIZATION ON BROADCASTING

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

Statement of the Problem

Research Questions

Objectives of the Study

Significance of the Study

Scope of the study

LITERATURE REVIEW

Definition of Broadcasting

Digitization Definitions

Historical Overview of Digitization 

Struggles for Digitization in Nigeria 

Digitization: Nigeria Experience            

Advantages of Digitization        

Digital Broadcasting Eco-system

Digitization VS Analogue Broadcasting

Benefits of Digitization of Broadcast Media in Nigeria

Challenges of Digitization of Broadcasting 

Theoretical Framework: Technological Determinism Theory

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

Research Design

Research Method

Instrument for Data Collection

Method of Data Analysis

DATA ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

CONCLUSION

RECOMMENDATIONS

References

Appendix

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background to the Study

            Digitalization in broadcasting is the application of digital technologies in the process of sourcing, producing and disseminating broadcast content. The digital revolution is changing broadcast journalism by changing the way and manner in which we produce and consume news, which is mostly visible in television broadcasting, considering it’s audio-visual nature that gives room for exploration (IPL, 2022)

            When we talk about the transition to digital television, we’re talking about the change from analog to digital broadcasting. A significant effort is being made by several nations to transition from analog to digital broadcasting as they appreciate the enormous benefits that it brings. Making sure that people acquire high-definition television sets and stop using standard definition television sets are just two of the many changes that must be made to the transmission signals as analog broadcasting is converted to digital broadcasting (Onuh, 2010).

To understand digital (broadcasting) TV, it is important to understand the concept and operation of analog broadcasting so that one can fully conceptualize digital broadcasting. The analog broadcasting standard has been in use in the Nigeria for about 50 years (Abbas, 2008). This is the manual form of radio/television broadcasting in which less sophisticated equipment are adopted and most of the operations are done manually with the use of console, VCD/CD recorder, radio cassette and many more (Alex, 2002).

            Digital Broadcasting on the other hand, is the practice of using digital data rather than analogue waveforms to carry broadcasts over television channels or assigned radio frequency bands. Digitization could also be defined as the transmission of audio, video and data digitally processed and multiplexed signal. It is an innovative service that represents the first significant evolution in television broadcasting. To bring this home, multiplexed signal could be simply explained as the signal that combines both audio and video together.

            According to Wikipedia (n.d), digitizing as the representation of an object, image, sound, document, or signal (often an analogue signal) by generating a series of numbers that characterize a discrete set of its points or samples. For both the object and the signal, the outcome is known as digital representation, or more specifically, a digital picture. However, strictly speaking, digitizing simply refers to the conversion of analog source material into a numerical format; the decimal or any other number system can be used in place of binary numbers, which are more commonly used in modern practice to facilitate computer processing and other operations.

            Digitization is of crucial importance to data processing, storage and transmission, because it allows information of all kinds in all formats to be carried with the same efficiency and also intermingled. Unlike analog data, which typically suffers some loss of quality each time it is copied or transmitted, digital data can, in theory, be propagated indefinitely with absolutely no degradation. This is why it is a favored way of preserving information for many organizations around the world.

            However, Kombol (2008) defines digital communication as “an advanced form of information transfer in which messages are converted into a series of 1s and 0s (binary digits) and sent over a channel to the receiver. Digital television is a new technology for transmitting and receiving broadcast television signals. Daramola (2003) said, the digital television (DTV) transition refers to the switch from analog to digital broadcast television. Over the years, television transmission has grown from strength to strength. It moved from monochrome (black and white) to colour transmission and to digital.

            According to Onuh (2010), digitization programme in Nigeria commenced in Abuja on June 3, 2008, following a meeting of stakeholders in the broadcast industry where forum under scored the need for Nigeria to embrace the new technology, so that the country would not be turned into a dumping ground for obsolete analog equipment.

            It should be recalled that Nigeria had failed to meet its first deadline of June 17, 2012 to switch over to digital broadcasting, when in 2005 the International Telecommunications Union announced June 17, 2015 as the final switch over date for analogue broadcasting, many felt 10 years was long enough for the Nigerian broadcast industry to transit to digital terrestrial broadcasting.

            Also, stakeholders in the Nigerian broadcast industry adopted June 17, 2012 as the nation’s switchover date. This date was approved by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. By the approval, June 17, 2012 became Nigeria’s official switch over date (Ityough, 2010). Meanwhile, Netherlands became the first country to transit to digital broadcasting, just a year after the policy was announced. Other countries that followed closely are Andorra, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland Denmark, Germany, Isle of Man, and Norway. Many other countries have joined the lead (Onuh, 2010).

            Unfortunately for Nigeria, the 2012 date could not be realized. Due to the enormity of the phenomenon, many other climes have had to review their switchover dates; the important thing is to meet the deadline of June 2015. Hence, the paper was on the thrust to investigate the impact of digitization on broadcast media with a particular focus on African Independent Television (AIT), Akwa Ibom.

1.2       Statement of the Problem

            The need for switching from analogue to digital transmission resulted from difficulties with analogue broadcast media transmission, including its limited ability to reach large areas, poor visual/image and audio quality among others. However, the attainment of this objective is yet fully effective in Nigeria as lots of local radio and televisions are yet to switch over from analogue to digital. Hence, this paper is on the thrust to critically evaluate the impact of digitization on broadcasting media in Nigeria with a particular focus on African Independent Television (AIT).

1.3      Objectives of the Study

1. To ascertain the extent to which the transition from analog to digital broadcasting would affect AIT.
2. To determine the major challenge that the switch from analog to digital present for AIT?
3. To evaluate the benefits that digitization offers broadcast media and its viewers?

1.4      Research Questions

1. To what extent has the transition from analog to digital broadcasting affect AIT.
2. Of what challenges do the switch from analog to digital present for AIT?
3. What benefits will digitization offer broadcast media and its viewers?

IMPACT OF DIGITIZATION ON BROADCASTING IN NIGERIA

PROJECT DETAILS:

Format = MS Word, Price = ₦4000, Chapter = 1-5, Pages = 52, References = Yes, Questionnaire =Yes, Table of Contents = Yes and Abstract = Yes

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