Broadcasting
Uduaghan, Mba Laud RAVE TV for Local Content in Digital Era
RAVE TV has received applause from the government and industry experts for refocusing the minds of Nigerians across board on societal issues through television programmes.
Speaking at the official commissioning of the TV studio on Friday, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Delta State Governor and Mr. Emeka Mba, director general, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), expressed delight that that RAVE TV’s entrance in the industry will add value in developing local content, quite important as Nigeria nears Digital Broadcasting switch over.
Uduaghan, said that, Delta State Government is delighted that Nigerians are embracing local content in the broadcasting terrain hence the muliplying gains will ensure youth restive and related crimes are contained to the barest minimum.
He attested that the famous platform ‘Inside Out’ anchored by Agatha Amata, is local content driven, as she has used the process to enhance attitudinal change, galvanised public opinion and kept many government agencies on their toes.
“We are proud of Agatha, who has proven that Nigerians can influence the government by giving the public platforms to express their views on how they are government.
“Apart from, Inside Out which is the parent programme that gives birth to RAVE TV, I see the programmes that come out from the interactive sessions are informative, educative and positioned to effect change in the society.
“One thing that affects every government is when their are misinformation about governance; that is why I singled out Inside Out as local content driven and on the right direction. Keep up the good work, because the youths will have a platform to express themselves and be heard, just as you have been doing”.
The Delta State Governor also encouraged other independent broadcast producers to come up with innovative programmes capable of impacting on the society by bridging the gap between the government and the governed.
On his part, Mr. Emeka Mba, director general, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), described RAVE TV’s commissioning as timely, particularly, now Nigeria is on the verge of migrating to digital broadcasting.
Mba, who was represented by Mrs. Dorothy Chuka Odum, said that the Studio’ programme schedule is enriching, adding that NBC craves for more of such programme to sustain and project the nation’s image in the digital broadcasting era.
“We are happy this is coming up when we are talking about digitalisation. We want more of content producers who are have local background and can produce for the international community to even enjoy our contents. We have very enriching contents that require innovative minds to harness them.
“We congratulate RAVE TV for this giant stride, because when the digital switchover is finally done they will benefit from the steps they have taken. We want to assure Nigerians that the digital era will be enjoyable, because we have seen enthusiastic content producers who will wet our appetite, unearthing those aspects of our programmes that seem to have been abandoned, ” the DG said.
On her part, Agatha Amata, chief executive officer, Inside Out limited, owners of RAVE TV, said that she was inspired to launch the Studio to contribute towards building a better Nigeria where the masses have a platform to voice their views about governance.
According to her, RAVE TV looks forward to a time it will broadcast, strictly, locally sourced programmes.
She said that restoration of morality in the society can be address through proper and quality contents that take cognizance of youths and teens upbringing serious.
“First, I want to appreciate God for the grace; Lagos and Delta State Government for giving me the platform to express myself. I believe that building Nigeria of our dream is possible. RAVE TV is inspired by this need to ensure Nigerians, especially the young people are given opportunity to speak to the government, their parents or the society in general about their needs and expectations.
“We are focused on addressing several issues that bug the society and local contents are very important in restoring morality among our teeming youths. We will focus on entertaining, informing and educating the young and the young at heart through rich content that will cut across the African borders,” she said.
RAVE TV, launched by Inside Out Media, will launch on Star times and ConSat Cable platforms, which target the mass market in Nigeria.
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are set to introduce a joint broadcast monitoring framework ahead of the 2027 general elections as part of efforts to curb unethical broadcasting and promote responsible election coverage.
Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC, who disclosed the plan recently, said the collaboration would strengthen election monitoring through the deployment of advanced technology and closer coordination between regulatory agencies.
According to him, the increasing influence of digital and online platforms has made it imperative for regulators to work together rather than operate independently.
“We have written to INEC, and we are going to have a joint monitoring outlook over the elections. Gone are the days when agencies work in silos. When we coordinate, we’re able to monitor more effectively,” Ebuebu said.
He explained that the partnership would enable both agencies to jointly identify and address violations of broadcasting regulations during the election period instead of handling such issues separately.
Beyond INEC, Ebuebu said the NBC is also partnering with other key regulators to strengthen oversight of election-related content across digital platforms.
According to him, the commission is finalising agreements with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) ahead of the polls to reinforce its monitoring capabilities.
“We are calling in other stakeholders to reinforce the election monitoring. We are signing agreements with the Nigerian Communications Commission and the National Information Technology Development Agency before the elections,” he said.
Ebuebu also revealed that the NBC is upgrading its monitoring infrastructure with artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tools to keep pace with the rapidly expanding media landscape.
He noted that the proliferation of online platforms has made traditional monitoring methods inadequate.
“With online platforms, there are thousands of them. You need more than staff; you need AI monitoring facilities,” he said.
The NBC chief added that the commission has significantly improved its monitoring capacity and can currently track nearly 50 broadcast channels from its monitoring centre in Abuja.
He said additional monitoring facilities would be established across the country in line with evolving broadcasting technologies.As part of preparations for the 2027 elections, Ebuebu announced plans for a sensitisation workshop in Ibadan that will bring together broadcasters, INEC officials, security agencies and other stakeholders.
He said the engagement had become necessary as political discussions surrounding elections continue to grow more heated, including on television, stressing the need for broadcasters to adhere to professional standards.
Ebuebu noted that the commission has had to issue several warnings to broadcast stations for violating the broadcasting code during election periods.
“We have had to write several of them because they simply forget what the code says,” he said
Mrs. Clementine Wamba, head, Digital Switch Over (DSO) at the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has stressed the need for broadcasting stations and practitioners nationwide to work towards meeting the 2028 global deadline for the switch over.
She made the call in her presentation titled, “DSO Big Picture: Free TV Audience Measurement and the Evolving Media Landscape”, at the 2026 NBC South West Summit held in Ibadan.
Wamba harped on the need for practitioners to adopt DSO in the transmission of news and other programmes in order to meet future challenges, stating that any country that fail to align with the DSO by 2028 will be shut out of practice.
This development, according to her, may result in job losses and other consequences that could hinder the growth of the industry in Nigeria, noting that Free TV is tailored towards the DSO, with provision for many channels in contrast to the age-long analogue system.
According to her, “The Digital Switch Over is a technological improvement on the age-long analogue style of broadcasting in the country. With the adoption of the DSO, practitioners will be in tune with global practice of broadcast journalism.
“Also, its benefits include efficient use of spectrum, changing of industry landscape, more access to national development programmes and better viewing experience.”
National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has said that Nigerians will no longer pay annual Digital Access Fees under the renewed Digital Switch Over (DSO) project.
Charles Ebuebu, director-general, NBC, disclosed this in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja,
Ebuebu said viewers only need to purchase an approved decoder and satellite dish which cost below N20,000 to enjoy free television permanently.
“Previously, users paid an annual digital access fee of about N1,500, described as an administrative charge.
“The new system removes that annual fee. It provides free access to free-to-air television channels without any payment.
“Premium channels will be introduced later. Viewers who want those additional channels will be able to access them through paid services.
“Nigerian content on free-to-air channels remains free to watch. Unlike Pay TV, this platform does not require monthly subscriptions for its basic service,” he said
Ebuebu said approved decoders for the FreeTV will cost less than N20,000 and authorised sales outlets will soon be announced.
He urged Nigerians to wait for official information on approved dealers for the DSO decoders, warning that unauthorised sellers are exploiting growing public demand.
He reiterated that people only need a free-to-air decoder, along with a satellite dish instead of the old antenna system to receive the DSO signal.
“Once the equipment is installed, viewers can access all available channels across the country without paying any subscription fees,” he stressed
The DG dismissed claims by some retailers that there are different categories of decoders sold at varying prices, stressing that such sellers are not authorised by the commission.
According to him, the NBC will soon publish the list of approved dealers, official prices, and locations where genuine decoder boxes and accessories can be purchased.
The NBC boss said the DSO project is designed not only to improve television broadcasting but also to stimulate economic growth by creating jobs, attracting investment, and opening up opportunities for businesses that support the broadcasting industry.
Ebuebu noted that content producers and broadcasters stand to benefit significantly from the nationwide reach of the DSO platform.
Unlike the previous system, where many stations had limited regional audiences, he said the new platform will make their channels available to viewers across Nigeria.
He added that the introduction of audience measurement technology will provide scientific and reliable data on television viewership.
Ebuebu added that audience measurement technology will give advertisers greater confidence in placing adverts and enable broadcasters to demonstrate the true size and reach of their audiences nationwide.
NDIC Begins Payment to Depositors of 46 Failed Microfinance Banks
Telcos Seek Clear Regulatory Framework on Airtime Credit Services
FG Says Rumours, Fear, Can Crash Banks
MTN Warns Customers against Fake Promo
EU Debunks Fake Compensation Scheme Targeting West African Bank Customers
NRC, Ponzi Scheme Collapses Resulting Loss of Billions of Naira
NASENI Moves to Digitize CCB’s 5m Assets Declaration and Operations
Lebara Nigeria Launches Lebara Play, Africa’s First Telecom-Owned Micro-Drama Platform
Tokenization, Blockchain Technology will Transform Financial Institutions – IMF
EFCC Busts NIS Visa Overstay Racket, Uncovers N700m in an Account
News3 days agoYEDC Warns Customers, Says 20 Percent Electricity Bonus is Scam
News3 days agoPFIPC Probe: Dollar, Pounds Accounts of Fake Agency Inactive – CBN
Broadcasting3 days agoNBC, INEC, Plan Joint Broadcast Monitoring Framework ahead of 2027 Elections
News3 days agoSTEM Africa Fest to Nurture Nigeria’s Future Innovators
E-Business3 days agoJumia Nigeria Expands Flexible Payment Options with Klump Partnership
E-Financial3 days agoNo Going Back on July 31 Deadline for Insurance Firms’ Recapitalisation – NAICOM
E-Business3 days agoLagos Unveils N10m Single-digit Loan Scheme for MSMEs
E-Financial3 days agoCourt Affirms FCCPC’s Power to Regulate Digital Lending