NTA to begin experimental digital broadcast
Jonah Iboma
The Nigerian Television Authority is to commence experimental digital broadcasting this year in a number of major cities in the country as a prelude towards its full introduction in all its stations nationwide.
The move is part of steps to meet the global target for the shift of broadcasting from analogue to digital technology as set by the International Telecommunications Union, the global body in charge of broadcasting and communications.
The Director of Engineering, NTA, Dr. Edwards Amana, told our correspondent in Kaduna in an interview on Friday, that the new broadcast format had been planned for the third quarter of 2007.
He said the current non-digital storage formats such as VHS for the station’s films, would also be changed to digital model.
Amana said the adoption of digital broadcasting would, among other things, offer the national television network more channels for broadcasting in the country.
He said though digital broadcast would eventually lead to a phase-out of analogue broadcast, NTA would, however, not hurriedly do this, but would offer the services simultaneously.
He added that the National Broadcasting Commission would offer NTA alternative broadcast channels to enable the simultaneous broadcast of digital and analogue signals.
Amana explained that when digital broadcasting became available, NTA would be able to offer more channels to independent producers whom, he noted, were currently not having adequate airtime on NTA stations.
He said NTA could also dedicate a separate channel to the Nigerian home videos industry, otherwise called Nollywood, noting, however, that they needed to improve the quality of their products.
Meanwhile, the possession of requisite skills in Information Technology is now a major criteria for the recruitment of new workers in the NTA.
According to the director, the decision was taken in order for the national TV network to have the capacity to compete with its counterparts in the new information age.
Amana, who spoke with our correspondent during the workshop held by the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications on the adoption of digital broadcasting in Nigeria, said NTA was also embarking on internal IT training of its staff.
According to him, the NTA had signed an agreement with the Digital Bridge Institute, Abuja to train its workers in various areas of IT.
He said after the current exercise, those personnel that were found to be still deficient, would be asked to leave.
He said the need to recruit younger and more competent staff was imperative as many of NTA staff were currently too old to fit into the requirements of today’s broadcasting.
The Nigerian Television Authority is to commence experimental digital broadcasting this year in a number of major cities in the country as a prelude towards its full introduction in all its stations nationwide.
The move is part of steps to meet the global target for the shift of broadcasting from analogue to digital technology as set by the International Telecommunications Union, the global body in charge of broadcasting and communications.
The Director of Engineering, NTA, Dr. Edwards Amana, told our correspondent in Kaduna in an interview on Friday, that the new broadcast format had been planned for the third quarter of 2007.
He said the current non-digital storage formats such as VHS for the station’s films, would also be changed to digital model.
Amana said the adoption of digital broadcasting would, among other things, offer the national television network more channels for broadcasting in the country.
He said though digital broadcast would eventually lead to a phase-out of analogue broadcast, NTA would, however, not hurriedly do this, but would offer the services simultaneously.
He added that the National Broadcasting Commission would offer NTA alternative broadcast channels to enable the simultaneous broadcast of digital and analogue signals.
Amana explained that when digital broadcasting became available, NTA would be able to offer more channels to independent producers whom, he noted, were currently not having adequate airtime on NTA stations.
He said NTA could also dedicate a separate channel to the Nigerian home videos industry, otherwise called Nollywood, noting, however, that they needed to improve the quality of their products.
Meanwhile, the possession of requisite skills in Information Technology is now a major criteria for the recruitment of new workers in the NTA.
According to the director, the decision was taken in order for the national TV network to have the capacity to compete with its counterparts in the new information age.
Amana, who spoke with our correspondent during the workshop held by the Federal Ministry of Information and Communications on the adoption of digital broadcasting in Nigeria, said NTA was also embarking on internal IT training of its staff.
According to him, the NTA had signed an agreement with the Digital Bridge Institute, Abuja to train its workers in various areas of IT.
He said after the current exercise, those personnel that were found to be still deficient, would be asked to leave.
He said the need to recruit younger and more competent staff was imperative as many of NTA staff were currently too old to fit into the requirements of today’s broadcasting.
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