Greece changes tack on TV auction
October 31, 2016
By Chris Forrester
Last week’s heavyweight rejection of the Greek government’s handling of an auction covering the ‘flagship’ licensing of four TV channels has forced a rethink.
On October 31st, a cross-party meeting is scheduled to be held in an attempt to re-convene Greece’s National Broadcasting Council (ESR). The idea seems to be that the ESR could issue temporary licences to the four successful bidders during a transitional phase.
“It will now be clear if (opposition party) New Democracy really does have objection as regards institutional issues or if it just doesn’t want the auction to happen and the current regime to be extended,” a source close to Tsipras said, and quoted by news daily Ekathimerini.
The ‘losing’ channels, not successful in the auction, are due to close this week.