The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) has had its international channel removed from Europe’s largest digital satellite TV service, Sky, and barred from airing on channel 794 via the platform.
The move was confirmed by a message on Sky’s website which reads: “NTA International is currently temporarily removed from the EPG (Electronic Programme Guide).”
A Sky customer service official in the UK said that Sky had no control over NTA International since its rights are controlled by London-based minority channel distributor Ben TV.
However, according to sources, the news of NTA’s suspension broke shortly after the NBC and AIT dispute, in which Nigeria’s media regulator locked horns with Daar Communications, owner of independent broadcaster AIT.
That issue saw NBC suspend Daar’s broadcasting licence over alleged breaches of the Nigeria Broadcasting Code in its political coverage, but the matter was resolved earlier this week.
The move has not impacted Ben TV’s own channel on the Sky platform, which broadcasts into the UK, Ireland, Italy and German-speaking Europe. Sky is owned by US cable giant Comcast, also parent of NBCUniversal.
tagged in: Ben TV, Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, Sky