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NBC May Shut Down Hundreds of Radio, TV Stations over N4.3Bn Debt

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National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) may be compelled to shut down hundreds of radio and television stations across the country for their indebtedness to the tune of N4.3billion to the commission , according to Is’haq Modibo Kawu, director general, NBC.

 

Kawu explained that the broadcast stations indebted to the commission comprised both television and radio stations, adding that part of their indebtedness was in the failures to renew their licences with the commission over the years.

 

The stations well over 200 have till September 15 to come up with the payment plans or risk the commission’s big hammer.

 

The NBC boss who addressed journalists at the sidelines of the stakeholders meeting with licensees of the commission wax worriedly at the recalcitrant attitude of the licensees towards the debts and warned that it was no longer business as usual.

Is’haq Modibo Kawu, director general, NBC.

“The only action the NBC has taken regarding outstanding licence fees was to give all stations owing the commission a deadline to pay or be shut down, the deadline has since passed but the commission has not gone ahead to shut down any station yet.” Kawu stated.

 

This refusal to meet licensing obligations, has been a persistent pattern of behaviour of NBC licensees.

 

He also spoke of the “strides in the digitization process, especially with the renewed commitment by the present administration, to find the resources for a rapid conclusion of the DSO, that give us tremendous levels of optimism at the NBC”

 

“As Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission, I will have to own up to the fact that there was a historic pattern of relationship between regulator and licensee, which was based upon a notion of “nurturing” their stations.

 

This was at the beginning of a deregulated broadcasting industry, when there were just a few private operators in the business. So a notion emerged, that they should be “nurtured” and not allowed to go down under. So a rigorous regime of license fee payment, was not enforced. That approach might have had an altruistic motive, but was immediately seen as a point of weakness by licensees, who then began to proffer all manner of excuses, as to why they cannot pay their obligatory license fees, either on time, or in many cases, at all. It is this pattern of what might literally be called an ‘incestuous relationship’ that has led us to where we are today: licensees refusing to pay, and an indebtedness reaching over N4Billion, while the Commission is unable to carry out its functions.”

 

 


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Broadcasting

How to Beat DStv Price Increase with ‘Price Lock’ Feature

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In today’s fast-paced world, where every penny counts, finding ways to save on essential services is more important than ever. And as part of its commitment to customer satisfaction, DStv has reiterated its “Price Lock” feature.

DStv Price lock

This is in response to the upcoming tariff increase, which the company understands may impose some financial strain on its valued customers.

What exactly does the “Price Lock” feature entail? The “Price Lock” feature offers customers the opportunity to retain their subscriptions at the current rate for 12 months.

To use the “Price Lock” feature, customers simply need to renew their subscriptions before the due date each month, ensuring uninterrupted access to their favourite DStv content at the current rate for the next 12 months.

But here’s the catch: only customers with an active subscription by the 30th of April qualify for this offer, when the tariff adjustment comes into effect.

Make sure you don’t miss the price lock offer! Simply download the MyDStv or MyGOtv app or dial *288# to subscribe, upgrade, or set up Auto-Renewal.


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OJI Demands Ban on Netflix, TikTok, Others over Same-Sex Content

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Civil Society Organisation (CSO) under the auspices of Open Justice Initiative (OJI), has threatened to drag the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to court if it fails to ban Netflix, TikTok, and others over the alleged broadcast of offensive same-sex content on Nigeria’s airwaves.

OJI Demands Ban on Netflix, TikTok, Others over Same-Sex Content

The CSO, also urged NBC to ban other social media platforms, including X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, etc with regard to the subject matter.

Donald Ayibiowu, lawyer and programme officer of OJI, gave the warning in a letter addressed to Mr. Charles Ebuebu, director-general of the NBC.

The certified true copy of the letter titled: “Need to ban and bar the continuous broadcast of offensive same-sex contents on Nigeria’s airwaves by Netflix and other specialised broadcast outlets”, made available to newsmen in Abuja, was received by the Commission on April 23, 2024.

The letter said, “We write to draw the esteem attention of your commission to some obnoxious and repugnant same-sex contents being aired or transmitted by some broadcast outfits operating within the Nigeria broadcast space, which platforms includes Netflix and some social media entities.

“These abhorrent contents being campaigned about borders on the promotion of amorous relationships between persons of same sex on the said platforms.

“We received complaints on this topic from well-meaning Nigerians and religious organisations and further discovered that the broadcast contents/materials on these platforms are laced with embedded scenes/episodes where same-sex relationships are practically being propagated.

“We also conducted research on some social media platforms like TikTok, Twitter (X), Facebook (Meta), etc with regards to this subject, and found same hazardous and illegal same-sex content being promoted and transmitted.

“It is clear that there is an agenda to surreptitiously lure the unsuspecting young population of this country to this satanic habit/lifestyle of same-sex practice in Nigeria by subtly introducing same through entertainment and showbiz industry, albeit through the airwaves.

“It is now commonplace to see some of these illegal contents being conveyed on social media and specialised platforms in Nigeria.

“We wish to point out that these contents are clearly being aired or transmitted in contravention of our extant laws such as Sections 4(2) and 5(2} of the Same-Sex Mariage (Prohibition) Act, 2013,” he said.

The lawyer said the act being subtly propagated and promoted via the mediums was targeted at destroying the moral fibre and rectitude, erode, dislodging and polluting the society with unacceptable inhuman values.

He said it was also to erode the age-long cultural practices and sacred religious belief system of male and female gender only as created by God Almighty.

Ayibiowu said, that if the commission failed to block, restrict or scrap the same-sex promotional material/contents from Nigeria airwaves, “we shall proceed to seek further redress in pursuit of our goal of saner Nigeria airwaves”.

 

 


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FCCPC to Review Multichoice’s Tariff Hike

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Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has promised to review recent price increases in MultiChoice cable subscriptions to ensure subscribers in Nigeria get value for their money.

FCCPC to Review Multichoice’s Tariff Hike

Recall that the leading pay TV operator, recently announced increase in the subscriptions for its DStv and GOtv packages by at least 25 per cent.

Multichoice announced the increase in tarrifs in a message sent to subscribers on Wednesday and said that the new regime will be effective May 1.

The company stated this in the statement signed by John Ugbe, chief executive officer was titled, ‘Price Adjustment on DStv and GOtv Packages.’

The pay-TV firm cited the rise in the cost of business operations as the rationale behind the price increase.

The company said, “We understand the impact this change may have on you – our valued customer, but the rise in the cost of business operations, has led us to make this difficult decision.

“It remains our mission to provide the best entertainment and viewing experience to you and are committed to continue to deliver high-quality content and unparalleled service. So, from Wednesday, 1 May 2024, the price adjustment will take effect.”

But Adamu Abdullahi, acting chief executive officer, FCCPC, in a chat with Channels Television on its Dateline Abuja programme on Thursday, provided an update on the summons issued to the owner of a Chinese store in Abuja accused of discriminatory and sharp practices.

He also commented on the adherence to the order given to the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company, stating that sanctions are imminent for all verified infractions identified by the agency.

 


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