The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has awarded six companies broadcasting licences.
In a June 19 Gazette notice, the industry regulator indicated that it had licenced Smart Media Colleges Ltd, BClimax Africa Ltd, Equatorial Multimedia Group Ltd, Mwanyange Television (MTV), The Standard Group Ltd and Neno Evangelism Centre, the Business Daily reports.
In 2014, the authority set June as the deadline for broadcasters to air 40% local content under a new regulatory regime. The regulator has also compelled new broadcasters to commit to the rule as they seek licences.
“The reason for the grant of the licence is to enable the applicant to operate and provide services as indicated above (commercial free to air television on digital terrestrial television platform),” said the Gazette notice.
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The licences are thematic with some stations focusing on sports and others documentaries. CA Director General Francis Wangusi said media owners are also required to present pre-aired content every week for vetting by CA as per new regulations.
He added that a majority of the media stations only air 14% local content, with only two airing 51% local content. Currently, there are over 160 media owners hence the need to regulate them.
2013/2014 financial year statistics by the regulator state that only 3 in every 10 local content programmes produced actually end up on Kenyan television. The statistics also show that KBC is the leader in airing local content at 50% followed by QTV at 44%. The rest are ranked below 40.
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