NBC Temporarily Withdraws Shutdown of AIT, Silverbird, 50 Others

The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has announced a temporary suspension of shutdown notice issued to African Independent Television, Silverbird Television and 50 other broadcast stations.

NBC had, on Friday last week, announced the revocation of operation licences of the 52 broadcast stations over their indebtedness to the Commission.

However, the Commission extended the 24-hour shutdown order by three days following interventions from some stakeholders.

NBC announced the temporary suspension via a statement by its director-general, Balarabe Shehu Ilelah.

Ilelah said the Commission had received positive responses from debtor licensees.

The statement read in part, “The National Broadcasting Commission on Friday, August 19, 2022, issued a shutdown notice to licensees that are indebted to the Commission.

“Following the ultimatum, the Commission received positive responses from the debtor Licensees, including big players in the broadcast industry.

“Sequel to a follow-up meeting held with executives of the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON), and other critical stakeholders in the industry, the Commission has decided to temporarily suspend the shutdown of the indebted Broadcast stations all over the country.

“We express our profound appreciation to the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, the affected licensees and Broadcast Stakeholders for their responses and interventions. We, specifically, thank DAAR Communications Ltd. and Silverbird TV/Rhythm FM for their responses.

“The Commission is not unaware of the difficulties this shutdown must have caused the operators and other stakeholders, but must state that the Commission will always operate within the National Broadcasting Commission Act, Cap. N11, Laws of the Federation, 2004.”