BCC distributes most of radio and TV channels put up for contest

The Broadcasting Coordination Council (BCC) Tuesday allocated 22 licenses for TV channels put up for contest on September 2 and a number of licenses for radio frequencies. Thirty-eight economic entities took part in the contest. Sixteen of them applied for frequencies to start a new activity, 7 – to extend the coverage, while 15 – to introduce new institutions on the broadcasting market, Info-Prim Neo reports. The deadline for applications was October 8. Within 20 days, by October 27, the BCC is obliged to finish the contest and announce the results. Most of the applications were filed by institutions that want to continue their activity, provide new services or extend their operations into other settlements like the public company Teleradio-Gagauzia (CPTG) and Eni Ai from Gagauzia. Though the BCC members had objections as regards the work of the two broadcasters, CPTG obtained new frequencies in Jaltai, Baurci and Cismichioi, while Eni Ai – in Comrat, Congaz, Valea Perjei and Dezghingea. Among the older broadcasting institutions that took part in the contest was the public TV channel Moldova 1, which applied for the old frequency. The BCC members agreed to extend Moldova 1’s license for 7 more years. No other broadcasters applied for this frequency. Some of the new institutions applied for several TV channels in different settlements. These are Media International SRL with Super TV Studio and Media Group Inter Telegrup with Inter TV Studio. Inter TV obtained no frequency. Super TV won frequencies in Anenii Noi, Basarabeasca, Ceadar-Lunga, Balti, Causeni, Floresti, Leova, Ocnita and Orhei. The BCC members favored the institutions that held frequencies earlier and the local institutions that make national products. For example, the TV channel in Donduseni was allotted to the local studio TVD. The local institutions applied more for radio frequencies than for TV channels. Frequencies were offered to the local radio stations in Basarabeasca (Bas FM), Mingir (Radio Mingir), Sangerei (Plus FM) and Causeni (Radio Dor). Among other applicants were the radio stations Vocea Basarabiei, Radio Noroc, Fresh FM, Radio 10, etc. Vocea Basarabiei preserved the old frequencies and obtained new frequencies in Rezina, Soroca, Vulcanesti and Straseni. Radio 10 won new frequencies in Tighina, Edinet and Cantemir. The radio frequencies in Donduseni, Cahul, Falesti and Chisinau were not distributed as none of the applicants garnered more than four votes of at least five required. The given frequencies will be put up for contest again. Six or seven frequencies have not been yet distributed. Their fate will be decided by October 27. Members of the BCC said the court demanded in a decision that the discussions on this issue be postponed owing to certain misunderstandings as regards the selection of one of the applicants (Umor FM).