ZüriPlus fights for space in the Cablecom network
By filing another petition with the Federal Office of Communications (Bakom), the regional TV station ZüriPlus hopes to secure a mandate to broadcast.
The Zurich regional TV station ZüriPlus is fighting for a connection to the Cablecom network. ZüriPlus wants to obtain an obligation to connect to the network by submitting a new application to the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM). A procedure to this effect has been pending with the Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) for two and a half years, although the station, which emerged from the former Hasli-TV, has a broadcasting license for the entire canton of Zurich that is valid until the end of 2008. However, ZüriPlus can currently only be received in Cablecom-independent cable networks in eleven municipalities in the Glattal. The cable network operator Cablecom took ZüriPlus off the network at the end of 2003 after Bakom rejected the obligation to switch it on. ZüriPlus then lodged a complaint with the Uvek.
Peter Steinmann, Managing Director of ZüriPlus, expects a statement from the Uvek in the next two to three months. If the decision is negative, Steinmann intends to submit a new application. The preparations for this have already been made. The new submission envisages a program that is even more strongly geared towards "public service". In addition to regional and cantonal reporting in the areas of information and entertainment, a new regional sports section has been added to the program as well as talk shows in the area of politics. "We also want to dedicate a weekly cultural window to short films in Zurich," Steinmann explains to Werbewoche. "There are an enormous number of original short films in Zurich that are rarely shown on television. With our planned program 'Zürifilm', we want to offer young talented filmmakers the opportunity to show their films to a wider audience," says Steinmann.
This new petition, which Steinmann believes has a higher program value, is unanimously supported by all political parties. A support paper was signed unanimously by the two Zurich Councillors of States and all 34 National Councillors from the canton of Zurich. 140 Zurich cantonal councillors are also of the opinion that ZüriPlus should be broadcast throughout the canton. ZüriPlus has also received a clear endorsement from the Zurich Cantonal Sports Association, which represents over 280,000 sportspeople. ZüriPlus currently employs around seven people at 300 percent. Steinmann hopes to have 20-25 employees again after a positive decision from Bakom.
Peter Steinmann, Managing Director of ZüriPlus, expects a statement from the Uvek in the next two to three months. If the decision is negative, Steinmann intends to submit a new application. The preparations for this have already been made. The new submission envisages a program that is even more strongly geared towards "public service". In addition to regional and cantonal reporting in the areas of information and entertainment, a new regional sports section has been added to the program as well as talk shows in the area of politics. "We also want to dedicate a weekly cultural window to short films in Zurich," Steinmann explains to Werbewoche. "There are an enormous number of original short films in Zurich that are rarely shown on television. With our planned program 'Zürifilm', we want to offer young talented filmmakers the opportunity to show their films to a wider audience," says Steinmann.
This new petition, which Steinmann believes has a higher program value, is unanimously supported by all political parties. A support paper was signed unanimously by the two Zurich Councillors of States and all 34 National Councillors from the canton of Zurich. 140 Zurich cantonal councillors are also of the opinion that ZüriPlus should be broadcast throughout the canton. ZüriPlus has also received a clear endorsement from the Zurich Cantonal Sports Association, which represents over 280,000 sportspeople. ZüriPlus currently employs around seven people at 300 percent. Steinmann hopes to have 20-25 employees again after a positive decision from Bakom.
