Cablecom rightly removed U1 TV from the analog network
Cablecom was allowed to remove the private broadcaster U1 TV from its analog cable network. The Federal Administrative Court upheld Bakom's decision from late December 2007.
Cablecom has been allowed to remove the private broadcaster U1 TV from its analog cable network. The Federal Administrative Court confirmed the decision made by Bakom at the end of December 2007, stating that the private broadcaster with its program consisting largely of quiz, talk and erotic shows was not entitled to broadcasting as it made no particular contribution to the constitutional mandate, reported the SDA.
The constitutional mandate consists of the dissemination of information on political, economic and social contexts as well as contributions to the development of cultural life. Individual programs of the broadcaster, such as session reporting, were in principle suitable for fulfilling this mandate. However, the judges in Bern ruled that the program as a whole did not meet the requirement. Cablecom had also not discriminated against U1 TV, as the channel had the lowest viewing figures. The channel will continue to be broadcast on Cablecom's digital network. Cablecom needs the space in the analog network for high-definition television, the judges added.
U1 TV had already been taken off the analog network at the beginning of the year after the Federal Administrative Court refused to order precautionary measures. As U1 TV announced last February, 20 people had to leave the station as a result of the shutdown. Ten people were placed with Schweizer Sportfernsehen (SSF). The other ten people were made redundant at the end of April 2008. Psychic Mike Shiva was not among them. The decision of the Federal Administrative Court can still be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court.
The constitutional mandate consists of the dissemination of information on political, economic and social contexts as well as contributions to the development of cultural life. Individual programs of the broadcaster, such as session reporting, were in principle suitable for fulfilling this mandate. However, the judges in Bern ruled that the program as a whole did not meet the requirement. Cablecom had also not discriminated against U1 TV, as the channel had the lowest viewing figures. The channel will continue to be broadcast on Cablecom's digital network. Cablecom needs the space in the analog network for high-definition television, the judges added.
U1 TV had already been taken off the analog network at the beginning of the year after the Federal Administrative Court refused to order precautionary measures. As U1 TV announced last February, 20 people had to leave the station as a result of the shutdown. Ten people were placed with Schweizer Sportfernsehen (SSF). The other ten people were made redundant at the end of April 2008. Psychic Mike Shiva was not among them. The decision of the Federal Administrative Court can still be appealed to the Federal Supreme Court.
