MultiChoice Group, a CANAL+ Company, has welcomed the recent directive issued by Nigeria’s National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) on 2 November 2026, which reaffirms the country’s rules on intellectual property rights and the retransmission of audiovisual content.
The directive underscores a core broadcasting principle: access to another operator’s signal does not grant the right to retransmit or commercially redistribute its content. Operators must secure all necessary rights and authorizations before retransmitting protected material. Any unauthorized retransmission is a clear violation of intellectual property rights.
Kemi Omotosho, CEO of MultiChoice Nigeria, applauded the NBC’s clarification, calling it a significant move towards protecting content creators and rights-holders, while fostering a more orderly and sustainable broadcasting landscape. “The Group welcomes the NBC’s efforts to bring greater clarity to content rights and retransmission rules in Nigeria. This step is vital for strengthening protections for creators and rights-holders, and for building a well-structured, sustainable audiovisual market. A clear, predictable regulatory framework benefits the entire creative ecosystem, encouraging investment in local content and generating long-term value for creators, rights-holders, operators, and audiences,” Omotosho said.
The directive offers crucial regulatory guidance for the broadcasting industry, emphasizing respect for intellectual property, fair competition, and a level playing field for legitimate operators. Such clarity is essential for encouraging investment in content creation, supporting industry sustainability, and reinforcing the ecosystem for creators, rights-holders, broadcasters, and audiences.
MultiChoice Group reiterated its commitment to safeguarding intellectual property rights and promoting the sustainable growth of Africa’s creative industries. The Group pledged to continue working with regulators and industry partners to advance legitimate content distribution and support the long-term sustainability of the audiovisual sector.
