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The Swedish Minister of Culture has announced that she favours the introduction of a 6% VAT rate for the exhibition of films in cinemas. Until now, these exhibitions were exempted from VAT. The rate is not expected to influence the film production support system agreed upon between the State and the industry, which is based on a special levy on all cinema tickets.

Negotiations on a second term of licence from 1998 onwards have been opened between the Swedish Government and the licence holder TV 4 AB, by way of a formal notification from the Government on the termination of the agreement. Though the field is, in principle, open for new applicants, TV 4 is expected to get a new licence. The introduction of digital television (see IRIS 1996-4: 11) is expected to influence the licence conditions since the monopoly position of TV 4 as a private commercial broadcaster is likely to end.

A report on the introduction of digital terrestial broadcasting in Sweden commissioned by the Swedish Government has now been published. The report stresses the strategic importance of the development of a terrestial digital network system that is accessible and promotes free competition, as opposed to a closed private monopolised system which would impair the opportunities of efficiently using digital technology. In the report it is proposed that the Swedish Parliament decides in spring 1996 on the digitalisation of the terrestial network. It is also proposed that the development of digital transmitters...

An agreement has been reached between the Liberal, the Centre, and the (ruling) Social Democratic parties on the development of public service radio and television broadcasting in Sweden for the next licence period 1997-2001. Sveriges Radio and Sveriges Television are given new licences for the entire period, whereas the educational services will be reorganised. Decentralization and more independent production are emphasized for the new period.

The Swedish Government has decided to submit a Bill merging several different laws into one. It concerns the laws on broadcasting, cable, and satellite. The only change of substance in the Bill is a slightly more explicit restriction on the showing of violence on television. The Bill does not cover private commercial radio broadcasting since this area is studied in a special parliamentary committee which is to submit its proposals in September 1996.