NigComSat announces NextTV Platform. Photo Credit: NigComSat

African Communications Satellite Company NigComSat has officially rolled out a new Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite TV platform in Nigeria called NextTV, which will be operated as a joint-venture with Nigus International and China Great Wall Industry Corporation (CGWIC).

The satellite TV service will carry 140 channels provided by a consortium of unnamed media companies. Nigus will be the lead partner in the joint venture company, providing investment capital, management, administration, license, marketing and content. NigComSat is providing a minimum of four transponders and will hold a 15 percent equity stake in NextTV.

CGWIC will hold a 10 percent equity stake, and provide the uplink equipment as well as access to back-up satellites to provide redundancies to NextTV. CGWIC was the prime contractor for both NigComSat-1 and its replacement satellite NigComSat-1R.

NigComSat launched a free DTH service in December 2017, offering more than 40 free news, sports, religious and entertainment channels across 54 countries in Africa.