Preparations begin for new network and programming licences for terrestrial television

The Ministry of Transport and Communications has launched preparations for a new period of network and programming licences for terrestrial television. The new licence period should start on 11 January 2027.

The project will draft decisions on the number of frequencies allocated to the new licence period and on their allocation into multiplexes, and draw up and grant network and programming licences. The project will promote the provision of high-quality, versatile content with nationwide coverage.

The project will take into account the initial experiences of the impacts that the change in terrestrial transmission technology will have. 

Free-to-air terrestrial television channels are currently migrating to the DVB-T2 broadcasting technology. The new broadcasting technology will enable the broadcasting of high-definition programming or a larger number of standard-definition channels. The Finnish Public Service Media Company Yle channels migrated to the new technology on 31 March 2025 and commercial channels will follow on 30 June 2025.

Where applicable, the project's key decisions will be supported by the work carried out in the "Security and new economic growth from information networks" project (TUUTTI), which will shape Finland's communications network policy until 2037.

A study commissioned by Traficom on the scenarios for terrestrial television broadcasting after 2027 will provide background material for the project. The study examines and assesses the impacts of several scenarios on groups such as television viewers, those involved in programming, and network operators.

What’s next?

The Ministry will begin preparations for the project in cooperation with the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom and in broad consultation with stakeholders. The project will include public consultations.

According to the preliminary timetable, the government decree on spectrum use and frequency plan should be issued in autumn 2025. The calls for applications could be launched at the end of 2025 for the network licences and in spring 2026 for the programming licences. The timetable may be changed or revised at the start of the project and as the stakeholder consultations progress.

Inquiries:

Sini Wirén, Senior Adviser for Communications, tel. +358 295 342532, sini.wiren@gov.fi