Delayed in Transition from Analogue to Digital Transmission and Its Implications on Broadcasting Production Output in Osun State, Southwest Nigeria

Abstract

Factors deterring the proposed transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Nigeria have been extensively addressed by a good number of studies. However, these previous studies have failed to explore the implications of this delayed on broadcasting production output from a comprehensive view. This study addresses this limitations by its investigating the implications of analogue broadcasting on programme quality, content, leadership/viewership and revenue generation from the sector by the government. Six media houses - Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, Nigeria Television Authority, Ile-Ife, Crown FM, Orisun FM, Living Spring FM and Odidere FM - were purposely selected across the three senatorial districts of Osun State, Southwest Nigeria. This study adopted the multi-stage and simple random technique to elicit information from 103 broadcast operators working with the selected media houses. Data were sourced through the administering of a well-structured questionnaire. The outcome variable is broadcasting station production output. The outcome variable indicators captured in this study are programme quality, programme content and programme coverage, leadership/viewership and revenue generation from the house media by the government. The key explanatory variables are shortage of trained broadcast personnel, lack of technical know-how, poor sensitisation, lack of monetary support from the government, environmental constraint (Electric Power Supply), poor training and retraining of broadcast operators, broadcast operators years of experience and type of media ownership. Percentage distribution and multiple linear regression statistics were applied to measure the factors hindering the transition to digitalised broadcasting, and the implications of the delayed in transition on production quality. Results showed that programme quality, content and coverage were significantly associated with analogue broadcasting (p<0.05). Also, the results of the study showed that analogue broadcasting had significant influence on leadership and viewership (p<0.05). The results further showed that analogue broadcasting and revenue generation were significantly related (p<0.05). The study concluded that programme quality, programme content, programme coverage, leadership/viewership and revenue generation were limited by the continua use of analogue equipment in broadcasting across broadcasting stations in Osun State, Southwest Nigeria. Keywords: Broadcasting, digital, analogue, transmission, delayed transition, implication.