Comments invited on memorandum on must-carry obligation of television and radio channels

The Ministry of Transport and Communications invites comments on a memorandum on the must-carry obligation. The deadline for submitting opinions is 25 March 2022.

The must-carry obligation requires telecom operators providing cable television network services to transmit the television and radio programming of the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE in their network. In addition, it obliges the administrators, such as housing companies, of joint antenna networks to ensure that the YLE programmes are available in their systems.

The memorandum suggests that the must-carry obligation regarding YLE television programmes continue unchanged. The obligation on the joint antenna network administrators would be continued too. In addition, it is recommended that the scope of the must-carry obligation be not extended by subjecting new channels to the obligation.

In terms of radio programmes, the memorandum presents reasons for both maintaining and removing the obligation. It would also be possible to ease the obligation for radio programmes. If the obligation on radio was removed or eased, the YLE radio programmes might no longer be distributed by cable and the cable households would have to use alternative ways of reception, such as the antenna network.

The EU Telecommunications Directive allows Member States to impose must-carry obligations, provided that the obligations are regularly reviewed. The purpose of the current memorandum is to assess the must-carry obligation in line with the Directive.

What's next?

The deadline for comments on the memorandum is 25 March 2022. Statements may be submitted by all organisations and citizens at www.lausuntopalvelu.fi or by email to [email protected].

Following the consultation round, Ministry officials will continue the possible preparations for the Act. A possible proposal for amendments would be submitted in autumn 2022. If no amendments to the Act are needed, the assessment of the must-carry obligation would continue on a regular basis in compliance with the Telecommunications Directive.

Inquiries:

Inka Näkkäläjärvi, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 052

Lauri Mustonen, Senior Specialist, lauri.mustonen(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295,42 252

Roosa Patrakka, Coordinator, roosa.patrakka(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295 342 192

Sini Wirén, Director of Unit, sini.wiren(at)gov.fi, tel. +358 295 342 532