ESA approves extension of Norwegian grant scheme for local broadcasters

The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has today approved an extension of and amendments to a grant scheme to support local TV and radio broadcasters in Norway.

The scheme, which was initially approved in October 2020, aims to contribute to media pluralism, freedom of expression and the strengthening of the democratic function that local audio and video media contribute to society. It sets out to stimulate a quality-oriented and economically viable environment for local media. The scheme aims to achieve this by contributing to the digitisation of local radio, as well as to the production of programs with high technical and content quality, and competence development and cooperation between different local media.

The Norwegian authorities have notified three amendments to the initial scheme:

• The inclusion of on-demand audio-visual media services and on-demand podcast services targeted at a local audience;
• The introduction of a requirement that recipients who produce and publish content must have a responsible editor, and;
• An increase in the maximum operating aid for ethnic and linguistic minority radio stations to NOK 200 000.

The original scheme was approved until 31 December 2026, but will now be prolonged until 31 December 2029. The scheme has an annual budget of approximately NOK 23 million, with a maximum aid cap of NOK 1.5 million per beneficiary per year.

ESA considers that the reasoning underpinning its previous decision remains valid also for the amended scheme, and therefore approves its extension under EEA State aid rules.

You can read ESA's decision here.

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