Radio broadcasting

The Ministry of Transport and Communications is responsible for regulating radio broadcasting and for promotion and provision of radio broadcasting as a public service, as well as for the state Television and Radio Fund. The Ministry also grants operating licences for radio broadcasting and performs certain duties concerning the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE.

Radio broadcasting is carried out by YLE and by commercial operators. Commercial radio broadcasting in Finland began in 1985.

Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE

The function of the Finnish Broadcasting Company, YLE, is to produce public service programming for access by all under equal terms. The activities of YLE are financed by television fees. YLE is not permitted to broadcast commercial advertising.

The Government ensures that YLE has at its disposal the terrestrial TV and radio network capacity that it requires, and that it can use this capacity appropriately. By means of a frequency plan, the Government allocates YLE a fixed number of frequencies. In cases where an operator other than YLE wishes to apply for a radio licence, the licence decision is made by the Government.

Further information

Mr Jussi Mäkinen, Ministerial Adviser, tel. +358 9 160 28498, firstname.lastname@lvm.fi