Ownership scrutiny for Polish media companies

Chris Dziadul | BroadBandTV News

Poland’s National Broadcasting Council (KRRiT) has called on all TV and radio broadcasters holding a Polish licence to submit details of their current ownership structure.

In a statement, it says that “the submitted documentation must take into account the ownership structure of the partners/stockholders/stockholders of the company, as well as their associates, shareholders or stockholders and their further partners, shareholders or shareholders, in particular indicating the percentage of stocks / shares and the registered offices or permanent place of residence of the mentioned entities”.

It adds that alongside this a full list of the companies’ parent entities must be submitted. KRRiT’s action follows a resolution it made on September 22 along a decision to award a licence to the Discovery-owned news channel TVN 24.

Quoting KRRiT’s spokeswoman Teresa Brykczynska, Press.pl reports that media entities must reply within 21 days of receiving the summons and failure to do so could result in a fine not exceeding six months of their income.

Significantly, any irregularities in TVN’s ownership could ultimately result in the regulator refusing to issue a terrestrial licence for the channel TVN 7. Its current licence expires on February 25, 2022.

Source: BroadBandTV News