The National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has sounded the alarm over what it deems as potential violations of the National Broadcasting Code (NBC Code) in the acquisition and broadcast of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2023) rights by New World TV (NWTV) and sports marketing agency, Media Business Solutions (MBS).
Expressing discontent, NBC points fingers at breaches of its broadcast code, designed to protect the local TV industry and viewership.
The bone of contention lies in the bundling of international rights, where Pan-African pay TV giants like Startimes and SuperSport are vying for supremacy. This tussle has put a snag in the exclusive award of rights to NWTV, winners of a local bidding process.
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With the clock ticking, the delay hampers Free-To-Air broadcasters from securing necessary sponsorships, raising the ominous spectre of a potential blackout in Nigeria.
The NBC, not one to mince words, has fired off letters to New World TV (NWTV) – a Togo-based satellite television network and CAF, warning of the looming crisis and demanding swift resolution to avert a spectacle that could leave millions of Super Eagles fans in the dark.
In an official communication to Mr. Nimomka Kolani, Managing Director of NWTV, and Mr. Richard Dimosi, CEO of MBS, the Director-General of NBC, Charles Ebuebu, raised concerns about several issues that, if left unaddressed, could have adverse consequences not just for the involved entities but also for the broader interests of Nigerian broadcasters and viewers.
The NBC, established in 1992 to regulate and control the broadcast industry in Nigeria, specifically pointed to potential violations of Articles 6.2.7 and 6.2.10 – 6.2.21 of the NBC Code 2020 (6th Edition). These provisions deal with the acquisition and transmission of sports content and have been put in place to ensure fairness, equity, and adherence to the unique characteristics of the Nigerian market.
1. Pan-African Bundling Raises Fair Competition Concerns
NBC expressed concerns over the bundling of Pan-African rights by NWTV and ongoing discussions with Startimes, emphasizing the potential infringement upon the rights of local broadcasters.
According to NBC, the bundling strategy, if implemented, could jeopardize fair competition within the Nigerian broadcast industry. Engaging with Startimes, particularly under potentially lower fees for the same territories, raises questions about the integrity of the bidding process and its impact on both FTA broadcasters and football fans in Nigeria.
2. Exclusivity and Pricing Discrepancies Questioned
Negotiation processes surrounding exclusivity and pricing for Free-to-Air (FTA) rights raised questions about fairness and transparency. The fees demanded for FTA rights appeared disproportionately high, potentially disadvantaging Nigerian broadcasters. The apparent imbalance in negotiation processes requires careful examination to ensure equitable opportunities for all broadcasters.
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3. Late Negotiations Impact Viewing Experience
NBC expressed concern about the delayed negotiations, especially considering the impending broadcast of a significant event like AFCON 2023. Late-stage negotiations may impact the planning and execution of the broadcast, potentially leading to a suboptimal viewing experience. This pattern, observed in previous international events, could hinder the growth of the Free-to-Air television sector in Nigeria.
In the official communication, Charles Ebuebu, the Director-General of NBC, urged NWTV and MBS to provide prompt clarification on the process followed in awarding the broadcasting rights for AFCON 2023. Additionally, he sought information on measures taken to ensure compliance with the NBC Code provisions and clarification on bundling practices and negotiations affecting fair sports content acquisition for Nigeria.
The NBC emphasized the urgency of the matter and its potential impact on the broadcast of AFCON 2023, urging all parties involved to strictly adhere to the provisions of the NBC Code. Failure to comply may result in legal consequences and potential penalties.
As the industry awaits responses from NWTV and MBS, the regulatory authority is keen on ensuring a fair and transparent process in acquiring and broadcasting sporting events in Nigeria.
9 Comments
NBC and apparent incompetence or is it greedy CAF and incompetence?
I don’t understand the alarm raised. MBS has a subsidiary in Lagos.
Startimes say they bought rights too. Abi no be startimes Nigeria?
What gains would CAF have if NWTV which paid $80m to beam matches across sub Sahara Africa not be able to find Nigeria stations to partner with them?
NWTV and CAF would not want to wink in the dark since European football would be competing for African viewers attention at the same time.
NBC, bulldoze CAF and sort out your “alarm” quick. AFCON is from this Saturday.
Oh, is that why NTA hasn’t played any jingles yet?
Oh, I just read this on pulse:
NTA has agreed with Afrosport to beam all 52 matches live.
But NBC wants only NTA to beam them in Nigeria and is disputing Startimes rights as CS wrote above.
Would NBC have flexed muscles if Supersport had got same rights?
Startimes is owned by China and not only broadcast in Nigeria.
“Meanwhile, in a separate development, Startimes AFCON telecast in Nigeria is in doubt after the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) questioned the legitimacy of their rights. Like AfroSport, Startimes had also received rights from New World TV to show the competition in Nigeria. But NBC has now put doubt on the broadcast due to an alleged breach of broadcasting code.”
“Its Director-General, Charles Ebuebu has written to regional rights holders, New World Televisions S.A (NWTV) and CAF, pointing out critical concerns regarding potential violations of the NBC Code concerning the broadcast rights for the AFCON 2023. The commission is concerned that there are breaches of the NBC Broadcast Code, designed to safeguard the interests of the Nigerian TV industry and viewers.”
Complete Sports have the rest as written above.
Shebi NTA be dey on Startimes too. What is NBC crying about?
It’s all messed up honestly @Sly. I’m not even sure where to watch the matches besides streaming on the web. How many sports fans in Nigeria subscribe to StarTimes? Even if we want to manage NTA’s guaranteed poor and analog visuals, it’s almost certain DSTv won’t allow the NTA channel on their platform to broadcast it.
Look at Togo-based NWTV outbidding the greedy folks at SuperSport/DStv, but we had several outfits that tried to break that DSTv monopoly in Nigeria/Africa (HiTV, TSTv, etc) without success cos they had no government backing/support. DSTV singlehandedly killed them with the humongous EPL outbidding, which is the number one consideration for subscribers.
Instead, the government’s shamelessly analog NTA partnered with a Chinese savior to float another substandard Chinese StarTimes, prompting monopolistic DSTv to float GOTv to rival it and killed it off again. Simplistic Nigerian governments and their West African counterparts are mute as South Africans continue to toy with our rich satellite broadcast market. As long as the uber monopolistic and greedy DSTv/Supersport bribe top government officials with free premium subscriptions all year, they don’t care about the rest of us.
And what is NFF’s blabber-mouth Demola Olajire (Communications Director) saying about the fact fans may miss out on watching the Afcon without data? Nothing as usual. He doesn’t care as long as money gains for the board members are not involved. Even ordinary away qualifiers men and women, senior and age-grade, Nigerians continue to scramble for where to watch it on the web. Their NFF doesn’t care.
Hassle-free Afcon blackout looms with just 4 days to go.
So-called “Giant of Africa” waiting on South Africans and other foreigners to be able to watch AFCON…lmao!
Meanwhile, when it comes to finding money for luxury SUVs every four years and private jets for political officeholders (who should be public SERVANTS), no issue! But then again, seeing the crowd of wretchedly-poor people hailing the President’s long motorcade of ultra-luxury vehicles on a recent trip to Lagos, many Nigerians actually DESERVE their fate. Anyway, I understand the South Africans have changed their minds – so Nigerians will now return to their state of stupor until another tournament comes along. SMDH
Breaking news Supersport has made u-turn they are now going to beam it LIVE. Goodnews to all football lovers in Nigeria at least we will enjoy analysis as always, been wondering how boring it will be watching on NTA
What’s th fate of thosr on GoTV?
Gotv will also
Where did you get this your info sir?
It is cheaper to watch AFCON on StarTimes than to watch it on DStv. You will need to pay about N19,000+ to watch it on DSTV while you will pay around N5,300 to watch it on Startimes in HD.