Rui Monteiro:

The Danish radio- and tv-authority has issued 220 broadcast permits in the new digital terrestial network (DTT) for associations and other non-commercial organisations (out of 306 applicants). Starting date is November 1 this year when the analogue tv-network will be closing down. The organisations will be able to broadcast 20 hours per day on a channel of the first multiplex (MUX1) which is otherwise used by public service television. 15 permits are issued for national coverage and the other 205 for broadcasting in eight regional areas.

When issuing the permits the authority has put an emphasis on various program content and in-house productions. On the national scale programs with a broad appeal as well as special programs will be broadcast for example environmental, for women, for elderly and for ethnical groups. The regional broadcasts will have a more local content but still a broad spectrum of various interests including ethnical and religious content.

2010 the organisations with a permit for non-commercial television on DTT will be able to get funding up to DEK 270.038 (€ 36.300) per organisation and permit. Funding comes from the media license fee (former tv license fee). A total of €3,5 million will be allloted for 2010.

Denmark is the first EU country to open its DTT-network for non-commercial community televisions.