Finnish broadcaster YLE is to close digital channel YLE Extra as part of a series of cost cutting measures. YLE is also looking at increasing co-operation between its Finnish and Swedish language news services, but plans to cut radio services have been abandoned. A meeting of the YLE Administrative Council was met by protestors concerned at the possible axing of Swedish youth channel Radio Extreme.
The need for cuts has resulted from a fall in TV licence revenues of so some €10 million caused by discontent with the digital TV service. Part of the problem has been the inability of some set-top boxes to correctly display subtitling. YLE is now considering transmitting a second version of TV1 with subtitles shown in vision.
Analogue switch off took place in Finland on August 31.
