Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM, among others, have had their broadcast licenses cancelled by the National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, for failing to renew them for a total of N2.66 billion.
According to a statement released by NBC on Friday, the action came after a list of stations that had not yet renewed their licenses was made public. The Commission said that they were given a two-week waiver in May to do this, after which they ran the possibility of having their broadcast licenses revoked.
However, NBC reported that three months after the article was published, “several licensees are yet to pay their outstanding obligations, in defiance of the National Broadcasting Commission Act CAP N11, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004, specifically section 10(a) 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 regulating body declared that the debtor stations’ continued operation “is illegal and poses a threat to national security.”
Other broadcast stations were urged to renew their licenses for the upcoming period within the next 30 days or face sanctions. NBC reports that the list of offenders provided on Friday is just the first batch; a second batch will be made public soon.
“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.
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 Itd
- 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
38: 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)