Poland's National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) once again hasn't issued its decision regarding licence extension for TVN24 - KRRiT spokesperson Teresa Brykczyńska informed on Tuesday.
TVN24 has been waiting for its broadcasting extension for over 18 months now. The request was sent to the National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) in February of 2020. The KRRiT still hasn't made its decision in that regard. Meanwhile, TVN24 has been granted a Dutch broadcast licence.
KRRiT spokesperson: yet again no decision on TVN24 licence
Another session of the Council was held on Tuesday. "The KRRiT has once again voted on approving and refusing to grant licence to TVN24 channel. Neither proposal won necessary majority," said KRRiT spokesperson Teresa Brykczyńska.
She added that, in the a vote over granting the licence, there were three votes in favour and two against. In the vote over refusing to grant the licence, there were two votes in favour, two against, and one abstention.
The five-person Council needs four votes in favour to make a decision.
"Due to the lack of decision, another vote will be held tomorrow," Brykczyńska said.
"During discussion over licence granting, it was stipulated that its potential approving would not end the issue of adjusting TVN ownership structure to the provisions of the Act. Regarding this issue, separate proceedings will be launched, obliging TVN to adjust its ownership structure to the regulations," KRRiT spokesperson added.
Licence for TVN24
The National Broadcasting Council claims the problem with licence extension for TVN24 lies in the "ownership situation" of the TVN Group. The station's management board reminded in a statement that back in 2015, the KRRiT had approved entry of American capital to TVN, adding that the "ownership structure of the Company is in line with the Broadcasting Act". The management added that "until asking for licence extension for TVN24 channel, TVN ownership structure raised no concerns".
Since 2016 - under the same ownership structure of the company- the KRRiT has already granted broadcasting licences to TVN24 BiS, TTV and TVN International West channels. According to many lawyers, TVN S.A. ownership structure matches legal requirements and should not be an obstacle in licence granting.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP