Three radio frequencies in Budapest open for tender submissions in June

Published: 19 May 2021

The tender notices for the Budapest - Astoria (downtown) site and the Budapest 100.3 MHz and 103.9 MHz regional frequencies were finalised by the Media Council of the National Media and Infocommunications Authority (NMHH) at its meeting this week. The Media Council also imposed sanctions on three rural radios for non-compliance with their contractual commitments.

The Media Council finalised the tender notices for the use of small-community radio media services in Budapest – Astoria (downtown), at a location to be defined later, and the use of the Budapest 100.3 MHz and Budapest 103.9 MHz regional radio media services: offers may be submitted for the calls for tenders on 21 June, 28 June and 30 June respectively.

The body approved of Karc FM Média Kft.’s media service licence for Budapest 95,3 MHz to be connected from 19 May to several rural radio frequency licences, which had earlier been operated connected to Budapest 105.9 MHz licence of the media service provider.

The Media Council issued a HUF 20,000 fine to Körmend FM for broadcasting fewer programmes with Hungarian music, talking, news, as well as programmes for public service, for minorities and helping local public life and everyday local life, and instead broadcasting more music during the examined week than it contractually agreed to. The body levied a penalty of HUF 10 000 on the operator of Mega Rádió in Orosháza for broadcasting less news as opposed to its contractual commitment, while it warned the operator of 104.6 – Best FM in Debrecen for broadcasting fewer public service and talking programmes. When imposing the legal consequences, the Media Council acted reasonably in all cases and considered the fact that the operators were prevented from performing their contractual obligations because of the pandemic too.

The operator of Debrecen TV was warned about its lawful conduct after one of its ÉPI-TECH Magazin shows at the start of February encouraged viewers to buy the products of the show’s sponsor that markets building materials. This is illegal.

When imposing a legal consequence, the Media Council always assesses the type and level of legal consequence based on a gradual approach and the principle of proportionality by taking all the circumstances of each case into account.

The full agenda of the weekly meetings of the Media Council is available on the council’s website together with the minutes of the sessions and all the resolutions – the latest documents are published after the necessary certification and administration processes.