Silver Lake Television (SLTV) will offer Nigerians an alternative satellite pay television service, the Federal Government has said, following the unveiling of the new-entrant broadcaster. 

SLTV was launched Thursday at an event held at the Shehu Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja. 

The establishment of SLTV aligns with the hopes of Nigerians to “reap from the bountiful harvest awaiting investors in the Nigerian economy,” George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation said at the launch.

SLTV to address ‘growing demand’

Akume, represented by Prof. Babatunde Bernard, Senior Special Assistant (Technical), underscored the significance of SLTV in addressing the growing demand for alternative satellite TV services in Nigeria. 

He commended the dedication of SLTV operators, Metrodigital Limited, in providing Nigerian subscribers with high-quality service and affordability.

Dr. Ifeanyi Nwafor, Managing Director of Metrodigital Limited, who highlighted the challenges faced by the pay TV industry in Nigeria, noted that policies and legal frameworks have promoted monopoly. 

“In recent times, Nigerians have been yearning for alternatives to Satellite PayTV that can serve as an alternative to the existing ones,” according to Nwafor, who expressed satisfaction that in the past few years, the Federal Government “took the bull by the horns and addressed some of these underlying problems.” 

SLTV would offer packages starting from N2,500, hosting over 55 stations to cater to diverse consumer preferences, according to the company’s Managing Director.

Meanwhile, Dr. Charles Ebuebu, Director General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), disclosed the broadcasting industry’s regulator’s consideration of calls for the introduction of pay-per-view options for Nigerian pay satellite television subscribers. 

The NBC would renegotiate existing contracts with content providers to accommodate these demands and ensure fair pricing for consumers, Ebuebu said.

Furthermore, Ebuebu addressed concerns about overpricing of content, acknowledging the impact of the general economic situation in Nigeria on all sectors, including broadcasting.

NBC is committed to creating a competitive broadcasting ecosystem where consumers have the freedom to choose, and market forces determine prices, thus preventing exploitation, the broadcasting industry regulator said.