CEM REPORT | The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has revoked the broadcast licences of 52 private and state owned media houses in the country and has directed them to shut down operations within 24 hours.
Their license was revoked as a result of failure to renew their broadcast licences amounting to N2.66 billion.
According to the Director-General of the NBC, Balarabe Ilelah, while speaking to journalists at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja, noted that some of the affected stations had not renewed their licences since 2015.
The DG explained that a two-week waiver was granted to defaulting media houses in May via a publication, noting that on expiration, they risked the revocation of their broadcast licences.
Additional, NBC said upon expiration some of the defaulters had failed to renew their license which was against the NBC act.
“some licensees are yet to pay their outstanding debts, in contravention of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, particularly section 10(a) of the third schedule of the Act.
“Therefore, after due consideration, NBC hereby announces the revocation of the licenses of the…stations and gives them 24 hours to shut down their operations. Our offices nationwide are hereby directed to collaborate with security agencies to ensure immediate compliance.”
The broadcast regulator said the continued operation of the “debtor stations is illegal and constitutes a threat to national security”.
The revoke which the commission reveals is just the first batch, cut across television and radio tops names in the broadcast media industry.
“This is the first batch, there are those who have not renewed their licence since 2015, 2016 and 2017. We are asking them to come and pay their licence fees.”
Furthermore, the commission while calling on other broadcast stations yet to renew their licences for the present duration to do so within the next 30 days or risk punishment, also called on online television to register.
“The Commission also calls on all IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) and all other broadcast stations that are streaming online to register with the Commission to avoid disconnection,” it added.
“Broadcasters should note that having a DTT or FM license does not warrant a broadcaster to stream online; they are two different licences.”
The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) says it will work with stakeholders to resolve the matter.
Below is the list of affected stations:
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Abuja
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Lagos
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Yenagoa
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Port Harcourt
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd) FM Jos
- Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communication Ltd) Benin
- AIT/Ray Power FM (DAAR Communication ltd) Network
- Greetings FM (Greetings Media Ltd)
- FM Network Tao FM (Ovidi Communications Ltd)
- FM Okene, Zuma FM (Zuma FM Ltd)
- FM Suleja Crowther FM (Crowther Communications Ltd) FM Abuja
- We FM (Kings Broadcasting Ltd)
- FM Benin Linksman International Ltd
- Keffi Bomay Broadcasting Services Ltd Abuja
- MITV (Murhi International Group Ltd) Ibadan
- Classic FM (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Port-Harcourt
- Classic FM (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Lagos
- Classic TV (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd) Lagos
- Beat FM (Megalectrics LTD) Lagos
- Cooper Communications Ltd Lagos
- Splash FM (West Midlands Ltd) Ibadan
- Osun State Broadcasting Corporation
- Rock City FM (Boot Communications Ltd) Abeokuta
- Family FM (Kalaks Investments Nig. Ltd) Ilugun
- Space FM (Creazioni Nig. Ltd) Ibadan
- Radio Jeremi (Radio Jeremi Itd) Effurun
- Breeze FM (Bays Water Ltd) Akure
- Vibes FM (Vibes Communication Ltd) Benin
- Family Love FM (Multimesh Broadcasting Co. Ltd) Port-Harcourt
- Wave FM (South Atlantic Media Ltd)
- Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation
- Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation
- Niger State Broadcasting Corporation
- Gombe State Broadcasting Corporation
- Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation
- Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation
- Ondo State Broadcasting Corporation
- Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation
- Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation
- Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation
- Imo State Broadcasting Corporation
- Anambra State Broadcasting Corporation
- Borno State Broadcasting Corporation
- Yobe State Broadcasting Corporation
- Sokoto State Broadcasting Corporation
- Zamfara State Broadcasting Corporation
- Kebbi State Broadcasting Corporation
- Jigawa State Broadcasting Corporation
- Kaduna State Broadcasting Corporation
- Katsina State Broadcasting Corporation
- Lagos DSB
- Silverbird TV (Silverbird Communications Co. Ltd)
