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Digital Policy Min.: We are optimistic about the next day in the TV landscape

We are optimistic about the next day in the TV landscape, Digital Policy Minister Nikos Pappas said on Friday, in statements to Greece's public broadcaster ERT.

He noted that in the previous state of affairs, the sole legal channel in operation had actually been closed (ERT), while many channels had been broadcasting without a licence.

Pappas noted that he did not believe that the government had made any mistake as there had been a constitutional impasse: on the one hand, there was the Council of State ruling that the operation of channels without a licence was contrary to the Constitution and, on the other hand, there was a regulatory authority, whose previous administration had not risen to the occasion and had disappointed everyone.

"We were called upon to resolve this legal impasse," Pappas said, adding that no change was later made. He estimated that the price of the licence is reasonable as it is a one-billion-euro market and the state will receive 250 million euros.

Asked about the 7th licence, for which no party expressed interest, he said that a new tender will be launched based on the law.

Regarding digital radio, he said that it was included in the prior actions and discussed with Greece's partners.