A Commercial Broadcasting Licence is issued by the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to TV and radio stations that operate on a for-profit basis, distinct from public service or community broadcasters. This covers the bulk of Kenya’s privately owned television and radio stations.
CA Fee Schedule for Commercial Broadcasting
| Licence Category | Duration (Years) | Application Fee (KES) | Initial Licence Fee (KES) | Annual Operating Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial Free-to-Air Television | 10 | 5,000 | 100,000 | 0.4% of annual turnover or KES 80,000, whichever higher |
| Commercial Free-to-Air Radio | 10 | 5,000 | 100,000 | 0.4% of annual turnover or KES 80,000, whichever higher |
| Subscription Broadcasting (Cable/Satellite/IPTV) | 10 | 5,000 | 100,000 | 0.4% of annual turnover or KES 80,000, whichever higher |
| Subscription Management Service | 10 | 5,000 | 100,000 | 0.4% of annual turnover or KES 80,000, whichever higher |
What Distinguishes “Commercial” Status?
Commercial broadcasters are run for profit, funded primarily through advertising or subscription revenue, as opposed to public broadcasters (funded through licence fees/government allocation) or community broadcasters (non-profit, locally owned and operated).
Requirements
- Valid company registration and shareholding disclosure
- Demonstrated financial capacity for the initial licence fee and equipment investment
- Compliance with local content and programming code requirements
- Frequency spectrum availability for the intended coverage area (subject to separate fees)
Application Process
- Submit the Commercial Broadcasting Licence application form to CA
- Pay the KES 5,000 application fee
- CA reviews ownership, technical, and content compliance
- Pay the KES 100,000 initial licence fee upon approval
- Remit the annual operating fee (0.4% of turnover or KES 80,000, whichever higher) every year thereafter, plus separate frequency fees
The turnover-linked annual fee means a small commercial radio station may pay close to the KES 80,000 floor, while a large national TV network with substantial advertising revenue will pay considerably more — keeping the fee proportionate to commercial scale.
