Vocento to launch Regional DTT TV network
March 26, 2010
From David Del Valle in Madrid
Spanish media group Vocento, owner of national DTT channel Net TV, is preparing to launch a private Regional TV network through DTT across the country in direct competition with FORTA, the Federation of public Regional TV stations.
Vocento has a number of Local and Regional DTT licences, along with a nationwide multiplex (with up to five channels) to be allocated following the analogue switch-off scheduled for next week.
“We have that possibility (of launching a Regional DTT network) and we are the only one in Spain to be able to operate a Regional TV network, a kind of a private FORTA sponsored and supported by our Regional brands”, said Jose Manuel Vargas, CEO of Vocento.
He urged the Government to eliminate advertising on public Regional TV stations following the model of state-owned group RTVE which, since January, does not broadcast advertising at all in compliance with the new legislation. “It does not make any sense allowing advertising revenues on a Regional level when they have disappeared on a national scale”, Vargas concluded.