No withdrawal of Tele Oberwallis
Now that the license has been granted, Canal 9 faces major challenges.
The initiators of the Valais Wallis TV project accept the Federal Council's decision and congratulate Canal 9 on receiving the license," wrote Christian Stärkle, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Tele Oberwallis, in a communiqué on 6 November. At the same time, he made it clear that the Valais Wallis TV project is now over. In addition to Tele Oberwallis, the newspapers Walliser Bote and Le Nouvelliste, the weekly newspaper Le Confédéré and the local radio stations Rottu, Rhône FM and Chablais were also behind the Valais Wallis TV project.
Against this concentrated media power in Valais, the small French-language Canal 9 in Sierre has now won the new concession for the whole of Valais, including the Chablais region. The supporting association of Canal 9, which is now also called Kanal 9, was founded by the young Chamber of Commerce of Sierre. The aim was to promote training in audiovisual techniques. Even today, anyone from Valais can learn how to make television at Canal 9 in free evening courses.
Despite 25 years of expertise, Canal 9 faces major challenges with its new license: In mid-2009, a 20-minute German-language program window will initially be broadcast in the Upper Valais on weekdays. This will then be expanded to one hour per day in three stages. First of all, however, a studio for the Upper Valais must be set up in Brig or Visp, an eleven-strong editorial crew hired, technical distribution throughout the concession area ensured and the association's statutes adapted.
At the same time, however, Canal 9 has to reckon with competition in the Upper Valais. Christian Stärkle is not giving up. "Tele Oberwallis will continue to broadcast in its current form for the time being and will then reorient itself," he writes. The info channel, which is currently on air between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., will remain the main component.
Markus Knöpfli
Against this concentrated media power in Valais, the small French-language Canal 9 in Sierre has now won the new concession for the whole of Valais, including the Chablais region. The supporting association of Canal 9, which is now also called Kanal 9, was founded by the young Chamber of Commerce of Sierre. The aim was to promote training in audiovisual techniques. Even today, anyone from Valais can learn how to make television at Canal 9 in free evening courses.
Despite 25 years of expertise, Canal 9 faces major challenges with its new license: In mid-2009, a 20-minute German-language program window will initially be broadcast in the Upper Valais on weekdays. This will then be expanded to one hour per day in three stages. First of all, however, a studio for the Upper Valais must be set up in Brig or Visp, an eleven-strong editorial crew hired, technical distribution throughout the concession area ensured and the association's statutes adapted.
At the same time, however, Canal 9 has to reckon with competition in the Upper Valais. Christian Stärkle is not giving up. "Tele Oberwallis will continue to broadcast in its current form for the time being and will then reorient itself," he writes. The info channel, which is currently on air between 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., will remain the main component.
Markus Knöpfli
