HISTORY OF AKWA IBOM BROADCASTING CORPORATION, UYO['; AKBC'' ]

Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corp.

 

PROFILE OF AKWA IBOM BROADCASTING CORPORATION, UYO.

The Corporation, popularly known by the acronym “AKBC” was established by Edict No. 4 of April 1988.  It comprises the Radio and Television services with the Director General as the Chief Executive Officer supervising and coordinating the activities of the two organs.  The mandate of the Corporation as spelt out by the Edict   establishing it is to, among other things,

• Promote independent and impartial Television and Radio broadcasting services in the State and other States of the Federation.
• Ensure that adequate expression is given to the culture, character, affairs and thinking of the people of the state.

Apart from fulfilling the general objectives of the mass media, AKBC through the its Radio and Television services  has in the past 25 years fashioned out well articulated programmes that have contributed to all spheres of social life through information correlation, reinforcement, mobilization, entertainment, education and promotion of integration and economic development.  There are also programmes that provide instantaneous two-way communication between the management and the listeners/viewers on one hand and the government and the governed on the other hand.  The temporary Headquarters of the Corporation is at No. 3 Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo while the Transmitting Station is at Ntak, Inyang, Itam, along Itam/Itu-calabar High way.

THE RADIO SERVICE 
The Radio Service, christened “Radio Akwa Ibom,   and “Voice of Promise” transmits on a Frequency Modulation of 90.5 MHZ.
AKBC Radio broadcasts an average of 18 hours from 5.30am to 12.15a.m. daily.  The language of broadcast is English and the local dialects.  The programmes‘ content of AKBC Radio is quite rich.  This informs its being rated as one of the stations with the highest number of Popular programmes in her kitty including Curtains Up; a 30 minute drama programme, Sibaba Sibaba; a chit chat programme in vernacular; That’s Life; a 30 minute programme on the philosophy of life.  Others are Sport magazine, Sport Arena, Awang Idit Oro; a drama programme in Oron dialect and Afe-Mbono, another drama programme in Annang dialect.
Other programmes include: Feminine Touch; Spicy, Style and Fashion Lunch time out, Hill Top Safari and Afternoon Ride a presentation of Hip-Hop music.  The programmes are open to sponsorship.  However; the station also accepts packaged programmes from Agencies, clients, and independent producers that meet its programmes policy guidelines and standards.

THE TELEVISION SERVICE

The Television Service, with the slogan “The Ultimate in Television Broadcasting” transmits   on Channel 45 UHF.

Reception reports show that the station is widely received with active audience cutting across all age brackets and socio-economic groups.  This makes AKBC – TV truly the “Ultimate in Television Broadcasting” and a gate-way to the Eastern markets and beyond
The programmes policy has the people at the centre, giving exposure to regional culture, tastes and characteristics while at the same time educating, informing, enlightening, and entertaining.  Based on this dynamic programme policy, the Programme Directorate has designed exciting programmes to meet the taste of the numerous viewers thereby providing receptive atmospheres for effective marketing communication.
The TV was on 24 hours transmission from September, 2007 but discontinued in 2010 owing to the high cost of running solely on generators and manpower. Transmission is now 18 hours daily with prime viewing time of 6.00am to 10.00pm.  We have created a very attractive morning programme belt with popular and compelling shows that have become a must watch to our teeming viewers.  The morning belt presents yet a new window for advertisers to reach their target audience.
Our popular morning shows include the “AM 45”, series of Pathfinder, Heart Beat, Centre Point and Focus.  These are Live compelling magazine programme which feature discussions, comedy, drama sketches, motivational talks, music, interviews and so on.  We also introduced vernacular belt from 8 – 9am daily titled “Ntia Ntia Asakka”. This attracted a lot of viewers based on calls recorded. Others  are “Youth Corner”, for the young   generation, “Angel on TV’ a live phone-in programme that enables the audience to share real life experiences of relations etc.  “Music Alive”; a live music entertainment programme that showcases talents in the different genres,    “Asuama”, a vernacular drama programme that portrays contemporary society and boardroom politics in government and the private enterprises, Menu 45, Night Bliss, Nuptial Crystal are family programmes, Legend: highlights the success story of Achievers with a host of others, which are open for sponsorship   The Marketing Directorate can be contacted for details.  Packaged independently produced programmes that meet acceptable standards, are also accepted.
Our Technical Department is manned by well qualified and committed staff to ensure hitch free transmission at all times and the Marketing Directorate is sufficiently staffed with experienced professionals to handle client services with maximum efficiency.
Mission Statement:
To provide information, entertainment and educational services to the public, through professional Radio and Television broadcasting, that gives adequate expression to the culture, characteristics, and thinking of the government and people of Akwa Ibom State.
Our Vision:
To be a one-stop station for the best in entertainment, news and programmes, that creatively galvanize Akwa Ibom people and positively project the rich cultural heritage, cherished values and potentials of the State, for enhanced image and respectability within and outside Nigeria.
Addresses:
Corporate Headquarters
No. 3, UdoUdoma Avenue, Uyo, AkwaIbom State, Nigeria.
PMB 1122, Uyo.
Phone: 08037735324
Liaison Office
No. 27, LadipoOluwoleCresent, Off Adeniyi Jones, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria. Phone: 08022908554.
Transmitting Station
NtakInyangItam, Itu-Calabar Highway
Website: akbconline.org
e-mail: info@akbconline
Daily radio and television news programme of AKBC can also be accessed online on akbclive.com and akbconline.org.  We can also be followed on Twitter – @akbc45uyo, Facebook on AKBC Channel 45 and Star-times channel 113.