Applause as NBC issues licence to new satellite broadcast operator

NBC DG, Emeka Mba

To further expand the choice of consumers of satellite broadcast services in the country, the National Broadcasting Commission on Wednesday issued an operating licence to a new operator, Chapters Digital Nigeria Limited.

At a ceremony to present the licence, Director General of NBC, Mr. Emeka Mba, said the licence was being issued at a critical time when Nigeria was in transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in accordance with the directive of the International Telecommunications Union.

Mba lauded the Nigerian company which had been operating in Britain in the past two decades for its confidence in the Nigerian economy and urged the company to pay attention to content which he described as the critical success factor for any broadcast organisation anywhere in the world.

The NBC boss said, “It is an exciting time for television broadcasting in Nigeria. We are happy for the faith you have expressed in the Nigerian broadcast industry especially at a time when we are going through transition.

“Sometimes some people get into this business without knowing the importance of content. For us, content is key. We will work with you to ensure that the right things are done. Our board is working to put together a competition regulation.”

Chapterdtv is the Direct-To-Home subsidiary of Chapters Nigeria Limited. The company had operated in the broadband segment of the British economy. In Nigeria, the company had operated as a content aggregation company.

In an interview with our correspondent, Chairman of the company, Dr. Godwin Bire’Akpobire, disclosed that the company would invest $100m in the next five years in technology and in development of local content.

He said, “Satellite broadcasting is a highly technical and capital intensive form of broadcasting, which is also meticulously regulated by NBC. With our more than two decades experience in creating niche television channels and programmes, we will create new frontiers for the broadcast industry in Nigeria.

“Chaptersdtv premium will offer subscribers 24 movie channels, six children channels, 12 entertainment channels, 21 lifestyle channels, 40 local languages, 13 religious channels, 29 sports channels, 21 news channels and 18 music channels.

“Chapterdtv’s service will also give subscribers the ability to shop on local and international shopping channels. This package includes an optional 40 HD video-on-demand/pay-per-view channels as well as 150 premium local and international channels.”

Managing Director of the company, Mr. Elvis Obaseki, said the unique points of the satellite broadcast operator include an interactive set-top boxes and smart cards which are configured to meet other needs in terms of enhancing subscribers viewing experience.