Spain: 8 more DTT channels face closure
April 22, 2014
From David Del Valle in Madrid
The shutdown of nine DTT channels in Spain by a May 6th deadline may be followed by the closure of another eight DTT channels if the Supreme Court accepts the appeal made by the company Infraestructuras y Gestión 2002 – which has argued that these additional channels also got their licences unlawfully.
The Spanish government has admitted it is a possibility, and that it would significantly reduce the DTT channels on offer even more. Infraestructuras y Gestion 2002 has made an appeal requesting the Supreme Court to execute the ruling and close down all the 17 affected DTT channels.
The plaintiff argues that only seven channels were awarded legitimately through a public tender, but not the other 17 which should cease their broadcasts following the Supreme Court’s ruling.
A decision from the Supreme Court is expected over the next weeks. The government’s plans to award the licences again, this time through a public tender – which could now be delayed until a final decision is taken.