FDTV — Self-Hosted Streaming Platform with Coin-Based Payments

The brief

A Nigerian media operator wanted to launch a multi-channel TV and radio platform — but subscription fatigue was real, and credit card penetration low. The model had to be pay-as-you-go: buy coins, watch as much or as little as you want.

What we built

• Multi-channel streaming — TV channels, radio stations, and on-demand content under one player.
• Coin-based payments — local payment rails top up a coin balance; coins debit per minute of viewing, with no recurring billing.
• Progressive Web App — installable on Android and iOS without an app store, with offline metadata and Media Session API integration so it behaves like a native player.
• Live ticker & programming guide — real-time news ticker and a full electronic programme guide.
• Operator console — channel uploads, schedule management, ad inserts, and analytics.

How we built it

Streams are served via HLS with adaptive bitrate switching — the player drops to lower quality automatically on a 3G connection without buffering. Service workers cache the shell so the app loads instantly after first visit, even on a flaky network.

Payments hit a Nigerian processor that converts cash, card, or bank transfer into platform coins. Ledgering is double-entry, every coin debit is auditable.

Outcome

Live at fdtv.ng, proving that an OTT-style platform built locally can compete on quality with international entrants — while pricing in a way that actually fits the market.