In conformity with EU law, under the Hungarian legislation preserving Hungarian language and culture, only composition in Hungarian or in the language of nationalities in Hungary may be include in the national quota. This requirement, however, does not apply to instrumental compositions where the definition focuses on being a part of “Hungarian culture or the culture, related to Hungary, of a nationality recognised by Hungary”.

The relevant Act sets a quantitative quota for airing Hungarian musical compositions on the basis of annual broadcasting time and requires this quota to be met in linear radio media services, with the exception of local media service. Sections 21 (1)-(2) of the Media Act stipulate that in linear radio media services at least 35 per cent of annual total programme time dedicated to broadcasting musical compositions shall be allocated to broadcasting Hungarian composition. The quota for public service and community channels is 50 per cent. Another requirement is that at least an annual average of 25% of the repertoire of Hungarian musical compositions to be broadcasted in linear radio media services is from compositions released within five years or produced within five years; the rules must be observed even in the programming slot between 5 a.m. and 12 a.m.

When verifying the fulfilment of music quotas, the National Media and Infocommunications Authority evaluates hundreds of thousands of items of airplay data, mostly extracted from self-declarations submitted by media service providers.

In 2015, four of the national and regional radio stations failed to meet the quota on Hungarian music. On an annual basis, the percentage required for the airplay of Hungarian tracks no older than five years has not been reached by three stations.