• Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Columns
    • Chris Dziadul
    • Julian Clover
    • Robert Briel
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

Serbia re-awards TV licences

August 1, 2022 13.03 Europe/London By Chris Dziadul

Serbia’s Regulatory Authority for Electronic Media (REM) has in controversial circumstances re-awarded national terrestrial TV licences to TV Prva, TV Pink, National Happy TV and TV B92.

Alongside this, it has awarded four national analogue radio licences (Hit Music FM, Radio S, Radio S2 and Play the radio), decided to hold a tender for a fifth national TV licence “due to great interest”, as well as a tender for three local terrestrial TV and 12 analogue radio stations for Belgrade.

Its decision to re-award the four national TV licences has been widely criticised, and in anticipation of this REM said: “The REM Council made decisions in a professional and responsible manner, in accordance with the democratic procedure, appreciating all the circumstances stated in the tender documentation, respecting the opinions of the profession, the public and each member of the REM Council. That is why the REM Council appeals to the broadest public and indicates the need to avoid any kind of manipulation and politicisation in connection with the decisions made”.

United Media, which is part of United Group, said the decision “shows that there is no will to regulate the situation in the media and is yet another proof of the dictatorship in Serbia and of the collapse of institutions that should protect professionalism and objectivity.

“REM’s decision is not unexpected because it was clearly said at the beginning of the competition that every television station will be pardoned for failing to honour regulations and laws in the past.

“REM only seemingly showed that it honours the democratic procedures, but it is completely clear that the competition was essentially a farce and a deception of the public. With their licences being extended, the four national television stations were actually rewarded for violating the law and actively supporting the governing establishment and the politics of the Serbian Progressive Party”.

Commenting on United Media’s channels failing to be awarded a licence, Aleksandra Subotic, CEO of United Media, said: “In their planned program schemes televisions N1 and Nova S offered a quality and attractive program and proved, through their work, that they are guided by the rules of the profession and that their reporting is unbiased and objective.

“They contribute to the truth being heard rather than just the narrative promoted by the governing structures”.

United Media was also critical of the decision to hold a tender for a fifth national licence, referring to it as “an attempted manipulation” and “proof that this is just another authorities’ scenario aimed at shifting the focus to the award of the fifth frequency is also the fact that there wasn’t a single reason why this competition was not called together with the one that ended today”.

Broadband TV News notes that a total of 14 channels – TV Prva, TV Pink, National Happy TV, TV B92 N1, Nova S, TV Tanjug, Kurir TV, Kopernikus, TV K1, TV2, Vesti, BK and Una – bid for national licences. The four winners are all supportive of the current government.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Central & East Europe, Editor's Choice, Newsline Tagged With: REM, Serbia Edited: 2 August 2022 08:50

Avatar photo

About Chris Dziadul

Chris is our Central & East Europe Editor. You can talk to Chris on Twitter @chrisdziadul or by email at cdziadul@broadbandtvnews.com

Latest News

  • Video service usage declines as ad-supported video grows in US
  • TalkTalk Group reorganises leadership ahead of demerger
  • A1 Serbia building FTTH network
  • Zee One Channel returns to television screens via Samsung TV Plus in DACH
  • Government plans Telefónica sale conditions

Most Popular

  • Munich court rules Netflix Is infringing Broadcom HEVC patent
    Munich court rules Netflix Is infringing Broadcom HEVC patent
  • Audiovisual geo-blocking end in sight
    Audiovisual geo-blocking end in sight
  • Canal+ refuses to bid for Ligue 1 rights
    Canal+ refuses to bid for Ligue 1 rights
  • Sunrise deputy CEO Severina Pascu to leave company
    Sunrise deputy CEO Severina Pascu to leave company
  • MainStreaming expands DAZN Edge platform
    MainStreaming expands DAZN Edge platform

Free Ebook

Whitepaper: Why Wi-Fi 6 is Key for ISP Success

Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E client devices are entering the home in an unprecedented way, surpassing 50% market share since their introduction in 2019 (compared to four years for Wi-Fi 5). … [Download the eBook...]

Long Read

Dolby presents its Vision for pay-TV Operators

Facing challenges from all sides, pay-TV operators are in a struggle to maintain their dominance in the new world order of streaming services and smart TVs. Julian Clover speaks to Dolby’s Jason Power.

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Broadband TV News

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2023 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in

 

Loading Comments...