Digital switch over: BON courts NBC for extension
…decries third party licensing
Following the failure of the failure of the Federal Government to meet its much-trumpeted digital switch over from analogue to digital template, which has elapsed since June 17, a critical operator in the sector, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria, BON, has appealed to the Nigerian Broadcasting Commission, the regular, for an extension of the date.
BON made the appeal during its 67th General Assembly and 16th Annual General Meeting (AGM), which took place at the Imo Trade and Investment Centre, Owerri, Imo state, South East Nigeria, recently.
The Chairman, Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria and Chairman Channels Media Group, Mr. John Momoh said at the meeting that it was important that the NBC and Digiteam hit the reset button on the planned digital switch over of the broadcast industry.
Momoh, said that the licensing of the third parties like, CCNL, STB manufacturers and Inview Technology has created a clog in the actualisation of the digital switch over.
According to him, it is Illogical to have a middleman between a content producer and the signal distributor; and therefore, urged the NBC to ensure that all technical and coordination activities of the existing DTT pay source are resolved, otherwise the digital switch over will not be actualised.
He underscored that there’s need to appeal to the Federal Government to show more interest in helping the media industry develop business and financing models that are sufficient in harnessing the massive value chain economy of the BON.
He, however, expressed confidence that the set agenda for his administration has made tremendous and significant progress over the last seven months.
On his part, the minister lauded BON for their contribution in developing the broadcast industry, while also calling for its support in the development of the country under President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
Among those also present at the meeting were, the Director General of Imo broadcasting Corporation, Mr. Ralph Afoaku and the Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, who was represented by the General Manager of NTA, Owerri, Gladys Igboanugo.
Tony Nwakaegho
