GBC ORDERED TO REDUCE IT'S 6 DIGITAL TV CHANNELS TO 3 IN 60 DAYS

The Ministry of Communications has directed the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC) to reduce its six operating digital television channels to three.

In a letter addressed to the Director-General of the GBC dated June 26, 2020, the Minister of Communications, Mrs Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, said the directive which is to be implemented within 60 days is to ensure that there is space on the National Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) platform which is currently at full capacity with 40 operating channels.

Currently, the state broadcaster operates six of those 40 digital channels, namely; GTV Sports+ (a channel for sports), GBC 24 (a 24-hour news TV channel) and GTV Life (a religion and culture channel), GTV Govern (a governance channel), Obonu TV (a channel for the people of Greater Accra) and Ghana Learning Television (a channel established for tutoring JHS and SHS students during the COVID-19 pandemic). 

Meanwhile , the letter sighted by  suggests that GTV is expected to merge these channels in line with the directive.

● Return of channel

The letter also indicates that GTV's channels will be returned when work on the planned expansion of Ghana's DTT network is completed.

"Kindly note that upon the planned future expansion of capacity on the network, which has been delayed due to the current pandemic and the uncertainties generated in global supply chains, you will be allocated additional channels," the letter says.

"Please take steps to implement this directive within sixty (60) days of receipt of this letter. We are counting on your cooperation in this regard".

● Minister Addressing The Issue

Responding to concerns over the directive today in Parliament, Mrs Owusu-Ekuful indicated that the move is to free up space on the DTT platform whose scheduled expansion has been held-up by the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainties generated in global supply chains.

She further stated that at the moment it would be impossible for the state to broadcast urgent communication to citizens because the DTT platform is full.

● GBC Petition National Media Commission

However, GBC has appealed to the National Media Commission to intervene swiftly. So that, the nation's premier broadcasting outfit doesn't lose these channels which could lead to massive job losses.

Credit: Ministry of Communications ||

||