Broadcasting
NCC, NCS Sign MoU to Foster Relationship, Fight Piracy
As part of efforts to strengthen existing relationship with its stakeholders, the Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS).
The MOU, with a three year renewable term, is aimed at solidifying existing relationship, redefining common grounds for collaboration in the fight against piracy and developing capacity for Officers of the NCS manning the borders across the country.
Speaking at the event held at the Custom Head Office, Abuja, Mr. Afam Ezekude, Director-General Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC), expressed optimism that the MoU will put in place measures that will check incidences of piracy at all entry points of the country.
The DG noted that it was imperative to formalise the relationship between the two organisations as against the existing loose arrangement, adding that it is also aimed at blocking all possible entry points for pirated works.
Appreciating the efforts of the NCS over the years, he said a total of 28 Containers containing several units of pirated Copyright protected works were seized by the collaborative efforts of the NCS.
Mr. Ezekude, while warning pirates and their accomplices to desist from the heinous crime, assured that NCC is now more than ever set to intercept copyright pirated goods and prosecute pirates as the Commission is looking forward to a more robust relationship with NCS.
In his remark, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), Comptroller-General of Customs, noted that the event marks the beginning of a solid cooperation between both organisations and assured that the NCS will continue to support the Commission in executing its mandate.
While also expressing optimism that the collaboration will further reduce the incidence of piracy across the country, the Comptroller-General laments that piracy negatively affects right owners, the economy of the country and deprive genuine investors of returns on investment.
He called on all to respect the Law and desist from all forms of criminality. “We can survive doing the right thing, we can survive aligning ourselves with the Laws of Nigeria” he stressed.
The High point of the event was the actual signing of the MoU by the Comptroller-General, NCS and DG, NCC. The event was attended by Management team from both Organisations.
Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has announced the postponement of its maiden annual Public Relations, Reputation, Ideas, Concepts and Excellence (PRICE) Awards and Prizes to January 25, 2026.
NIPR
The event, earlier scheduled for December 7, 2025, was deferred to accommodate stakeholders whose observance of Christmas festivities had commenced earlier than expected.
Chairman of the Organising Committee, Mr. Israel Opayemi, urged stakeholders to note the new date and prepare to participate in the ceremony.
He said the awards would motivate professionals, practitioners and scholars, while enhancing Nigeria’s global competitiveness in the public relations ecosystem and strengthening brand equity for all stakeholders.
Opayemi reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to delivering a best-in-class award administration and ceremony, describing the PRICE Awards as a credible and enduring platform to identify, celebrate and elevate outstanding individuals, campaigns and organisations shaping the public relations landscape across sectors.
The development of the PRICE Awards peaked in September 2025 when the NIPR President and Chairman, Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, inaugurated a 12-man committee to organise the maiden edition. The inauguration followed the Council’s adoption of the report of a technical team tasked with establishing the awards.
Netflix has announced a landmark agreement to acquire Warner Bros. and HBO Max in a transaction valued at $82.7 billion, a move analysts say will reshape the global entertainment industry.
Netflix
The deal, which includes Warner Bros.’ film and television studios, HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Games, was unanimously approved by the boards of both companies. Under the terms, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) shareholders will receive $23.25 in cash and $4.50 in Netflix shares for each WBD share.
Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos described the acquisition as “a defining moment” for the streaming giant, noting that the company intends to maintain Warner Bros.’ current operations while expanding its production capacity.
“By combining Warner Bros.’ incredible library of shows and movies with Netflix’s culture-defining titles, we can give audiences more of what they love and help define the next century of storytelling,” Sarandos said.
The transaction is expected to close within 12 to 18 months, following the planned spin-off of WBD’s TV networks division, Discovery Global, in 2026. Netflix projects annual cost savings of $2–3 billion by the third year after completion and expects the deal to be accretive to earnings per share by year two.
Industry groups, including the Directors Guild of America and Cinema United, have raised concerns about the impact on movie theaters, while regulators are expected to scrutinize the deal over antitrust issues. Netflix has pledged to continue supporting theatrical releases, with Warner Bros.’ cinema commitments running through 2029.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav hailed the agreement, saying it “combines two of the greatest storytelling companies in the world to bring to even more people the entertainment they love.”
Observers note that the acquisition comes 15 years after former Time Warner chief Jeff Bewkes dismissed Netflix as “the Albanian army,” underscoring the dramatic shift in the entertainment landscape.
A major shake‑up rocks viewers and subscribers of DSTV/GOTV as many channels are set to shut down and be removed on January 1, 2026.
The trigger for the upcoming shut‑down is a breakdown in negotiations between the owners of multiple global channels and the pay‑TV operator.
As of December 2025, the deal between Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and DStv/GOtv has expired and the two parties have not reached a renewal agreement.
Without a new carriage/distribution agreement, the channels belonging to WBD risk being pulled off the DStv/GOtv line‑up.
This is the most significant content cutback the service has seen in years.
The affected channels are:
Discovery Channel
TLC
Cartoonito
Cartoon Network
CNN International
Food Network
The Travel Channel
TNT
Investigation Discovery
Real Time
HGTV
Discovery Family
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