NBC commences issuing licence to free view TV channels

NIGERIAN broadcasting regulator, National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has commenced the process
of issuing licences for the provision of free view digital television content to be transmitted to Nigerian households.

  Director of Public Affairs, NBC, Mr. Awwalu Salihu, who made this known recently, said the regulatory agency, after careful assessment of the current television Market, observed serious gaps in the content available to serve the social and economic Needs of Nigerians.

   The Commission therefore invited prospective service providers to submit proposals for meeting the gaps as a preliminary step towards applying for licences. He explained that the commission categorised FTV digital television into several genres, including general Entertainment, kids, lifestyle, sports, movies/soaps/sitcoms, Music, documentaries and factual/news.

  According to him, the channels would strictly comply with the programming mandates of the commission as well as the Nigerian Broadcasting Code and other conditions to be set out in the licences to be granted to successful applicants.

   “In keeping with the commission's laid down procedure, successful applicants shall be invited to formally apply for licences to provide channel content in accordance with the National Broadcasting Act, the Nigeria Broadcasting Code and the Digital Terrestrial Television Regulations,” Salihu said.

  He affirmed that the proposals would be considered in a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory selection process measured against high quality domestic and international content channel appeal across a range of demographics.