Reported by Weng Patrick Atokor l Journalist at Weng Global
Creativity Broadcasting Innovation News (CBI News) has officially commenced live television broadcasting on StarTimes Channel 285 and Nigeria’s Digital Switchover (DSO) Free TV platform, marking a new development in the country’s broadcasting industry.
The launch gives the Nigerian news organisation access to viewers through both pay-TV and free-to-air television platforms, as it seeks to expand the availability of news content to households across the country.
The development was announced during a media parley and facility tour in Lagos on Friday, November 13, 2026, where executives of the organisation outlined its broadcasting ambitions, digital strategy and plans to build a sustainable media business.
The launch also reflects CBI News’ ambition to combine traditional television broadcasting with digital media services, particularly as competition for audiences increasingly extends beyond conventional television platforms.
CBI News Targets Wider Television Audience
The availability of CBI News on StarTimes Channel 285 and the DSO Free TV platform is expected to broaden the organisation’s potential audience.
While StarTimes provides access through its subscription television service, the Free TV platform offers another route for households that may not have satellite television equipment.
Speaking at the Lagos event, Chris Ibe, Executive Vice Chairman of Baywood Group, the parent company of CBI News, said the organisation wanted to make its broadcasting services accessible to a wider section of the population.
Ibe explained that the decision to launch on the two platforms was driven by a commitment to avoid limiting the organisation’s services to audiences who can afford subscription-based television.
He described the organisation’s approach as an effort to make television broadcasting more inclusive and accessible.
According to him, households with compatible standard television antennas can access the Free TV service without necessarily purchasing satellite dishes.
The arrangement could provide an additional viewing option for households seeking access to news and other television content without the cost associated with satellite television subscriptions.
Eleven Years of Development Behind the Launch
The commencement of broadcasting follows approximately 11 years of infrastructure development and strategic preparation by Baywood Group.
Ibe said the organisation had spent more than a decade building the media venture before reaching its current broadcasting stage.
He explained that the project had been financed internally during the development period, with support from Baywood Group serving as its financial backing.
The investment reflects the organisation’s attempt to establish the infrastructure required to operate a television and digital media business.
However, the transition into live broadcasting also introduces the challenge of turning that investment into a sustainable commercial operation.
Ibe acknowledged the importance of revenue generation, describing monetisation as a central part of the organisation’s long-term business strategy.
His comments indicate that CBI News intends to operate not only as a traditional news broadcaster but also as a commercially sustainable media organisation.
CBI News Plans Monetisation Platform for African Content Creators
Beyond its television operations, CBI News has announced plans to introduce a dedicated digital monetisation application aimed at Nigerian content creators.
According to Ibe, the application is expected to launch within a month of the November 13 announcement.
The proposed platform is intended to provide content creators with opportunities to earn revenue from their work.
The announcement comes amid continuing discussions about the ability of African creators to generate sustainable income through international digital platforms.
Many Nigerian and African creators depend on global social media and video-sharing services to distribute their work, build audiences and attract advertising revenue.
However, differences in monetisation eligibility, payment arrangements and platform policies have remained important concerns for creators operating in different markets.
CBI’s proposed application is intended to address some of these challenges by creating another avenue for content distribution and revenue generation.
Although the company has announced its plans, details concerning the application’s payment structure, eligibility requirements, revenue-sharing arrangements and operational features were not fully disclosed at the launch event.
Its eventual impact will therefore depend on the platform’s ability to attract creators, build an audience and establish a reliable monetisation system.
CBI Prime Streaming Service Also in Development
CBI News is also preparing to expand into subscription and digital streaming services through a proposed Over-The-Top (OTT) platform known as CBI Prime.
The service is expected to combine live television channels with on-demand content and opportunities for user-generated content monetisation.
OTT platforms deliver video and other digital media services through internet connections rather than relying exclusively on conventional television broadcasting infrastructure.
The model has become increasingly important in the global entertainment and media industry as audiences consume more content through smartphones, computers and internet-connected television devices.
For CBI, the proposed CBI Prime service could provide an additional distribution channel beyond StarTimes and Free TV.
It could also allow the organisation to develop a broader digital content business involving live programming, recorded productions and independent creators.
Ibe said the organisation intended to introduce the service before the end of 2026.
However, specific information about subscription prices, content availability, geographical coverage and the official launch date had not been announced at the time of the November 13 event.
CBI Says It Has Met Digital Switchover Requirements Ahead of 2028 Deadline
Another significant aspect of the launch concerns Nigeria’s transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television broadcasting.
Gbenga Adebija, Managing Director of CBI Digital Media Limited, the company identified as the owner of CBI News, said the station had implemented digital switchover requirements ahead of the December 2028 deadline set by the National Broadcasting Commission.
Adebija described the organisation as fully compliant and said it had completed the relevant transition ahead of the deadline.
Digital switchover involves replacing traditional analogue television transmission with digital broadcasting technology.
The transition is intended to improve the efficiency of broadcasting infrastructure and support the delivery of television services through digital transmission systems.
For broadcasters, adapting to digital broadcasting requirements is important as Nigeria continues its efforts to modernise the country’s television industry.
CBI’s announcement suggests that the organisation has positioned its broadcasting operations around the country’s digital television transition.
However, the wider implementation of digital broadcasting across Nigeria remains an important issue for the industry, particularly in relation to infrastructure, signal coverage, affordability and access to compatible receiving equipment.
AI Guidelines Introduced to Address Misinformation
CBI News has also disclosed that it operates an artificial intelligence usage guideline intended to prevent the misuse of AI-generated material, particularly deepfakes and misinformation.
The policy is significant as artificial intelligence tools increasingly influence how news organisations gather, produce, edit and distribute information.
Although AI can support newsroom activities, its misuse can create serious challenges involving fabricated images, manipulated videos, false statements and misleading information.
For news organisations, maintaining editorial credibility requires clear standards for verifying information and ensuring that technology does not undermine journalistic accuracy.
CBI’s decision to introduce an AI usage guideline indicates that the organisation recognises the editorial risks associated with emerging technologies.
The effectiveness of the policy will ultimately depend on how it is implemented, the verification procedures adopted by journalists and the organisation’s commitment to maintaining editorial accountability.
Why the CBI News Launch Matters for Nigeria’s Media Industry
The launch of CBI News on StarTimes and the Free TV platform comes at a time when traditional broadcasting and digital media are increasingly converging.
Television remains an important source of information for millions of households, while smartphones and internet-based platforms continue to reshape how audiences access news.
By combining conventional broadcasting with plans for digital streaming and creator monetisation, CBI News is attempting to establish a presence across multiple areas of the media industry.
Its Free TV availability is particularly relevant to households that may not have access to subscription television services.
For Nigeria’s broadcasting industry, the development also highlights the continuing importance of competition, distribution and accessibility.
A wider range of broadcasting organisations can potentially create more opportunities for media professionals, journalists, producers and other creative workers.
However, the success of a new television station cannot be measured by its launch alone.
Audience trust, journalistic independence, programme quality, nationwide accessibility and financial sustainability will be important factors in determining its long-term position.
The proposed monetisation application and CBI Prime streaming service will also face competition from established digital platforms that already attract large audiences across Africa.
Consequently, CBI News will need to demonstrate that its services offer practical value to viewers and content creators.
What Happens Next?
Following its television launch, attention will turn to CBI News’ expansion plans and the implementation of its digital strategy.
The organisation has indicated that its next major developments include:
- The introduction of its content creator monetisation application within a month of the November 13 announcement.
- The planned launch of CBI Prime before the end of 2026.
- Further information about its broadcasting and digital distribution arrangements.
- Continued development of its television and digital media operations.
These plans represent the next phase of the organisation’s attempt to build an integrated media business.
The extent to which CBI News can translate its broadcasting launch into sustained audience growth and commercial success will become clearer as the announced services are introduced.
For now, its arrival on StarTimes Channel 285 and the DSO Free TV platform marks its entry into live television broadcasting, giving Nigerian viewers another option for accessing news and information.
Weng Global – Stories beyond borders
Sources
1. Punch Newspapers – CBI News debuts on StarTimes, Free TV platforms (November 14, 2026).
