Viasat Denmark changes TV3 terms

Viasat has announced changes to its controversial carriage terms for its TV3 branded channels through Denmark’s antenna unions. The move comes ahead of a hearing by the country’s competition council.

Previously Viasat had stipulated that the TV3 channels be placed in the first TV package alongside any pay-TV channels. In withdrawing the requirement on Denmark’s antenna unions, a popular means of reception, operators are free to place the channels where they choose.

Viasat’s proposals were welcomed by FDA chairman Poul Juul. “The conditions for packaging the TV3-channels have been high on the agenda for FDA and definitely given some hard times in the co-operation with Viasat.” Juul added the dialogue established between Viasat and the FDA in March had given the two parties a greater understanding of each other’s needs.

Kim Poder, CEO, Viasat Denmark said the move was done voluntarily to strengthen relations with the FDA (Foreningen for Danske Antenneanlæg, which represents the various antenna unions. “Regardless of the decision from the competition council, Viasat wants to achieve good relations with both the FDA and the antenna communities. For this reason, Viasat has chosen to amend the conditions for distribution of the TV-channels. We have had a very good dialogue with the FDA and I hope that this will continue in the future”.

Viasat is notoriously stubborn over the distribution of its channels and its mini-bouquet remains absent from the pay packages proposed by the new DTT platform Boxer.