Press release

The Media Ownership Authority has concluded that TV 2’s acquisition of ownership interest in TVNorge in June 1997 did not lead to any ownership control over TVNorge which qualifies for an intervention from the Media Ownership Authority.

The Act on Media Ownership was adopted 13 June 1997. The Media Ownership Authority may evaluate any acquisition of ownership interest in broadcasting and the press after that date. Before the adoption of the Act, TV 2, the largest private national TV-channel in Norway, made a co-operation agreement with TVNorge which empowered TV 2 to have the final authority over the programming on TVNorge. TV 2 also bought 1/3 of the shares in TVNorge before the adoption of the Act on Media Ownership. The last acquisition was made 26 June 1997, after the Act was adopted. TV 2 gained through the last acquisition ownership of 49 percent of the shares in TVNorge. The Authority’s evaluation with the view of a possible intervention is restricted to the last acquisition of 16 percent of the shares.                                                      

The Media Ownership Authority has concluded that TV 2 does nor have ownership control over TVNorge. The majority owner, Scandinavian Broadcasting System, owns more than 50 percent of the shares, has a majority representation on the board of TVNorge and performs it’s role as majority owner in all fields of activity apart from what is covered by the co-operation agreement with TV 2. The co-operation  agreement is limited to four years, and Scandinavian Broadcasting System may via TVNorge cancel the co-operation agreement on certain conditions.

The consequence of the co-operation agreement between TV 2 and TVNorge is that the number of independent TV-channels is reduced by one. This is contrary to the aim of the Act on Media Ownership, which is to promote the freedom of expression, genuine opportunities to express one’s opinions and a comprehensive range of media. However, the Act does not open for interventions against agreements as such, only agreements which are entered into in connection with acquisitions.

The Authority’s decision is located on the Internet under http://www.eierskapstilsynet.no. Copies will also be forwarded on request.

Press contact: Director General Sigve Gramstad and Deputy Director General Gudbrand Guthus, tel. +47 22 47 68 80.

E-mail: eierskapstilsynet@eierskapstilsynet.no.