Portugal launches DTT tenders
Deadline is April 22
The first tender encompasses one multiplex for free-to-air TV channels, including the four existing channels RTP1, RTP2, TVI and SIC, and a fifth channel to be auctioned this year.
The second tender covers five multiplexes for pay TV channels.
Bids must be submitted by April 22.
The successful bidders must cover 99% of the Portuguese territory within three years after receiving the licenses, in order to enable switch-off of analog TV broadcasting in 2012.
Many analysts consider this migration timetable to be overly ambitious and are skeptical of the possibility that Portugal will meet the switch-off target, given the low purchasing power of Portuguese households.
The two main criteria for determining the winning DTT platform bid will be the roll-out speed and the contribution made to developing an information society.
Bids for the platform are likely to involve consortia and potential bidders include PT, Sonae.com, Vodafone, Impresa and Media Capital (owned by Spain's Prisa).
Incumbent cable and satellite TV operator, Zon Multimedia (formerly PT Multimedia) is barred from bidding for the DTT license since it already reps more than 80% of the Portuguese subscription TV market.
Within a maximum of six months after April 22 a second tender will be launched for a fifth generalist TV channel. Portuguese groups Cofina and Controlinveste have already expressed their interest in this new channel.
Zon Multimedia's former parent, Portugal Telecom, has also stated that it is pondering a bid for the fifth channel.
