IBA Renews 16 Broadcasting Licences, Approves Category and Station Name Changes
By Staff Reporter
LUSAKA, August 25, 2026 — The Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA) Board has renewed the broadcasting licences of 16 media organisations operating across Zambia and approved applications by three broadcasters to change their licence categories.
The decisions were made during the Authority’s recently held 46th Ordinary Board Meeting, following an assessment of the applicants’ compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements.
In a statement issued in Lusaka, IBA Director-General and Board Secretary Webster Malido said the renewals were granted in accordance with Section 28 of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act No. 26 of 2010.
The renewed licences cover community, religious-community and commercial radio stations, one community television station and a subscription-management service operating in various districts.
Stations granted renewed licences
The broadcasters whose licences were renewed are:
Shekainah Community Radio, a community broadcaster operating in Chingola;
Namwianga Community Radio, a religious-community station based in Kalomo;
Salvation Army Radio, a religious-community broadcaster operating in Chikankata;
Breeze FM Radio, a commercial station based in Chipata;
Kwenje Community Radio, a community broadcaster serving Chama;
Nyimba FM Radio, a commercial broadcaster operating in Nyimba;
PASME Community Radio, a community station based in Petauke;
945 Metro Sports Radio, a commercial broadcaster operating in Lusaka;
Tuta FM Radio, a commercial station based in Mansa;
Bangwela FM Radio, a community broadcaster operating in Samfya;
Direct Connect Talk Radio, also known as DC Talk Radio, a commercial broadcaster based in Lusaka;
Kokoliko Radio, a commercial station operating in Chingola;
Kanchibiya FM Radio, a community broadcaster based in Kanchibiya;
Radio Maria, a community broadcaster operating in Chipata;
Lumen Television, a community television station based in Lusaka; and
Strong Technologies, a subscription-management service operating from Lusaka.
The IBA said all the renewed licences would remain valid for five years, subject to payment of the prescribed fees and continued compliance with the IBA Act, broadcasting regulations, licence conditions, guidelines and standard operating procedures.
The five-year validity period does not exempt the broadcasters from their continuing regulatory responsibilities. Licence holders will be expected to comply with the conditions governing their respective broadcasting categories throughout the duration of their renewed licences.
Three broadcasters move to commercial category
Apart from renewing the 16 licences, the Board approved applications from three broadcasters seeking to change their broadcasting licence categories.
The applications were considered under Section 27 of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (Amendment) Act No. 26 of 2010.
The Board approved an application from Chisamba FM to change its licence category from community broadcasting to commercial broadcasting.
It also authorised Blessings Miracle Television, commonly known as BMTV, to move from the religious-community television category to the commercial category.
Miracle FM Radio was similarly granted permission to change its broadcasting licence category from religious-community broadcasting to commercial broadcasting.
The approvals mean the three broadcasters will now operate under the regulatory and commercial conditions applicable to their newly authorised categories.
A commercial broadcasting licence generally permits a station to operate as a profit-oriented media business, although it must continue observing the applicable broadcasting laws, programming standards and licence conditions.
Chisamba FM and BMTV adopt new names
The IBA Board also approved applications for two broadcasting stations to change their operating names.
Chisamba FM, based in Chisamba District, has been authorised to change its name to Mwomboshi FM.
Blessings Miracle Television, based in Lusaka District, will now operate under the name Beacon Media Television.
The changes follow the Board’s approval of the stations’ respective applications. The affected broadcasters will be expected to use their approved names in their operations and comply with any regulatory requirements associated with the changes.
Broadcasters reminded about renewal deadlines
The Authority has meanwhile reminded all licensed broadcasters to submit applications for licence renewal at least six months before their existing licences expire.
The applications must be accompanied by all required documentation and payment of the prescribed fees.
According to the IBA, submitting renewal applications within the required period allows sufficient time for regulatory review and helps prevent disruptions that could arise when a broadcaster’s licence expires before the renewal process has been concluded.
Broadcasters that fail to submit complete applications within the required timeframe risk encountering licensing complications and possible interruptions to their operations.
IBA reaffirms commitment to professional broadcasting
The Authority said it remained committed to promoting a professional, diverse and accessible broadcasting sector in Zambia.
It urged all licensed broadcasters to continue operating in accordance with their licence conditions, the IBA Act, broadcasting regulations, guidelines and established programming standards.
The IBA is responsible for regulating Zambia’s broadcasting industry and ensuring that radio and television services operate within the country’s legal and professional framework.
The latest renewals retain a mixture of community, religious-community and commercial broadcasters across several provinces, including stations serving audiences in Lusaka, Eastern, Copperbelt, Luapula, Muchinga and Southern provinces.
The inclusion of community broadcasters is particularly significant because such stations provide locally focused information and programming to audiences that may not be adequately served by national media organisations.
Commercial broadcasters, meanwhile, contribute to diversity in entertainment, news, sports and public-interest programming while operating within the business and regulatory conditions attached to their licences.
The Authority said it would continue monitoring all broadcasters to ensure compliance with their approved licence categories and programming obligations.
The statement announcing the decisions was signed by IBA Director-General and Board Secretary Webster Malido.
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