The Polish mobile operator Play has begun to distribute the country’s six leading TV channels without their permission.
Wirtualne Media reports that the channels TVP1, TVP2. TVP3, Polsat, TVN and TV4 have been available to Play’s TV subscribers since the beginning of this week.
It adds that Play has been trying to include the channels, operated by Poland’s three largest broadcasters TVP, Polsat and TVN, since it launched its Play Now TV service on the basis of the must-carry must-offer principle. Having failed to obtain permission, it turned to the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) for help and a few weeks ago the regulator issued a summons, without immediate enforceability, ordering the three broadcasters to make the channels available.
Play has now decided to offer the channels without receiving the formal approvals of TVP, Polsat and TVN.
They are only being made available in its basic package, offered OTT via a set-top box, and not through its mobile application.