Beyond Digital Adoption: Mapping the Technological Transformation of State-Owned Television Broadcasting In Nigeria

The study examines selected state-owned television stations in Nasarawa, Plateau and Benue States to determine whether digital adoption has translated into deeper technological integration and transformation, the creative application and organisational implications of digital technologies, and the institutional, infrastructural and human-capital conditions that shape this transition. The study draws on Diffusion of Innovation Theory and the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework. The two theories allow the study to examine both how digital technologies are adopted and the organisational and environmental conditions that determine how deeply those technologies become integrated into broadcasting practice. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design. The population comprised broadcasting personnel in the selected state broadcast stations, using convenience sampling based on accessibility and willingness to participate. The study found a high level of digital technology adoption and integration across the selected state-owned television stations. The study also found that digital technologies were creatively applied to programme development, editing, promotion, faster production, improved content quality, easier distribution, and staff adaptation. The study further identified challenges of funding, electricity, training, internet connectivity, and maintenance as constraints. And concluded that Digital transformation in state-owned television broadcasting extends beyond the acquisition of digital equipment. It depends on how effectively technology becomes embedded in everyday production, content development, distribution, and professional practice, and recommended that State-owned television broadcasters should move beyond equipment acquisition towards sustained technological integration, continuous professional development in daily digital operations, by creating opportunities for staff to experiment with new digital formats and production approaches.