The National Broadcasting Commission, NBC, has revoked the broadcast licenses of Silverbird TV, AIT, Raypower FM, and Rhythm FM among others, over failure to renew their broadcast licenses amounting to N2.66 billion.
Director General of the NBC, Mallam Balarabe Shehu, made this known in a statement on Friday.
He also directed its state offices to liaise with security agencies to ensure the shut down of the operations of these stations within the next 24 hours.
According to the Commission, a two-week waiver was given to the stations in May to renew their licenses, failing which they risked the revocation of same.
But three months after the publication, NBC said, “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 NBC has also called on other broadcast stations yet to renew their licenses 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,” it added.
“Broadcasters should note that having a DTT or FM license does not warrant a broadcaster to stream online; they are two different licenses.”