Broadcasting is a global phenomenon, which serves as an essential aspect of any nation’s socio-cultural life. The significance of Broadcasting cannot be over-emphasized hence private broadcasting in Nigeria was enabled in 1992 by the Federal Government that saw privatization of the electronic media as a very good Legacy.
The National Broadcasting Commission the (NBC) was established, with the special charge to ensure that Private Radio and Television Licenses are issued to broadcasters to serve society in an ethically responsible manner, after receiving, processing and considering applications, for the establishment ownership or operation of Radio and Television Stations.
Generally the commission also has the basic responsibility of advising the Federal Government on the implementation of the National Mass Communication Policy with particular reference to Broadcasting.
Galaxy Television, Nigeria’s first independent Television Station, now based in Lagos, Ibadan and Akure is the first Licensed Private Television Station in Nigeria. Apart from being the first to be licensed, it was also the first to start broadcasting.
Galaxy Television started full broadcasting in May 1994 from Oke Are, Ibadan with a 10kilowalts Aerodyne transmitter.
One might wonder or be puzzled as to why Oke Are Ibadan happened to be the take off base of this unique Television Station.
The idea as whispered by the Bound of Management led by Chief Steve Ojo, was for the T.V station to start broadcasting from Lagos. Eventually Lagos was discovered to be unduly costly considering Location, Accommodation and other logistic challenges.
A cheaper, historical, more convenient (with a sort of altitude gain) was discovered in Oke-Are.
Oke-Are for example was the main base of the foremost Rediffusion station which was the fore-runner of Radio Broadcasting in Nigeria.
Galaxy Televisionmaintained the No. 1 spot with a 60-70 percent viewership in Oyo, Osun, Ogun and part of Lagos state. What with big programmes like “BE MY GUEST” produced and presented by Ace Broadcaster, Ayo Ojurongbe, and versatile sports programmer and presenter, Emenike Agu, just to mention a few. Most of these programmes are still being rated, long after most of them have disappeared from the Air waves.
We need to mention however that soon after take off in 1994, a technical hitch was experienced and for a couple of mouths the station was off the air waves. It however bounced back with a lot of innovations and mind bungling programmes. In January 2002, Galaxy TV Lagos was launched, but not without initial challenges. The misconception of the fact that whatever is acceptable and accepted as good programming in any place, would be so in any other sphere; Exporting the “good” programmes from Ibadan to Lagos almost led to a disaster. It later dawned on the management then, that in Broadcasting, it is “different strokes” for “different folks”.
Galaxy Television bounced back on a tremendous note and has since maintained top rating with other station in Lagos. Galaxy TV Lagos presently covers the Lagos metropolis, Ikorodu, Epe, Shagamu, Ijebu-Ode, Abeokuta e.t.c.
The Station is also on GOTV, STARTIMES and Recently DSTV. In the quest of proving its leadership in the world of private broadcasting in Nigeria, GALAXY TV established another station in Akure, Ondo state which was launched in 2012.
In addition to a National license, this has enabled the station to transmit to all parts of Nigeria.
CHALLENGES
Being the first Private Television Station in Nigeria, a lot of challenges were faced and some are still being faced till date.
Financial Implication
Setting up of a television station requires a lot of funds to procure items of equipment for transmission and production e.t.c since the business is privately owned a lot of funds have to come from the owners or through loans.
Professional Standards
In order to maintain high professional standards, Stations have to acquire copyrights to materials/programmes for transmission.
Power
Due to epileptic power supply being experienced in the country, the stations have continued to generate its own power since inception; this, evidently is capital intensive.
Economic Issues
The high cost of foreign exchange for purposes of broadcasting, spare parts and allied equipment and maintenance became a problem early in the operation of Stations. Owing to the uneven Socio-Political and economic landscape, the management of Stations soon became characterized by financial problems ranging from staff remuneration and welfare, to dwindling revenue and profits.
Technological Advancement
Frequent innovations in Technology requires that private Television Stations stay up to date, in upgrading their equipment in order to stay in top form in the competition including training and retraining of the members of staff.
Start-up risk of acceptability and profitability Commercial Success
- Several members of staff of other private broadcasting stations benefited immensely from Galaxy TV. It was and still remains a basic training ground and a launching pad for most of them.
- Over the years, according to sources Galaxy TV has maintained a top spot in private broadcasting business and has won several Laurels for this, hence the Large Audience and Customer base.
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