Czech TV chases RLF dodgers

The Czech public broadcaster CT has filed lawsuits totalling CZK35 million (€1.24 million) against almost 28,500 viewers defaulting on receiver licence fee payments. CT is gradually withdrawing advertising and will be commercial free from 2008, when the receiver licence fee will cost CZK135 a month per TV household. Separately, the most watched cable and satellite-delivered channel in the Czech Republic in the second half of 2006 was Ocko, with an average of 185,000 viewers each day and 648,000 each week. Spectrum (452,000 viewers each week) and CME-backed Galaxie Sport (428,000) came in second and third place respectively. (CD)