Television broadcasting

The Ministry of Transport and Communications is responsible for regulating and promoting TV broadcasting, for legislation relating to the Finnish Broadcasting Company YLE and public service, as well as for the state Television and Radio Fund. The Ministry is also responsible for preparing operating licences for TV broadcasting.

Finland completed its switch-over to digital TV transmissions in antenna networks on 31 August 2007. Analogue TV broadcasts via the cable networks were discontinued on 29 February 2008. The switchover to digital TV broadcasts is based on a Government resolution adopted on 4 March 2004.

YLE’s duty as a public service broadcaster

YLE’s activities are based on law. YLE’s duties include the provision of a diverse range of public service programming for everyone on equal terms. Parties responsible for the Company’s operations are the administrative organs defined by law, ultimately the Administrative Council elected by Parliament.

YLE’s public service operations are currently funded through television fees. YLE is not permitted to broadcast advertisements. The definition, funding and administration of the public service provided by YLE are being reformed. A parliamentary working group on YLE’s reform submitted its final report in April 2009. The proposals are being discussed further.

Operating licences

Television broadcasting in a terrestrial media network in Finland requires an operating licence from the Government. In the case of television broadcasting for a short period of time, the necessary operating licence must be obtained from the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA). YLE is not required to obtain an operating licence for television broadcasting in frequencies that have been allocated to it by the Government in its frequency plan. The television network is the responsibility of Digita Oy, which has Government licences for providing network service.

Further information

Ms Elina Normo, Senior Adviser, tel. +358 9 160 28463, firstname.lastname@lvm.fi
Mr Jussi Mäkinen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 9 160 28498, firstname.lastname@lvm.fi