Poland

[PL] New Licensing Procedure for Radio and Television Programmes

IRIS 1995-6:1/9

Stanislaw Piatek

University of Warsaw

On 28 February 1995, the President of the National Broadcasting Council announced a new licensing procedure for radio and television broadcasters. The procedure is regulated by the Radio and Television Act of 1992 (Official Journal 1993/7/34).

In the television sector, licences will be allocated for two new television channels. The first channel can be received in the northern part of Poland with a potential audience of about 2 million viewers. The second one can be received in central Poland (which includes Warsaw) and will have a potential audience of 3 million viewers.

POLSAT, the private commercial broadcaster which was granted a licence for a nationwide television programme in 1994, will be given permission to provide three additional channels. Other existing broadcasters (TV WISLA, Canal+ Polska) and local broadcasters may apply for another twelve channels that will become available and that will be situated mainly in the Southern part of Poland. In the radio sector, new frequencies will be made available for approximately 50 AM stations, 110 FM 6674 MHz stations as well as for 255 FM 87.5-108 MHz stations. Over 140 frequencies will be given to three existing nationawide sound radio broadcasters: Radio ZET, Radio RMF FM and Radio Maryja, in order to widen their scope. Yhe remaining frequencies will be divided between new applicants and other existing broadcasters.

The deadline for applications was 26 May 1995. The results should become available before the end of end of November.