Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies, Telecomunications

According to the Latvia State Radio and Television Center, the company's board decided to stop broadcasting OTV due to delayed broadcasting service payments by Ogres televizija, as they have failed to agree on a payment schedule good for both sides.

"The decision to halt providing broadcasting services to Ogres televizija was not easy. We repeatedly met with all the parties involved, including the National Electronic Mass Media Council, however, this was the only solution how to prevent the debt from further increasing in this situation," says Janis Bokta, CEO of the Latvia State Radio and Television Center. "This is the first case when we stop providing services to a broadcaster whose programs are available to the public free of charge."

Since June 1, 2014, the Latvia State Radio and Television Center has been providing five free television channels. With OTV channel being removed, the Center will continue broadcasting four television channels, which will increase the broadcasting service prices for the remaining television companies. "We requested the National Electronic Mass Media Council to inform us about its future plans on which television company could provide the fifth free television channel in order to retain the current costs," says Bokta.