Germany

[DE] Regional Broadcaster tv.münchen Loses Broadcasting Licence

IRIS 2005-3:1/16

Rainer Großhans

Institute of European Media Law (EMR), Saarbrücken/Brussels

The Bayerische Landeszentrale für neue Medien (Bavarian New Media Office - BLM) has revoked the licence of the regional broadcaster tv.münchen because it failed to submit an acceptable new long-term business structure before the deadline of 20 January 2005.

However, the measure will not take effect until 30 June 2005, in order that a temporary solution might be found, allowing the broadcaster to continue using analogue frequencies. tv.münchen's current business structure, with 60% owned by Thomas Kirch and 40% by the Kanal 1 TV company, has been approved. However, a number of vague statements by Kirch and Kanal 1 owner Hanno Soravia concerning the sale of shares in the company have triggered a call for its ownership structure to be revealed. Despite being asked several times by the BLM, the broadcaster failed to comply with this obligation, which is set out in Art. 29 of the Bayerische Mediengesetz (Bavarian Media Act).

With a view to restructuring by 1 July 2005, tenders will be invited for one local/regional TV channel and RTL's local TV window in the Munich area.