Ugandans snub free to air decoders - survey

Jul 05, 2016

In June last year, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) switched off analogue TV to launch the digital migration process. This required everyone in Kampala and areas within a 60km radius to acquire a decoder to access TV signals.

According to the inaugural digital migration survey in the central region shows that only 8% of households with decoders are using the free to air decoders.

The survey that was carried out in the three districts of Kampala Wakiso and Mukono by Ipsos, a global market research body, indicates that for most of the free to air decoders were found in the peri-urban areas. This trend was attributed to the low income levels in these areas.

In June last year, Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) switched off analogue TV to launch the digital migration process. This required everyone in Kampala and areas within a 60km radius to acquire a decoder to access TV signals.

According to the findings, areas of Mukono registered a relatively higher distribution at 7%, followed by Wakiso at 6% and Kampala at 3%.

The major driving factors for the service provider one opts for according to the study is affordability, strong and clear signal and a variety of channels.

Provided by the Uganda Communication Commission, the free to air decoders go for about sh90,000. With this one does not have to pay the monthly subscription as is the case with Pay TV decoders.

However, as explained by Edson Musana of MK Muhumbu Importers, one of the authorised distributors of the free to air decoders, the quality of this service is still lacking.

"The signal strength is still poor, but it also does not have the favoured content such as soccer and Nigerian movie channels," Musana explained.

He, however, argued that people need to be sensitised on the long term implication of the having a free to air decoder, especially for the low income communities.

"You don't want to wake up one day with a decoder and yet you cannot pay for subscription," he said.

The study also established that out of the 1,219 households surveyed, almost 98% had decoders with Wakiso having 100% coverage.

Bukedde TV one of the Vision Group's platforms still soared as the most watched television in the region at 84% in Mukono, 75% in Wakiso and 62% in Kampala.

Even with the variety of channels as a result of digital migration, local channels still remain as the most popular channels in the surveyed households.

Though Ugandans have embraced digital migration, the study reveals that one of the major complaints is the costs involved. This is mainly on purchasing the decoders and the monthly subscription.

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