Africa Independent Television

Private television network in Nigeria

Africa Independent Television

Type| Private company
Country|

Nigeria

Availability| Africa
Europe
North America
Founded| 1996
by Raymond Dokpesi
Area| Nigeria
Owner| DAAR Communications plc.

Key people

| Dr. Raymond Dokpesi

Launch date

| 22 November 1996

Official website

| www.ait.live

Africa Independent Television, also known by its acronym AIT, is a privately owned television broadcaster in Nigeria. It operates Free To Air in Nigeria as the largest privately[1] operated terrestrial television network with stations in twenty-four out of thirty-six states in Nigeria. AIT is also broadcast via satellite television from its operational headquarters in Abuja.[2] AIT is a subsidiary of DAAR Communications plc, available throughout Africa, and via Dish Network to North America.

The network emerged due to the deregulation of the Nigerian media landscape, which up until then, was dominated by federal and state government outlets.[3] Satellite broadcasts started on 3 November 1997.[4]

In the early 2000s, it was one of the many affiliates that relayed TVAfrica's output in Nigeria.[5]

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, it was available on Sky channel 454 as a free-to-air channel (originally a subscription channel until 1 August 2016). An additional channel called AIT Movistar, formerly on Sky channel 330, ceased broadcasting on 28 July 2009. AIT International ceased broadcasting in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 15 October 2019.

## Shutdown

[edit]

The Founder, Raymond Dokpesi, led a peaceful protest to the National Assembly on 6 June 2019 to submit a petition requesting a review of the broadcast laws. [citation needed] Raymond Dokpesi had at a press conference earlier called the attention of the media to editorial interference, threats of sanctions and political bias by the Director-General, Modibbo Kawu[6] of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), who had recently contested a primary election as an aspirant of the ruling All Progressives Congress for governorship in Kwara State. Dokpesi also alleged that the NBC was working on the orders of the Nigerian presidency to clamp down on the TV network over trumped up charges of violation of the broadcast code.[7]

The broadcasting license of the television station was suspended indefinitely by the National Broadcasting Commission on 6 June 2019 on the grounds of its alleged failure to pay license fees and use of inciting contents from social media.[8]

A Federal High Court in Abuja however ordered the reopening of the television station on 7 June 2019.[9][10]

## Personalities

[edit]

* Ohimai Amaize

## See also

[edit]

* List of television stations in Nigeria

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Atiku, Shehu Sani, others speak on closure of AIT, Ray Power". Premium Times. Retrieved 8 December 2019.
2. ^ "Broadcast organisations". National Broadcasting Commission. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
3. ^ "The role of African Independent Television in promoting popular culture among youths in Kaduna metropolis".
4. ^ "Nigeria launches 24-hour sat TV", Africa Film & TV Magazine, nº. 16, January-March 1998
5. ^ "Global Entertainment Media: Content, Audiences, Issues". Google Books. 2005. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
6. ^ "Broadcast Regulator V Africa Independent Television (AIT)". Vanguard News. 9 June 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2022.
7. ^ Erezi, Dennis (6 June 2019). "Buhari using NBC to intimidate press, Dokpesi alleges". Guardian. Nigeria. Retrieved 3 September 2020.
8. ^ Aluko, Olaleye (6 June 2019). "NBC suspends AIT, Raypower's licences indefinitely". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
9. ^ "Court orders reopening of AIT, Ray power". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
10. ^ Court orders reopening of AIT, Raypower https://www.thecable.ng/just-in-court-orders-reopening-of-ait-raypower

## External links

[edit]

* AIT News

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