Spain to allow spectrum leasing by broadcasters

The new Audiovisual law planned to be launched by the Government in the spring will allow the sale or lease of DTT capacity. The move is aimed at guaranteeing the survival of all broadcasters once analogue switch off takes place, reports Rapid TV News. Currently, broadcasters are unable to transfer their television broadcasting rights officially.
Following analogue switch-off in April 2010, commercial broadcasters, Antena 3, Cuatro, la Sexta, Veo TV and Net TV, will each be allocated a full multiplex but will only be able to lease/sell up to half of the capacity.
The new law will also extend the duration of a licence from 10-15 years and legalise the current practice of Veo TV and Net TV by which they allow both Sony Entertainment and Disney to utilise some of their allotted bandwidth allocation.
Source: Rapid TV News
Item added: 22nd December 2008