TV and radio channels from Germany can continue to be broadcast terrestrially in South Tyrol for another five years.
The distribution is enabled through an agreement between WDR Mediagroup, representing the German public broadcasters, and South Tyrol, which has been approved today by the government of the autonomous province in Northern Italy.
The TV channels offered via DTT in the mostly German-speaking region include Das Erste (ARD), ZDF, BR Fernsehen, KiKA, 3sat and ZDFneo. The radio stations, distributed via DAB+, include Bayern 1, Bayern 2, Bayern 3, BR Klassik, BR24, BR Heimat and Die Maus.
For the first time, the new agreement also covers livestreams of the channels offered via DTT and DAB+ in South Tyrol. The province’s broadcast service provider RAS, which is responsible for the terrestrial distribution, is currently working on an app for mobile devices, making livestreams of the German-language channels available in South Tyrol. The app is due to be launched in 2024.
“Radio and TV channels from German-speaking countries play an important role in the protection of minorities,” said Governor Arno Kompatscher. “The collaboration with broadcasters from Germany makes it possible for German-speaking citizens of South Tyrol to access an extended range of information in their native language. For many, the channels from Germany have become an integral part of everyday life.”
