Lausanne government helps TVRL

Local television The government of the city of Lausanne wants to help Télévision de la région lausannoise (TVRL) make ends meet. It is asking parliament for an interest-free loan of CHF 400,000 to cover the current deficit of CHF 9,000,000 and to ensure liquidity until the end of 2006. At that time, TVRL, together with Ici TV, CNV and Edipresse, wants to establish the cantonal broadcaster Vaud TV and benefit from fee splitting under the new RTVA. The loan from the City of Lausanne could be converted into shares in Vaud TV at this time. The government plans to acquire a 20 to 35 percent stake in the cantonal broadcaster.