Ukorebi Esien | July 22, 2025
CALABAR - The Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) has continued its journey toward modernization, announcing the transition to a fully paperless newsroom while also unveiling plans to establish a language-thematic broadcast station in Odukpani Local Government Area. These strategic moves are part of a broader reform agenda spearheaded by the General Manager, Mr. Sam Nsor, who has overseen sweeping infrastructural, digital, and operational changes since assuming office on June 23, 2023.
In an exclusive interview, the CRBC boss disclosed that the transformation aligns with Governor Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu's "People First" agenda, emphasizing innovation, inclusion, and service delivery across the state's media landscape.
One of the most significant milestones in the CRBC reform drive is the transition to a paperless newsroom, driven by integrated digital tools such as Radio Garden and RadioBus. These platforms allow for automated advert uploads and global streaming of radio content, even when the station is technically off-air.
"With our automation tools, advertisers can now monitor their spots in real-time. Our content runs 24/7 on autopilot, and CRBC is now accessible from anywhere in the world," Nsor said.
This digital transformation has drastically reduced advert non-compliance from a troubling 96% to just 2%, mostly attributed to occasional human error. The station's revamped website, www.crbconline.org, also serves as a central hub for live radio streaming and information access.
Nsor also disclosed that as part of its bold move to promote cultural preservation and inclusivity, CRBC is set to establish a language-thematic broadcast station in Odukpani. The proposed station will focus on indigenous language programming, giving voice to local dialects and traditional knowledge systems. He informed that Odukpani had been a substation with full completement of a broadcast station for both Radion and Tv production. Adding that the Odukpani station is expected to serve surrounding communities, provide employment for local content creators, and deepen the state's commitment to linguistic diversity.
"This is part of our long-term vision to make broadcasting accessible and relatable. Language is a carrier of culture, and we want every Cross Riverian to hear themselves reflected in our content," Nsor explained.
Nsor who expressly credited the remarkable turnaround to the unwavering support of the State Governor, Senator (Prince) Bassey Edet Otu, describing him as "a father who never gets tired of listening to our complaints and a consistent enabler of growth and modernization at the state-owned broadcaster." Noted that the station's major problem had been not just physical dilapidation but operational too.
"When I resumed on June 23, 2023, the CRBC building was not only physically dilapidated but operationally handicapped," Nsor recalled. "There were no air conditioners, no functional generator, and zero working cameras except a 1993 Panasonic left in the GM's office."
The cerebral broadcaster noted that the biggest challenge of the corporation was Power. The station operated on a 2kVA domestic generator, placed on a slab on a roof top to power the studios, without air conditioning or proper broadcasting capacity.
He noted that this directly affected the station's inability to take live feeds or scheduled broadcasts led to a staggering 96% advert non-compliance rate. This, in turn, caused a severe drop in revenue as advertisers saw no value in airing content that never reached the public.
Nsor informed that one of his first interventions was the reactivation of a 60kVA generator that had been abandoned since January 2023 due to stolen AMOK cables. Furthermore, he introduced a "electricity tripod" plan which was:
- Migration from 11kVA to 33kVA Band A power supply,
- Purchase of a new 100kVA Meccano generator with a diesel distilling line,
- Installation of a solar power system to drive 24-hour broadcasting.
The third leg of the "electricity tripod" plan, according to Nsor is yet to be achieved but the corporation now enjoys 33kVA Band A power, with a new transformer and substation, although this has pushed monthly electricity bills from ₦300,000 to ₦3.6 million. The new generator is also fully operational.
With these changes, the corporation has slashed its advert non-compliance rate to a mere 2%, mostly due to human error, which is often corrected through advertiser make-goods.
In addition to power and infrastructure upgrades, CRBC has embraced digital tools to broaden its reach. The introduction of Radio Garden, which streams radio content online, allows listeners across Nigeria and beyond to tune in. Advertisers are assured that their content runs even when the station is off-air, thanks to the automation of content uploads via RadioBus.
The GM also disclosed that CRBC now has six state-of-the-art 4K and 6K generational cameras, equating the station's visual quality to industry giants like DSTV.
Efforts are also underway to migrate CRBC to satellite broadcasting via the NIGCOMSAT platform. The Managing Director of NIGCOMSAT is expected in Calabar this week to discuss the final technical and financial modalities for migration. This will position CRBC for inclusion on DSTV and make it accessible on free-to-air platforms using strong decoders.
"We're working with His Excellency to finalize funding for licensing, engineering evaluation, and digital infrastructure needed for satellite migration. We expect it to be completed before 2026," the GM said.
Recognizing that a modern work environment requires motivated personnel, the CRBC leadership, with the governor's approval, recently increased stipends by ₦500,000 for the corporation's 123 "artist" staff and has initiated a process to regularize 70 of them into full civil service positions.
"This alone is a major morale booster. We've also improved working conditions across departments," the Nsor noted.
CRBC has overhauled its programming schedule by introducing time-belts tailored for children, youth, and older audiences. Content now includes educational tech shows, music for older generations, children's cartoons, and more. Montages and visuals have also been updated to reflect current realities.
The station is also strengthening its presence on the internet via its website, www.crbconline.org, where users can stream radio and access information.
In terms of revenue generation and returns on investment, The general Manager disclosed that the station remitted over ₦27 million to the government in 2023, a significant leap from previous years. Revenue generation is projected to grow even further once the television arm replaces its 29-year-old transmitter with a modern 1-kilowatt unit, approved recently by the Governor.
Despite these advances, the GM emphasized the importance of maintaining terrestrial transmission even after migrating to satellite.
"Many of our grassroots audiences may not afford DSTV subscriptions. We must continue to serve them. After all, public broadcasting is about the people," he said.
The Media magnet expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and restated his commitment to driving the corporation into a modern, profitable, and accessible broadcast station that delivers value to the people and the government of Cross River State
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