Future of Presse TV still open
The contract between the publisher-owned television station Presse TV and SRG expires at the end of 2008. Negotiations for a new contract are set to begin, but no decision has been made yet. Even for Fibo Deutsch, the managing director of Presse TV, it remains to be seen what the outcome of the negotiations will be.
The contract between publisher Presse TV and SRG expires at the end of 2008. Negotiations are underway for the new contract, but nothing has been decided yet. What is clear, however, is that Presse TV cannot be outsourced to SF info. "A transfer to SF info is not possible, the new SRG concession does not permit this," SRG spokesperson Daniel Steiner told Werbewoche. "Certain first broadcasts may now also take place on SF info, but only under very strict conditions." According to Steiner, now that the new concession has been signed and sealed, SRG wants to start negotiations with the publishers: "Over the course of next year, a decision will be made as to whether and in what form Presse TV will continue to be shown on Swiss television." The lawsuit that Presse TV and Ringier have filed against the program "Kassensturz" should have no influence on the negotiations, according to Steiner.According to Fibo Deutsch, Managing Director of Presse TV, there have been good relations between Swiss television and publishers' television up to now. However, the outcome of the contract negotiations with the SRG is still open to him: "In its new concession, the Federal Council has signaled that it welcomes cooperation between the SRG and private providers such as Presse TV. I therefore assume that the contract will be continued in some form". He explains that the framework conditions have changed in the twelve years of Presse TV's existence: "Digitalization has brought about changes, there are many more platforms for television than before. Presse TV's current broadcasting slot on Saturday evenings on SF 2 could change during the negotiations: "We would like to remain on SF 2; however, there may be more optimal broadcasting slots for some of Presse TV's programs". Deutsch does not believe that the lawsuit filed will have an impact on the contract negotiations: "And even if it does, I have to accept that." It is important to him to defend himself against the reporting of "Kassensturz", which he felt was inappropriate.
