Advanced Television

Spain puts an end to must-carry

March 16, 2010

From David Del Valle in Madrid

The must-carry obligation traditionally imposed on nation wide terrestrial TV channels to open up their signals to cable and satellite platforms for free distribution is coming to an end in Spain.

The new overall TV law (Ley General Audiovisual) frees private TV channels from the must-carry obligation and allows them to negotiate a fee with cable and satellite platforms. The measure is not applicable to public (Regional or National) broadcasters which will still have to give their signal for free.

UTECA, the private TV Association, has welcomed the must-carry elimination arguing that “the must-carry obligation does not make any sense with the analogue switch-off and the diverse offer of digital TV channels”.

Categories: Articles, Broadband, Broadcast, Cable, DTH/Satellite, Regulation