TV companies want to sue Poland for supporting TVP

According to the Pressservis portal, Polish commercial TV channels intend to seek compensation from the State Treasury for the losses they have suffered as a result of the change in broadcasting standard. It is estimated that Polsat itself lost around PLN 100 million in advertising revenue in this way.

The stations are waiting for the lawsuit until next year, because then, in accordance with the decision of the Ministry of the Interior, the Telewizja Polska channels will switch to a new broadcasting standard.

In favor of TVP

Recall that in the spring of this year the standard of on-air television broadcasting has changed. Currently the channels are broadcast in the DVB-T2/HEVC standard. This means better picture quality, room for more channels, but in many cases also the need to replace the TV or buy a set-top box.

The decision to change the broadcasting standard was caused by the release of part of the frequency band for the needs of mobile operators, who needed it to launch 5G technology.

At the last minute, the Ministry of the Interior issued a decree exempting MUX, which broadcasts Telewizja Polska’s channels, from having to upgrade to a higher standard until the end of this year. This means that those who have not replaced their TV or bought a set-top box and are still using terrestrial TV can only receive TVP. According to commercial broadcasters, this favors the public media.

Ombudsman intervenes

In July, the Ombudsman intervened. In his opinion, this situation violates the constitutional right to information and the principle of media pluralism.

“Not without significance - in the light of the decision, which may be valid until December 31, 2023 - the circumstances of the elections to local governments and parliament, which, according to the election calendar, should take place this year” – we read in a letter sent by the Ombudsman Marcin Wionczek to the President of the Office of Electronic Communications.

According to the ombudsman, the decision to broadcast TVP channels in the old format meant that about 2.5 million Poles had access only to content broadcast by pro-government public television. This is a particularly worrying situation as local and parliamentary elections are due next year.

“Not only free elections, but also freedom of speech and, in particular, freedom of political debate, together are the foundation of any democratic system.” writes the Ombudsman.