📋 Tender Overview
In order to accelerate the expansion of the range of digital radio programmes and to make it easier for operators of private radio stations to finance their programmes, the OVP and the Greens are proposing to relax some of the current restrictions in the Private Radio Act ( 3438/A). Accordingly, in addition to one analogue terrestrial programme, individuals or partnerships will in future be able to broadcast up to six digital terrestrial radio programmes in a coverage area instead of the current two, whereby at the same time no more than 20% of the data rate available on a multiplex platform may be occupied.
The same applies to media associations which, in addition to the now up to six digital terrestrial radio programmes, may continue to operate a maximum of two analogue terrestrial radio stations and a maximum of one third of the terrestrial TV stations receivable at this location.
Furthermore, the maximum number of inhabitants that may be reached by programs of a media network will be adjusted to the population development.
In the explanatory notes to the application, the applicants Kurt Egger (ÖVP) and Eva Blimlinger (Greens) claim that the legal restriction to two digital terrestrial radio programmes from the same broadcaster in the same coverage area dates back to the "analogue age" and is no longer up to date today. DAB+, 5G broadcast and digital streaming channels would have multiplied the playout channels and reduced the risk of dominance of individual broadcasters due to limited frequency capacities.
In addition, reference is made to the very hesitant development of digital terrestrial radio in Austria and economic pressure on radio broadcasters. Egger and Blimlinger do not see the diversity of programs threatened by the relaxations, especially since the regulatory authority is still required to pay attention to program and opinion diversity.
