What Is Digital TV? A Simple Guide for Kenyan Viewers

Remember the days of adjusting the “bunny ears” on top of the TV to get a clear picture? Those days are gone. Kenya switched off analogue TV broadcasting in 2015, and every TV station on the airwaves now broadcasts digitally. Here is what digital TV means and what you need to watch it.

Understanding Digital TV

Digital TV is the sending of TV pictures and sound as digital data, instead of the old analogue signal. The big advantage is that a digital signal uses much less space (bandwidth), so broadcasters can fit many more channels into the same frequencies. Other benefits include:

1. Clearer picture and sound, including high-definition (HD) channels.
2. Extra services such as an electronic programme guide, subtitles and different audio languages on some channels.
3. Better use of radio frequencies, which frees up space for services like mobile internet.

Kenya’s Digital Migration

Under an international agreement coordinated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), countries in Africa and Europe were expected to switch from analogue to digital TV by 17 June 2015. Kenya did it in phases: Nairobi and other major towns were switched over first, and the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) reported in June 2015 that 14 major towns had been switched by 2 February 2015, with the remaining remote sites to follow. The process was not smooth: in early 2015, NTV, Citizen and KTN went off air for several weeks after a court fight with the government over the switch-off.

Kenya uses the DVB-T2 standard for digital terrestrial (aerial) TV.

How to Receive a Digital Signal

You need one of the following:

• A digital TV with a built-in DVB-T2 tuner (sometimes called an integrated digital TV or iDTV). Just connect an aerial and scan for channels.
• A set-top box (decoder) if your TV is an older analogue model. The box picks up the digital signal and converts it for your TV.

Free-to-air channels such as KBC, Citizen, NTV and KTN do not need a monthly subscription. Pay-TV services sell their own decoders and charge a subscription.

Since 1 July 2025, the Communications Authority requires all DVB-T2 receivers (set-top boxes and TVs with built-in digital tuners) imported, sold or used in Kenya to be type approved under its updated minimum technical requirements. Buy from reputable dealers and ask whether the model is CA type approved.

After connecting your decoder or digital TV, run an automatic channel scan. If you move house or a new channel launches, scan again.

Related: How to Get Free Satellite TV in Kenya and How to Clear an E48-32 GoTV Error Code.

Sources and useful links

• Communications Authority of Kenya
• CA: Minimum specifications for DVB-T2 set-top boxes (PDF)
• ITU GE06 Symposium: Digital Migration, Kenya Experience (CA presentation, June 2015)
• Tech-ish: Kenya DVB-T2 TV rules go into effect on 1 July 2025
• Techweez: CA and the KTN, NTV, Citizen switch-off dispute (2015)