Telesuisse and Bakom want transparency
Television: Cablecom's dual strategy is sparking mistrust and resistance—and not just at Telesuisse.
Television Cablecom's dual strategy is arousing mistrust and resistance - and not only at Telesuisse. "Although we have been in talks with Cablecom for a long time, we were taken by surprise. That's why we requested a meeting," says Filippo Lombardi, President of the private TV association Telesuisse. From the association's point of view, the cable network operator has jumped the gun. On the one hand, because Cablecom submitted an application to be able to offer "sponsored and advertising-supported content" on its info channel (WW 29/04). On the other hand, because they announced plans for a national television channel "Canal Suisse". From mid-2005, it wants to broadcast live from parliament and broadcast highlights from private TVs via this channel. "We would like to know whether and how these two things have been arranged," Lombardi told Werbewoche. So far
The consultations between the Telesuisse Board and the cable network operator have not resulted in either a project or an agreement that could be presented to the members. Rather, they are "still in the clarification phase." For example, the conditions under which Cablecom would distribute private content on the new channel, how this would be financed and who would be the license holder remained open.
Conflict of interest looms
Lombardi believes it would be "fundamentally wrong in terms of media policy" if telecommunications service providers who are monopolists in their area were also granted content licenses. This would lead to "an explosive conflict of interest with other providers". In order to prevent such efforts, the CVP Council of States has submitted a motion. However, he would have no objection to Cablecom taking a stake in a new broadcaster.
Skepticism is also evident from the 25 comments received by OFCOM on the info channel application. According to Alfons Birrer, these reveal "criticism, but also uncertainties about the Cablecom project". Cablecom now has until the beginning of October to amend its application.
Markus Knöpfli
The consultations between the Telesuisse Board and the cable network operator have not resulted in either a project or an agreement that could be presented to the members. Rather, they are "still in the clarification phase." For example, the conditions under which Cablecom would distribute private content on the new channel, how this would be financed and who would be the license holder remained open.
Conflict of interest looms
Lombardi believes it would be "fundamentally wrong in terms of media policy" if telecommunications service providers who are monopolists in their area were also granted content licenses. This would lead to "an explosive conflict of interest with other providers". In order to prevent such efforts, the CVP Council of States has submitted a motion. However, he would have no objection to Cablecom taking a stake in a new broadcaster.
Skepticism is also evident from the 25 comments received by OFCOM on the info channel application. According to Alfons Birrer, these reveal "criticism, but also uncertainties about the Cablecom project". Cablecom now has until the beginning of October to amend its application.
Markus Knöpfli
