Ukraine’s 1+1 secures new broadcasting licence

Ukrainian TV channel 1+1 has been granted a new analogue broadcasting licence, despite fears that could have been forced off air.

In a statement to DTVE, a spokesperson for 1+1 confirmed that the National Council for TV and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine had renewed the licence – after 1+1 sounded the alarm at the end of last year that its future may be at risk.

“We are sure that public support has prevented the National Council to become an instrument of political pressure on the channel,” claimed 1+1 in a statement.

1+1 made an announcement on December 29 – the last day before the expiration of its previous license for the analogue broadcast of 1+1 – warning that “various sources have informed us of the possible cancellation of the National Council for TV and Radio Broadcasting decision, and of a potential hostile takeover of 1+1 TV Station.”

This was in spite of the fact that the National Council for TV and Radio Broadcasting of Ukraine unanimously voted to extend and reauthorise 1+1’s license on December 15.