Austrian public broadcaster ORF will not be able to add video content to its radio station Ö3 and distribute it as a visual radio service on the channel’s website.
Federal media authority KommAustria has rejected the requested approval of the new offering as it would not be covered by ORF’s public service charter.
Ö3-Live/Visual would have complemented the Ö3 radio station with music videos and live images from the radio studio.
KommAustria considered the offering to constitute a TV channel despite it being technically just distributed on the internet. ORF’s public service contract, however, only comprises the existing TV channels ORF eins, ORF 2, ORF III and ORF Sport+, argues the media authority.
ORF wants to take legal action against the decision. “ORF needs the possibility to use the new media platforms for its programmes with offerings such as Ö3 Visual Radio in the interest of its audience and must not be cut off from development opportunities,” ORF’s general director Alexander Wrabetz said in Vienna. “We will therefore submit an objection at the Federal Administrative Court.”
