Channel 10 has once again been saved at the last moment, and once again not for long. Israel's Second Television and Radio Authority last night announced that Attorney General Adv. Yehuda Weinstein has postponed a decision regarding Channel 10 for six months until after the March elections and the formation of a new government.
As a result, the Attorney General has instructed the government to draw up a bill for extending Channel 10's franchise and license conditions for six months. Weinstein said, "Until the completion of the temporary legislation for the franchise the Channel's broadcasts will continue as usual."
Weinstein's decision comes just 24 hours before Channel 10's franchise was due to expire and the TV station would have been compelled to close down. The ruling comes after a day of hectic discussions between Second Television and Radio Authority board members and Deputy Attorney General Avi Licht.
The ruling is not an optimal solution for Channel 10, which had hoped the Second Television and Radio Authority would recommend extending its license by 15 years.
The decision was sent to Channel 10's management.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on December 31, 2014
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