The Latvian regulator NEPLP has exclude 38 TV channels from the list of audiovisual services allowed to be retransmitted in the country.
Among the better-known foreign ones are BBC Earth, Discovery World, CBS Drama (EMEA), Disney XD, Rai Uno, TRT World, TVE International Europa and Outdoor Channel.
In a statement, Ivars Abolins, chairman of NEPLP, said: “The decision was made by compiling the information provided by the cable TV service providers, as well as by contacting the channel representatives. From the information obtained, the Council is satisfied that cable providers are no longer using them, have not included them in their listings for several months or that the channels no longer have a valid licence.
“This is the first result of the audit of the cable operator industry launched by NEPLP, which will be followed by several other important steps that will make the industry more transparent”.
Ilmars Muuls, chairman of the board of the Latvian Electronic Communications Association (LEKA), emphasised that what had happened was the result of joint work between NEPLP and the industry. “The cable television register has been put in order and I see it as a very positive step”.
