Denmark

[DK] Broadcasting Act amended

IRIS 1996-7:1/14

Hanne Sønderby

Danish Ministry of Culture

On 12 June 1996 an amendment to the Danish Broadcasting Act was passed by the Danish Parliament (Folketinget). It enables Danmarks Radio TV (DRTV) and TV2 - the two Danish public service broadcastersto establish new satellite channels.

The passing of the Act is part of the agreement between 7 out of 8 political parties in Parliament ( see elsewhere in this issue of IRIS). The purpose of separating the satellite issue from the rest of the planned amendments is to ensure the indisputable right of DRTV to launch a new channel, DR2, on 30 August 1996. DR2 is to be broadcast by digital as well as analogue techniques by satellite (via Intelsat 1ºW), and can therefore only be received by satellite dish or via cable. This raised the question whether DRTV under the existing Act could broadcast public service programmes which can only be seen by part of the population. With the passing of the 'Satellite Act' this discussion is no longer relevant.

DR2 is to be seen as a supplement to the existing programmes on DRTV, and furthermore it enables Danmarks Radio to experiment with the use of digital technology as a preparation to the planned launch of digital terrestrial channels.