Namibian Broadcasting Corporation


The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation is the public broadcaster of Namibia. It was established in 1979, under the name South West African Broadcasting Corporation or '''Suidwes-Afrikaanse Uitsaaikorporasie'''
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History

Radio was originally broadcast in English and Afrikaans via shortwave from the South African Broadcasting Corporation's facilities in South Africa. The SABC established a local FM transmitter network in November 1969, relaying Radio South Africa, Radio Suid-Afrika, and Springbok Radio, and establishing a number of services in native languages, including Radio Ovambo, broadcasting in the Kwanyama and Ndonga languages, Radio Herero and Radio Damara Nama. The introduction of Radio Kavango along the northeastern border with Angola followed in February 1976 in the Kwangali, Mbukushu and Gciriku languages.
In 1965, the pro-independence movement, the South West Africa People's Organisation, began broadcasting a one-hour radio programme from Tanzania on short wave known as The Namibian Hour. It later started broadcasting from Zambia. In 1974, it was renamed Voice of Namibia. By 1986, it was broadcasting from Angola, Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar and Zimbabwe, as well as from Tanzania and Zambia.

From SABC to SWABC

In May 1979 the SABC relinquished control of broadcasting services in the territory, and a new broadcaster was established in its place. This was known as the South West African Broadcasting Corporation, in Afrikaans as Suidwes-Afrikaanse Uitsaaikorporasie, came into being. However, 70 per cent of the SWABC's technical personnel were on secondment from the SABC. In addition, a number of its programmes were prepared at the SABC's studios in Johannesburg before being dispatched to Windhoek for transmission.
Under the authority of the South African-appointed Administrator General, the SWABC operated nine "ethnic" radio stations in English, Afrikaans, German, Owambo, Herero, Lozi, Tswana and Damara/Nama, with the national service broadcast only in English and Afrikaans. By March 1985, 85 per cent of the population had FM radio service over 31 transmitting stations.
The SWABC's television service was introduced in October 1981, serving 50 per cent of the population, via 11 transmitters. This comprised a mix of programming in English, Afrikaans and German, 90 per cent of which came from or via the SABC. Programmes were shown locally a week after South Africa. The SWABC received SABC TV programming first by using a microwave link, and later via an Intelsat satellite link.
However, Walvis Bay, an enclave of South Africa in Namibia until 1994, received the SABC's TV1 on a low-power transmitter, which was broadcast live via Intelsat from 1986.

Transition to independence

During the transition to independence in 1989, the SWABC was accused by the United Nations Transition Assistance Group of bias in its news coverage, portraying the pro-independence SWAPO party as well as UNTAG in a negative light, while being uncritical of press releases from the Administrator General's office, the police force, and anti-SWAPO parties. It was accused of particular bias towards the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance, with disproportionate coverage given to its press conferences and rallies.
In addition, in July 1989, the Administrator General was given three times as much airtime on SWABC TV as UNTAG. However, while the SWABC had offered UNTAG five minutes of radio airtime daily and a ten-minute daily television slot in May 1989, UNTAG was unable to produce adequate broadcasts and failed to benefit from its allotted airtime until late June.

Post-independence

Following independence in 1990, the new government made the decision to make English the sole language on NBC television, while the existing English-language national radio service was made the main channel for news, sport, public affairs and other programmes. Three months after independence, NBC television began broadcasting entirely in English, while broadcasting hours for radio services in other languages were reduced.
Under the pre-independence agreements, most SWABC staff were able to keep their jobs at the new broadcaster, but they were joined by SWAPO journalists who had previously worked for the Voice of Namibia, leading to accusations of bias and favouritism from both sides.
The NBC was also accused by opposition politicians of favouring SWAPO, with Nora Schimming-Chase, vice-president of the Congress of Democrats, calling it the "Nujoma Broadcasting Corporation", a reference to Namibia's then President, Sam Nujoma. The DTA of Namibia, formerly the Democratic Turnhalle Alliance, has also accused the NBC of giving coverage of political rallies that favour SWAPO at the expense of its rivals.
On 6 July 1996, two NBC TV cameras were damaged beyond repair and one was stolen, after a jazz concert failed to appear at the scheduled time. Members of the crew were also injured. The damaged cameras cost N$1.5 million.
From 2000, more local languages were added to NBC's television news, after consideration that more than 80% of its viewers did not understand English. Shortly afterwards, it was announced that NBC would start television news in Afrikaans. The delays were due to budget constraints and that all content in the language was sponsored by private companies.
The broadcaster announced an increase in licensing fees in October 2001, scheduled to be set at 13%.
NBC's public image was diminishing by the 2000s, when locals noticed that the channel was closely associated with the ruling SWAPO party. Some journalists left to join One Africa Television, its commercial competitor.

Services

Radio

The NBC operates one 24-hour radio station in English and nine so-called Language Services that broadcast between 10 and 15 hours per day in Oshiwambo, Damara/Nama renamed "Kaisamed FM", Otjiherero, Rukavango, Afrikaans, German, Setswana, Silozi and San.
The majority of radio stations are broadcast from radio studios in Pettenkofer Street, Windhoek, but many Oshiwambo programmes emanate from the studios in Oshakati, the Rukavango service is broadcast from the studios in Rundu, the SiLozi service from Katima Mulilo and ǃHa Radio from Tsumkwe, although these are now available nationwide via digital terrestrial television.

Television

NBC continued the television service of the SWABC introduced in 1981. Since the launch of digital terrestrial television in 2013 there are three television channels, primarily in English, but with some programming in Afrikaans, German and indigenous languages. A number of Deutsche Welle programmes also are relayed by NBC on radio and television.
NBC1 is also available on the DStv satellite television platform. NBC2 and NBC3, however, can only be accessed by the aerial television network through proprietary decoders currently being sold throughout Namibia. There was some discussion regarding the cost of these digital decoders.
It had a monopoly on free-to-air television in Namibia until 2008, when the competitor One Africa Television, a new privately owned television station was launched.

NBC1

A free to air channel that broadcast current affairs, children's programs, telenovelas, dramas and news.

NBC2

A free to air channel that broadcast news channels and Eye on SADC.

NBC3

A pay television that airs dramas, telenovelas, sports and movies.

Programs

Current

Imported shows

Animated shows
Angel's FriendsBlaze and the Monster MachinesDora and Friends: Into the City!Dora the ExplorerFireman SamJulius Jr.Kate and Mim MimMax SteelMonsters vs. AliensMy Little Pony: Friendship Is MagicNFL Rush ZonePanda FanfarePAW PatrolThe Penguins of MadagascarPokémonPumpkin ReportsRegal AcademySilly SeasonsSpongeBob SquarePantsStorm HawksStuart LittleThomas and FriendsTickety Toc

Former

Imported shows

Animated shows
6teenThe Adventures of Blinky BillThe Adventures of GulliverAdventures of Pow WowAdventures of Sinbad the SailorThe Adventures of Teddy RuxpinThe Adventures of the Little KoalaThe Adventures of TintinAlfred J. KwakALF: The Animated SeriesAlice in Wonderland Alvin and the ChipmunksThe Amazing Adventures of MorphAmigo and FriendsAnimaliaAnimated ClassicsAnimated Tales of the WorldAnimaniacsBabarBabar and Father ChristmasBannertail: The Story of Gray SquirrelThe Bear, the Tiger and the OthersBeast Wars: TransformersThe Berenstain Bears The Berenstain Bears Bertie the BatBeybladeBionic SixBozo: The World's Most Famous ClownBracefaceBright SparksBrown Bear's WeddingThe BubbliesBucky O'Hare and the Toad WarsBugs Bunny SpecialsThe Bush BabyBusytown MysteriesCadichon, Memoirs of a DonkeyCadillacs & DinosaursThe California Raisin ShowCaptain Planet and the PlaneteersCaptain Zed and the Zee ZoneThe Care Bears FamilyCasper and FriendsCBS StorybreakCharlie ChalkThe Chipmunks Go to the MoviesA Claymation Christmas CelebrationClifford's Fun with...CococinelCoconutsCyberchaseDavey and GoliathDenver, the Last DinosaurDig & Dug with DaisyDink, the Little DinosaurDinosaucersDiplodosDisney's Adventures of the Gummi BearsDisney's The Little MermaidDoDo, The Kid from Outer SpaceDog CityDog of FlandersDork Hunters from Outer SpaceDragonEdward and FriendsElliott MooseFables of the Green ForestThe Fairly OddParents!Fat Albert and the Cosby KidsFelix the CatFinley the Fire EngineThe Flying HouseFoofurFranklinFriends of the ForestThe Get Along GangGloria's HouseGranpaThe Great Book of NatureGroovie GooliesG.I. Joe: A Real American HeroHairy and FurryHammermanHeathcliffHello Kitty's Furry Tale TheaterHenry's CatHe-Man and the Masters of the UniverseThe Hillbilly GoatsHuxley PigInspector GadgetThe Jackson Five ShowJacob Two-TwoJames the CatJemJourney Through NutritionlandJust So StoriesThe Karate KidKid PaddleKing Arthur and the Knights of JusticeThe King Kong ShowKissyfurThe Kwicky Koala ShowLaurel & HardyLegend of the DragonThe Legend of White FangThe Legends of Treasure IslandLittle BearLittle BlueThe Little Flying BearsLittle Red TractorLittle RoseyMagi-NationMaisyMalo KorriganMasters of AnimationMaya the Honey BeeMedabotsMiaunel and BălănelMighty Mouse and FriendsMighty Mouse: The New AdventuresMoominMoonScoop Group/Mike YoungMouse TVMuzzy in GondolandThe Mysterious Cities of GoldMy Little PonyThe New Adventures of BatmanThe New Adventures of Ocean GirlThe New Adventures of ZorroNew Kids on the BlockNilus the SandmanNilus the Sandman: The Boy Who Dreamed ChristmasNoddy's Toyland AdventuresOnce Upon a Time... LifeOrm and CheepOvide VideoPelswickPiggeldy and FrederickPocahontas: Princess of the American IndiansPoddington PeasPolice AcademyThe PondlesPostman PatPotatoes and DragonsPound PuppiesProStarsQuack PackThe RaccoonsRambo: The Force of FreedomReBootRic the RavenRipley's Believe It or Not!: The Animated SeriesThe Road Runner ShowRobotechRod 'n' EmuRolie Polie OlieRupertRupert the BearSagwa, the Chinese Siamese CatSamson & GoliathSeabertThe Secret Lives of Waldo KittyShadow RaidersThe Shoe PeopleSilent Night, Holy NightThe SmoggiesThe SmurfsSpider!Spiff and HerculesSport BillyStaines Down DrainsStar Street: The Adventures of the Star KidsStar Wars: EwoksStories to RememberThe Story of the Other Wise ManStorybook InternationalTaotaoTeddy Drop EarTeenage Mutant Hero TurtlesTell Me a StoryThree Kittens in the HouseThunderbirds 2086Timeless FairytalesTiny Toon AdventuresTom and JerryTom and Jerry KidsTom of T.H.U.M.B.Tottie: The Story of a Doll's HouseThe Ugly Duckling and Me!Ultimate Book of SpellsVicky the VikingWalt Disney's Mickey and DonaldWarner Bros. CartoonsWhere's Wally?Widget, the World WatcherThe Wind in the WillowsWish KidThe World of David the GnomeThe WuzzlesThe Yaarling