Home 9 Media law and reforms 9 Zambia rolling out dual casting; final switchover to digital in six months

Zambia rolling out dual casting; final switchover to digital in six months

5 Apr, 2016
Zambia will signal dual casting of both the analogue and digital signal for a period of six months before the final switch over to the digital signal.

According to Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services in Zambia, Chishimba Kambwili, the country successfully switched to digital television broadcasting on 17th June 2015, which was the global digital migration deadline.

Minister Kambwili has announced that the installation and testing phase of the digital migration process, referred to as Phase One, is completed and will be officially launched on 22nd June 2015. Kambwili confirmed that as of 17th June all areas from Livingstone to Chililabombwe would begin to receive the digital television signal.

According to Kambwili, the country will signal dual casting of both the analogue and digital signal for a period of six months before the final switch over to the digital signal. The minister further announced that other phases include upgrades to the national broadcaster, transmitters and the establishment of provincial TV stations.

Meanwhile, the country’s national broadcaster, Zambia National Broadcasting Cooperation (ZNBC), has been selected as an interim carrier of carriers owing to the limited available time, contrary to the provision in the national Digital Migration Policy. The Digital Migration Policy made provision for the setup of both private and public carriers.

The minister further noted that the ZNBC has already paid the license fee of K928,000 (USD124) to the Zambia Information and Communication Authority (ZICTA) and will not charge the private television stations for the first six months, after which carrier fees will be introduced.

In terms of the digital migration process, several commentators have raised concerns on the low level of awareness on the digital migration switch in Zambia. MISA Zambia in particular has expressed its concerns about the potential consequences to access to vital information.

About MISA

The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) was founded in 1992. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media.

Share this

Related news

MISA congratulates Zambian media, government on media regulation

MISA congratulates Zambian media, government on media regulation

 The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Regional Office welcomes the launch of the Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia (MSCZ), which took place on 25 June 2025 in Lusaka, Zambia. We are particularly grateful that the Minister of Information and Media...

MSCZ launches

MSCZ launches

The Media Self-Regulation Council of Zambia (MSCZ) today officially launched its Secretariat in Lusaka, marking a significant step forward in promoting ethical journalism, press freedom and accountability in the media sector. MISA Zambia Chairperson Lorraine...

MISA Regional Annual Report – Now Available!

MISA Regional Annual Report – Now Available!

Thanks to the number of elections worldwide, 2024 was unofficially declared the year of democracy. The year was dominated by elections across the region, with at least four countries — Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, and South Africa — heading to the polls. There was...