Effects of Weather Conditions on Satellite Television Cable Network Reception Quality in Warri Metropolis, Delta State, Nigeria

The study examined the effects of weather conditions on satellite television cable network reception quality. The ex-post facto research design was used. The primary data were generated through personal observation/monitoring of Television sets that were connected to the three prominent networks (MYTV, DSTV, and HITV) in Warri. Rainfall stations were established in each of the sample areas and were used to collect rainfall amount between the months of May and August, being rainy season in the location. Additionally, wind speed, humidity, temperature and rainfall data were collected from the archives of the Nigerian Meteorological Agencies office in Warri for 20 years. A total of fifteen (15) TV sets and fifteen modems of MYTV, DSTV and HITV satellite-cable network were utilized for this study. Results showed that there is variation in the trends of climate parameters in Warri. There is variability in the rainfall, relative humidity as well as the wind speed trends in Warri from 1991-2011. The variations in these climate attributes have effects on the durability and functionalities of satellite cable network in the area. The reception quality for MYTV reduced from 69.8% on days without rainfall to 15.4% on rainy days during the study period, while DSTV signal quality reception was also reduced by rainfall and weather effect to 20.4% on rainy days from 85.6% mean on days without rainfall. HITV signal quality reception of 33.4% on days without rainfall was reduced to 7.2% by the effect of rainfall. Rainfall impairs signal quality. Further, the result revealed that there is a significant variation in cable network reception qualities of MYTV, DSTV and HITV. This is evident from the calculated F-value of 1028.136 which was greater than the critical table-value of 19.49 at 0.05 significant level. The r value shows a correlation of 0.989 between rainfall and MYTV reception quality. However, the R² value of 0.977 shows that 97.7% variation in the quality of signal reception from MYTV is explained by other weather parameters. The r value shows a correlation of 0.994 between wind speed and DSTV reception quality. However, the R² value of 0.988 shows that the quality of the signal reception from DSTV is explained by 98.8% dependency on weather parameters. Similarly, the r value shows a correlation of 0.970 rainfall and HITV reception quality. However, the R² value of 0.942 shows that the quality of the signal reception from MYTV is explained by 94.2% dependency on weather parameters. The policy implications of the findings of this study are that adequate and well-implemented weather monitoring with remote sensing/satellite-based platforms should be captured in the national laws of Nigeria.