Government grants radio programme licences in supplementary application round – New operator enters market

Government grants radio programme licences in supplementary application round - New operator enters market

Image: Mika Pakarinen, Keksi/LVM.

On 7 November 2024, the Government granted radio programme licences for a new nationwide frequency block 26, and for 20 individual frequencies in a supplementary application round. Licences were issued to different parts of Finland, including to local radio broadcasting operators.

In the application round for radio licences, which closed at the end of July, a new nationwide frequency block 26, which was released from Yle's Radio Puhe, as well as individual frequencies in different localities, were open for applications.

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom transferred to the Government the decision-making on the applications for frequency block 26 and the 20 individual frequencies. If there is not enough frequency capacity for all applicants or if the licence decision has a significant effect on the development of the communications market, the decision on the licences will be made by the Government.

The licences granted now are valid from 1 December 2024 to 31 December 2029. The end of the licence period corresponds to other local, regional and national radio licences. The licence for the national frequency block is valid from 1 December 2024 to 31 December 2032.

New licences diversify programme supply

As a whole, radio broadcasting subject to a licence will remain largely unchanged in Finland; the programme supply is diverse and the ownership base of radio broadcasting is wide.

With the new licences, a new nationwide radio operator, Mad Men Media Oy, will be launched in Finland, which is expected to increase competition in the radio market and diversify the programme supply.

The most in-demand Helsinki frequency licence was granted to Järviradio Oy's PuheRadio channel, the purpose of which is to supply talk-radio programmes focusing on current issues in the region. New types of content will also be offered to several localities by the newly licensed local radio Cottage Radio Ltd and Sanoma Media Finland Ltd on a new sports topic channel.

The coverage of several existing channels will also expand with the new licences.

Licences awarded by the Government

• Frequency block TK 26: Mad Men Media Oy
• Frequency Helsinki 105,0 MHz: Järviradio Oy
• Frequency Kaarina 91,5 MHz: Mökkiradio Oy
• Frequency Kotka 97,7 MHz: Sanoma Media Finland Oy
• Frequency Kouvola 99,0 MHz: Sanoma Media Finland Oy
• Frequency Kouvola 105,3 MHz: Mediatakojat Oy
• Frequency Kristiinankaupunki 96,1 MHz: Mad Men Media Oy
• Frequency Kruunupyy 88,8 MHz: Mad Men Media Oy
• Frequency Kuopio 104,9 MHz: Savon Media Oy
• Frequency Kuusamo 104,3 MHz: Mad Men Media Oy
• Frequency Lappeenranta 90,5 MHz: Järviradio Oy
• Frequency Mikkeli 96,4 MHz: Sanoma Media Finland Oy
• Frequency Mustasaari 105,2 MHz: Mad Men Media Oy
• Frequency Parkano 95,9 MHz: Mad Men Media Oy
• Frequency Parkano 98,0 MHz: Bauer Media Oy
• Frequency Pihtipudas 92,2 MHz: Sanoma Media Finland Oy
• Frequency Rovaniemi 94,6 MHz: Sanoma Media Finland Oy
• Frequency Salo 90,3 MHz: Sanoma Media Finland Oy
• Frequency Salo 100,8 MHz: Sanoma Media Finland Oy
• Frequency Savonlinna 104,7 MHz: Mökkiradio Oy
• Frequency Sysmä 91,8 MHz: Mökkiradio Oy

Inquiries:

Aino Koskinen, Senior Specialist, tel. +358 295 342 022, [email protected]
Sini Wirén, Director of Unit, tel. +358 295 342 532, [email protected]

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