The associations of commercial broadcasters (Vestra), commercial radio stations (VCR) and newspaper publishers (NDP) in The Netherlands have started legal proceedings against the expansion plans of the public broadcasters.
The associations have appealed against a decision by the Secretary of Media, Van Bijsterveldt, who gave permission to the pubcasters to go ahead with a number of new media projects including further expansion of the catch-up TV service Uitzending Gemistn (dowloading of programmes for offline viewing), portals on the digital cable networks, three dedicated mobile TV channels and 12 digital radio stations.
According to the associations, the Secretary has not fully investigated the market distortion effects of the new ventures, “especially at a time when savings have to be made at the public broadcasters.” To add insult to injury, the decison was taken by the caretaker government.
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