NBC Shuts Down ABS, AIT, Silverbird, 49 Other Broadcast Stations over N2.6bn Debt

The Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC), has announced the revocation of the broadcast license of the Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS) and 51 other broadcast outfits over indebtedness to the regulator.

The NBC said the stations are owing the Commission NGN2.6 billion since 2015. The Director General of the NBC, Mallam Balarabe Illelah told journalists on Friday in Abuja that there was no political undertone in the action.

Besides ABS, which is owned by the Anambra State Government, other affected big broadcast stations include the Africa Independent Television (AIT) , and its sister radio station, Raypower FM, as well as Silverbird Television.

Other government owned broadcast outfits affected include the Cross River State Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC), Gombe State Broadcasting Corporation (GBC), Lagos State Broadcasting Corporation, Osun State Broadcasting Corporation, Ogun State Broadcasting Corporation, Ondo State Broadcasting Corporation, Rivers State Broadcasting Corporation, Bayelsa State Broadcasting Corporation, Imo 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, Kogi State Broadcasting Corporation, Kwara State Broadcasting Corporation, Niger State Broadcasting Corporation, and Katsina State Broadcasting Corporation.

In the private sector, the affected stations are; Rhythm FM (Silverbird Communications Ltd), Greetings FM (Greetings Media Ltd), Tao FM (Ovidi Communications Ltd), Zuma FM (Zuma FM Ltd), Crowther FM (Crowther Communications Ltd), WE FM (Kings Broadcasting Ltd), Linksman International Ltd, Bomay Broadcasting Services Ltd, MITV (Murhi International Group Ltd), Classic FM (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd), Classic TV (Pinkt Nigeria Ltd), Beat FM (Megalectrics Ltd), Cooper Communications Ltd, Splash FM (West Midlands Ltd), Rock City FM (Boot Communications Ltd), Family FM (Kalaks Investments Nigeria Ltd), Space FM (Creazioni Nigeria Ltd), Radio Jeremi (Radio Jeremi Ltd), Wave FM (South Atlantic Media Itd), Breeze FM (Bays Water Ltd), Vibes FM (Vibes Communication ltd) and Family Love FM (Multimesh Broadcasting Co. Ltd).

Recalled that in May 2022, the list of the defaulters was published in national dailies, with Mallam Balarabe urging the affected outlets to renew their licenses within 24 hours to avert total disconnection.

The NBC boss also pleaded with all broadcast stations, who have not renewed their licenses for the current duration, to do so within the next 30 days to avoid sanctions.

“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,” Mallam Balarabe said, adding that; “Broadcasters should note that having a DTT or FM license does not warrant a broadcaster to stream online; they are two different licenses.”