Dynamics Of Digital Technology In Television Broadcasting In Nigeria

The dynamics of digital technology in Television broadcasting in Nigeria was enunciated by Nigeria"s involvement in the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting following the ITU"s conference in Senegal and Geneva in 2004 and 2006 respectively. Since then, there has been growing concern among stakeholders in the broadcast sector on the preparedness of Nigeria to adopt this new technology. Also, is the Nigerian broadcast environment adequately prepared for the application of digital technology in Television broadcasting? Again, how prepared is the Nigerian government in their policies and plans towards the adoption of this new technology in creating awareness and sensitizing the citizenry.

The dynamics of digital technology in Television broadcasting in Nigeria was enunciated by Nigeria"s involvement in the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting following the ITU"s conference in Senegal and Geneva in 2004 and 2006 respectively. Since then, there has been growing concern among stakeholders in the broadcast sector on the preparedness of Nigeria to adopt this new technology. Also, is the Nigerian broadcast environment adequately prepared for the application of digital technology in Television broadcasting? Again, how prepared is the Nigerian government in their policies and plans towards the adoption of this new technology in creating awareness and sensitizing the citizenry.

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Introduction

It is important to reiterate that the objective of this study was to examine the dynamics of digital technology in television broadcasting in Nigeria.

In the preceding chapter, the relevant data collected for this study were presented, critically analyzed and appropriate interpretation given.

In this chapter, certain recommendations are made which in the opinion of the researcher are drawn from the findings of the study.

5.2 Summary

The study opened with a background where the stating of the problem, study objectives and hypotheses were described. In the second chapter, the study reviewed the relevant and related literatures. The conceptual, and empirical studies were examined as well as the relationship which exists between broadcasting and digital technology. The third chapter described the methodology employed in the study to gather data both primary and secondary data. It also described the statistical tool for testing the hypotheses. The fourth chapter analyzed and presented the data using simple percentages and chi-square statistical tool.

5.3 Conclusion

Fittingly, we have been able to look into several issues of great importance as faras the application of digital technology in the Nigerian broadcast industry is concerned. Acritical look at this work shows that a lot is needed to be done if Nigeria will achieve thedigital switch over by 2012.One thing to note is that Nigeria is so much gifted with human and materialresources which if harnessed would lift or hasten the place of development in our nationas well as going a long way in addressing the problem of lopsided information flowacross the globe. Information and communication is power which is very central to lifeand the survival of the human race as well as sustain contemporary society.

If we must achieve this, this research opens to us a wider or broader view to understand that a lot is still needed to be put in place as long as the issues of the application of digital technology in the Nigeria broadcast industry is raised. Even though the researcher used a professional group with good understanding of what the digital technology is all about, the results therefore, may not be used to qualify the Nigerian populace might not have heard anything about the concept of digital technology. So, this fact is worth noting since the topic of our discussion is all about the disposition of broadcast experts on the issue of digital technology application in the Nigerian broadcast industry.

5.4 Recommendations

Taking cognizance of the results of this research, the researcher therefore makes the following recommendations:

This study recommends that the Nigerian public should be adequately sensitized, informed, educated and mobilized towards the application of digital technology implications on both the people and nation"s development.

Enlightenment campaigns should be embarked on by the government to ensure that the digital switchover does not take the people unawares. The import is that appreciation of this new media technology will become more pronounced if the consumers of media products are adequately informed and educated on the benefits and relevance of such technology.

The cost implication of acquiring these technologies is relatively very high and therefore need to be subsidized if the consumers of broadcast contents in Nigeria shall be able to measure or match the required price for the acquisition of the technology. The import is that, with these new digital technologies, the analogue radio and television will likely become outdated and out of use. Users, in other words, need to change the already existing ones they have or possibly buy a set-top box to be able to enjoy the new innovation.

Adequate training is therefore recommended for broadcasters, technicians and engineers working in the various broadcasting houses on the pros and cons of the new digital technology. The most important thing here is that most of these people aforementioned have just a blink knowledge and understanding of what the digital technology is. This is because, investigations made by the researchers show that the majority of them do misconstrue digitization for pod casting, webcasting, narrow casting, digital automation, even some thought it is a form or part and parcel of cable and satellite broadcasting. This is why the researcher has deemed fit for this training to be conducted in this area. Digitization of the broadcast sector will affect our programming format and therefore, practitioners in that area are supposed to be well groomed to be able to face the challenges it will pose in the course of plying their day to day activities.

We further recommend that producers of broadcasting contents should invest on broadcasting hard ware such as purchasing of the new digital equipment as in camera, editing machine etc. The government should also step up to ensure that the digitization of the broadcast industry in Nigeria is made a reality. The implication is that government has great role to play in the realization of this dream. Government can come in to subsidize the cost of procuring the equipment, and in the training of manpower to man this new digital technology.

Digital broadcasting, nevertheless, throws up a number of issues that we believe should not be overlooked as we must be considering models for national broadcast management that will suit Nigeria. For instance, digitization will impact on audience behaviour, encourage more restlessness and recourse to the remote controller to "surf" channels. Another issue that may arise from digitization as we observed in the course of this study is that there would be more channels than contents. This in turn, would lead to an increase in content recycling. So, to avoid this situation, the NBC and other regulatory agencies should be strengthened and active in the discharge of their duty by the government. Concerning broadcast management models in Nigeria, it should be noted that rapid advances in technologies, which result in frequent replacement of broadcast systems, call for a constant review to ascertain if current broadcast management models are still relevant in the broadcast markets and also meet the shifting needs and expectations of communities, states and the nation at large. It should be noted as well that the application of digital technology demands comprehensive planning, adequate funding, improved know-how, infrastructural development and aggressive content production. Therefore, Nigeria should anticipate and tackle these challenges if she is to transit to digital broadcasting by or before the ITU deadline of 2015. The application of this digital technology in Nigeria will be evident, if the government and broadcasters ensure that only quality digital ready broadcast equipment are imported into the country. However, where there are restrictions or high tariffs, governments should grant immediate relief, to make the digitization application process less cumbersome and pain free for operators in the industry (Radio house, 2010, p. 14- 15).

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