Czechia - Current situation - History
05.01.2024
The ČTÚ announced on 5 January 2024 that the Authority successfully completed the auction procedure for the sale of individual auction blocks offered for the purpose of developing commercial nationwide (Blocks B, C) and regional networks (Blocks R1 - R27) for the distribution of terrestrial digital radio broadcasting (DAB). The auctioned frequency blocks were divided among all eight participants of the tender.
The total auction price for all Auction Blocks was CZK 79,325,000 (c. €3.2m).
"I am glad that we managed to complete the auction successfully, having satisfied all the participating bidders and managed to distribute all the blocks offered. Thus, nothing stands in the way of the further development of terrestrial digital radio broadcasting." said Marek Ebert, Chairman of the CTU Council.
The tender sets out development criteria that should ensure not only the successful development of DAB broadcasting but also the efficient use of the allocated radio frequencies. The all-weather networks are to cover 50% of the population and motorways within 18 months and 80% of the population and motorways within a further 12 months. Regional broadcasts are to cover 40% of the population of the region concerned within 24 months and 70% of the population of the region thereafter.
An amendment to the Electronic Communications Act was passed by the Czech Parliament's Chamber of Deputies on 15 September 2021, granting Czech Radio the right to operate its own digital radio network in Band III and reservation of frequencies/spectrum by the Czech Telecommunication Bureau.
Czech Radio has one regular multiplex, available for 95% of the population of the Czech Republic, divided for Czechia and Moravia segment (12C and 12D). Four other multiplexes are on air in the Czech Republic and are operated by TELEKO, Ceske Radiokomunikace, RTI cz and JOE Media.
In 2021 Czech Radio launched two new DAB+ only stations – "Radiožurnál Sport” (CRo-RZ-SPORT) and "Pohoda” (CRo-POHODA), targeted to the 'sports lovers' audience and senior audiences.
In September 2020, Czech Radio launched 10 new DAB + transmitters, increasing population coverage from 85% to 95%.
A brochure highlighting the 15-year history of DAB+ digital radio in the Czech Republic is available in Czech here.
22.09.2023
At midnight on 31 August 2023, the deadline for applications to the tender for DAB+ networks closed. The Czech Telecommunications Authority received applications from nine entities, six of which have deposited a cash guarantee in an amount allowing them to compete for nationwide networks (the first phase of the auction), the remaining three entities have deposited a guarantee in an amount allowing them to participate from the second phase of the auction.
The auction itself is scheduled to take place during October and will be conducted in four auction phases, in which the auction blocks will be allocated successively among the auction participants. The first phase will include auction blocks suitable for nationwide networks, the second phase will include auction blocks for networks covering several regions, and the third phase will include auction blocks allowing coverage of individual regions only. In the fourth phase, auction blocks will be offered without any restrictive conditions to any of the participants in the previous phases.
The invitation to tender was issued on 1 August 2023 for two national and 27 regional broadcasting networks. The national networks are to cover 50% of the population and motorways within 18 months and 80% of the population and motorways within a further 12 months. Regional broadcasts are to cover 40% of the population of the region concerned within 24 months and 70% of the population of the region thereafter.
An amendment to the Electronic Communications Act was passed by the Czech Parliament's Chamber of Deputies on 15 September 2021, granting Czech Radio the right to operate its own digital radio network in Band III and reservation of frequencies/spectrum by the Czech Telecommunication Bureau.
Czech Radio has one regular multiplex, available for 95% of the population of the Czech Republic, divided for Czechia and Moravia segment (12C and 12D). Four other multiplexes are on air in the Czech Republic and are operated by TELEKO, Ceske Radiokomunikace, RTI cz and JOE Media.
In 2021 Czech Radio launched two new DAB+ only stations – "Radiožurnál Sport” (CRo-RZ-SPORT) and "Pohoda” (CRo-POHODA), targeted to the 'sports lovers' audience and senior audiences.
In September 2020, Czech Radio launched 10 new DAB + transmitters, increasing population coverage from 85% to 95%.
A brochure highlighting the 15-year history of DAB+ digital radio in the Czech Republic is available in Czech here.
01.09.2023
At midnight on 31 August 2023, the deadline for applications to the tender for DAB+ networks closed. The Czech Telecommunications Authority received applications from nine entities, six of which have deposited a cash guarantee in an amount allowing them to compete for nationwide networks (the first phase of the auction), the remaining three entities have deposited a guarantee in an amount allowing them to participate from the second phase of the auction. The auction itself is scheduled to take place during October and will be conducted in four auction phases, in which the auction blocks will be allocated successively among the auction participants.
"We are pleased with the interest shown in the auction of frequencies for the operation of commercial DAB+ networks, which is considerable, especially in terms of national networks. We hope that the process will continue successfully and lead to more competition on the radio broadcasting market, more diversity for listeners and overall development in this area," said Marek Ebert, the CTU chairman.
The first phase will include auction blocks suitable for nationwide networks, the second phase will include auction blocks for networks covering several regions, and the third phase will include auction blocks allowing coverage of individual regions only. In the fourth phase, auction blocks will be offered without any restrictive conditions to any of the participants in the previous phases. Participation in each phase is limited on the basis of a defined spectrum cap to allow smaller players to enter the market while maximising the use of all allocations across the Czech Republic.
The invitation to tender was issued on 1 August 2023 for two national and 27 regional broadcasting networks. The national networks are to cover 50% of the population and motorways within 18 months and 80% of the population and motorways within a further 12 months. Regional broadcasts are to cover 40% of the population of the region concerned within 24 months and 70% of the population of the region thereafter.
An amendment to the Electronic Communications Act was passed by the Czech Parliament's Chamber of Deputies on 15 September 2021, granting Czech Radio the right to operate its own digital radio network in Band III and reservation of frequencies/spectrum by the Czech Telecommunication Bureau.
Czech Radio has one regular multiplex, available for 95% of the population of the Czech Republic, divided for Czechia and Moravia segment (12C and 12D). Four other multiplexes are on air in the Czech Republic and are operated by TELEKO, Ceske Radiokomunikace, RTI cz and JOE Media.
In 2021 Czech Radio launched two new DAB+ only stations – "Radiožurnál Sport” (CRo-RZ-SPORT) and "Pohoda” (CRo-POHODA), targeted to the 'sports lovers' audience and senior audiences.
In September 2020, Czech Radio launched 10 new DAB + transmitters, increasing population coverage from 85% to 95%.
A brochure highlighting the 15-year history of DAB+ digital radio in the Czech Republic is available in Czech here.