The Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (“BAI”) has been advised by the Easy TV consortium that it has decided to decline the BAI’s offer to pursue negotiations for the provision of three Commercial DTT Multiplex Contracts.
The withdrawal of the Easy TV consortium now brings the current DTT licensing process to a conclusion.
The matter will be considered by the Authority at its next meeting on 31st May. Further information will be made available in due course following that meeting.
Background
The original DTT licensing process was undertaken by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (“BCI”). In April 2008, applications were received from three groups and following a competitive application process, the BCI entered into contract negotiations with the first placed group, Boxer DTT Limited in July 2008. In April 2009, Boxer DTT Limited withdrew from the process citing prevailing and anticipated economic circumstances, in addition to challenges in successfully concluding a contract with RTÉ NL, to the satisfaction of both parties, for the provision of transmission services.
In May 2009, the BCI entered into contract negotiations with the second placed applicant OneVision. That consortium was unable to conclude a contract with RTÉ NL, to the satisfaction of both parties, for the provision of transmission services. The BAI withdrew from contract negotiations with the consortium in April 2010. The contracts were then offered to the third placed applicant, Easy TV, in May 2010.
ENDS-
Media Queries to:
Brian Furey
BAI
01-6441200