BROADCASTING

THREE LEVELS OF BROADCASTING
Broadcasting in Denmark is organised on three levels.

Nationwide coverage, which consists of DR’s nationwide radio and TV transmissions and TV2’s nationwide TV transmissions. DR (Denmarks Radio) and TV2 are the Danish national broadcasters. DR is a self-regulating public broadcasting agency and TV2 is a public ltd. company.

DR and TV2 recognize certain public service responsibilities. Their programming must aim at quality, versatility and diversity and must aim for objectivity and impartiality in their dissemination of information to the public. Both stations are further obligated to programme for and broadcast to the entire population, including the transmission of programmes aimed at smaller target groups. Consequently, the executives and board of managers of the two stations are solely responsible for programming.

DR and TV2 are each responsible for two television channels, one terrestrial and one satellite. DR has 4 radio channels. DR is financed almost exclusively by licence fees, while TV2 is financed by advertising revenue and other income.

In addition to DR and TV2, a number of private tv- or radio companies also broadcast nationwide through satellite or cable TV.

Regional coverage, which consists of eight regional TV2 TV companies along with DR’s nine regional radio stations.

Local coverage, which consists of about 50 local TV stations and 300 local radio stations. The local TV and radio stations are private enterprises. Local stations are financed by membership and subscriptions and, to some extent, by municipal subsidies, sale of transmission time, and similar means. Non-commercial local stations can also obtain subsidies from the State. Companies, associations and others intending to establish a local broadcasting company must apply
for a licence from local boards organised at the municipal level.

FACTS
Total public spending on television and radio in 2003 is budgeted at DKK 3,480 million. By far the largest part of these funds is acquired by income from television and radio license fees. In 2003, an average Dane watched at least 17 hours of television each week and listened to approximately 23 hours of radio. In a given week, almost 98% of the population listen to the radio and, of this figure, about 83% tune into DR.

PRIVATISATION OF TV 2
In spring 2002, the Danish government decided to privatise the television station TV 2, which had been partially financed by license fees since its beginning in 1988. Prior to 2006, TV 2 is to be sold to a private concern. However, even though the station is to be privatised, it must still abide by certain public service obligations with respect to news and current events and a continued economic commitment to Danish film. (Source: DR and TV2)

ADDRESSES

DR
TV Byen
DK-2860 Søborg
Tel. +45 35 20 30 40
www.dr.dk

TV2/Danmark A/S
Rugaardsvej
DK-5100 Odense C
Tel. +45 65 91 12 44
www.tv2.dk

The Radio and TV Board
Media Secretariat
Vognmagergade 10, 1.
1120 Copenhagen K
Tel. + 45 33 18 68 68
www.mediesekretariat.dk