76 applications for 54 radio and TV licenses
At the end of August 2007, the Federal Office of Communications had issued a call for applications for 54 licenses for local and regional FM radio and regional television programs. A total of 76 applications were received by Friday. Fifty-five applications were submitted for the 41 radio licenses, and 21 applicants applied for the 13 regional television licenses.
At the end of August 2007, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) put 54 licences for local-regional VHF radio and regional television stations out to tender. A total of 76 applications had been received by Friday. A total of 55 applications were submitted for the 41 radio licenses, while 21 candidates applied for the 13 regional television licenses. In the case of radio, a distinction is made between commercial radio stations with a performance mandate, which receive no fees, and complementary stations, which receive a share of the fees. 31 applications were received for the 20 commercial radio licenses with a performance mandate. There were 24 applications for the 21 radio licenses with a performance mandate and a fee component. There is no such distinction for regional television. 21 applications have been submitted for the 13 TV licences put out to tender.
Bakom does not seem surprised by the large number of applications: "I was expecting more," says Deputy Director Matthias Ramsauer. The applications will be made available to the public before the end of the year. This will be followed by a public hearing. According to OFCOM, the applications will be evaluated as part of a criteria competition.
The licensing of radio and television broadcasters by the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) can be expected from early summer 2008. As Raumsauer says, OFCOM will probably award the licenses in stages: Where there is only one application, the license may be awarded earlier, provided the application meets the requirements. In the contested regions, the unsuccessful applicants will be able to appeal.
Bakom does not seem surprised by the large number of applications: "I was expecting more," says Deputy Director Matthias Ramsauer. The applications will be made available to the public before the end of the year. This will be followed by a public hearing. According to OFCOM, the applications will be evaluated as part of a criteria competition.
The licensing of radio and television broadcasters by the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) can be expected from early summer 2008. As Raumsauer says, OFCOM will probably award the licenses in stages: Where there is only one application, the license may be awarded earlier, provided the application meets the requirements. In the contested regions, the unsuccessful applicants will be able to appeal.
