Television programming licences available for application for the ten-year period beginning in 2027

The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has opened a call for applications for licences for digital television and radio broadcasting, as well as public interest television broadcasting, in the terrestrial television network. The licences available concern the nationwide multiplexes A, B and C in the UHF frequency band, as well as the regional multiplex in Ostrobothnia.

In the current application round, licences for digital television broadcasting operations may be applied for in respect of the full transmission capacity of the multiplexes in the UHF frequency band, insofar as capacity is not reserved for use by the Finnish Broadcasting Company Ltd (Yle) for public service broadcasting. Capacity in multiplex A will primarily be reserved for public service and public interest television broadcasting. Secondarily, licences other than public interest licences may also be granted for that multiplex.

Licences granted for a maximum of ten years

The current licence period for television programming licences expires on 10 January 2027, and the new licences will enter into force immediately thereafter. The licences granted will remain valid until 10 January 2037, unless the applicant requests a shorter validity period.

Traficom grants licences if there is no scarcity of the transmission capacity applied for. “If sufficient transmission capacity cannot be allocated to all applicants, or if granting a licence may have significant effects on the general development of the communications market, the licensing decision will be made by the Government”, says Head of Unit Eliisa Reenpää.

Terrestrial television continues to reach a large proportion of households

Terrestrial television remains a significant means of television distribution in Finland. Although the popularity of terrestrial television has declined, more than one third of households in Mainland Finland still receive television broadcasts through terrestrial distribution. In addition, a very large proportion of holiday homes are within the scope of terrestrial distribution.

In 2025, Finland implemented a major technological transition when television broadcasts moved entirely to high definition.

See the call for applications (in Finnish)