Viewers panic as #BBNaija Channel momentarily freezes amid threats from FG to shut down reality TV show

Viewers of Big Brother Nigeria, BBNaija were on Sunday frustrated as the reality TV channel freezes amid threats from the federal government to shut down the show.

Though the break in transmission of the reality show did not last for over 10 minutes, some netizens had feared there was a connection between the challenge and the supposed directive from the government.

As at the time this report was filed, the transmission of the reality show had been restored.

Recall that Nigeria’s Minister of Information and culture, Lai Mohammed was reported to have ordered the National Broadcasting Commission to shut down the ongoing new season of Big Brother Naija.

According to reports, the acting DG of NBC, Armstrong Idachaba, on Wednesday, July 22, told senior management that he had been ordered by the minister to stop the show over possible risks of a covid-19 outbreak.

Th directive follows an initial authorization by the NBC. A director revealed during the meeting that the commission had rested its query after show organizers, Multichoice gave a detailed account of measures taken to prevent an outbreak including testing the 20 housemates, compulsory two weeks isolation, the constant disinfection of the house and the elimination of live audience-an integral part of the show prior to the pandemic.

Mohammed’s order to the NBC reportedly was also in a bid to remove himself from the notion that he has a vendetta against Multichoice. While the NBC is yet to disrupt the transmission of the show, Idachaba revealed that he may have no other option than to shut it down.