Radio Metro and Radio Rox, has been issued a fine of almost 7000 euros by
The Norwegian Media Authority. The reason is exceptional by European standard, the two local radio stations wanted to stay on air on FM, but was not allowed.
According to the Digital Switchover Plan, all national broadcasters had to switch of their FM transmitters in 2017. In the big cities this
also applied to the commercial local radiostations, regardless if they wanted to stay on FM or not.
Almost all local radio stations was given an extension on their FM licence, 187 local stations in all. But the Parliament decided that larger
mainly commercial radio stations in and around Oslo, Bergen, Trondheim and Stavanger was to be denied an extension on FM, out of fear they would steal listeners from the national broadcasters, which are now on DAB only.
In the region of Oslo, Norways largest city (and market), Metro-gruppen and their stations Radio Metro and Radio Rox refused to stop transmitting on FM from december 9th, the day that NRK, P4 and Radio Norge stopped their broadcasts on FM.
Metro-gruppen and their CEO Svein Larsen argued that the case has not yet been investigated by ESA, the Efta Surveillance Authority, and that is was unfair that they were refused to broadcast on FM, for no other reason than to give more listeners to the national channels. They also claimed that P4 and Radio Norge has been broadcasting in some areas after they were supposed to go off air, without any action taken by the authorities.
For the next week, until Dexember 16th, Radio Metro and Radio Rox continued to broadcast on FM in Oslo, a move that the Norwegian Media Authority says was illegal and the two companies have now been fined 57.000 kroner and 10.750 kroner, apprx. 7000 euros in total.
The move has angered many listeners who have started a fundraising to pay for the fine. After three days more than 60 persons or organisations have given more than 10 000 kroner (1000 euros+) and there is still 27 days left of the fundraising.
Follow the fundraising on: Spleis.no External website
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