The Catalan Government sees a political motivation behind the decision
In the current debate about self-determination and independence from
Spain, the Spanish Industry Ministry's plans are far from being "a
technical matter", according to the Spokesperson for the Catalan
Government and Minister for the Presidency, Francesc Homs. The decision
is, “without any doubt”, politically motivated, he stated. Homs
emphasised the fact that the current TV offer in Catalan language in
Catalonia represents between 22% and 24% of the entire free-to-view
offer. By including pay-per-view platforms, satellite and international
TV channels this share is much smaller. Therefore, the reduction of TVC
channels will reduce this share even further.
For this reason, Homs sent a message to the political parties who
claim to defend "bilingualism", which are the Spanish nationalist
parties that are criticising the use of Catalan as the language of
instruction in schools, following the linguistic immersion principle.
Ironically, Homs asked for their support to defend TVC, knowing
beforehand they will not do it. He was referring to the People's Party
(PP) – which runs the Spanish Government – and the anti-Catalan
nationalism Ciutadans (C’s). Homs’ call was a way to underline the
contradictions of those claiming to defend bilingualism but supporting
to reduce the presence of Catalan language in TV below 22%.
Unions criticise the decision, while the Spanish Government argues technical reasons
Trade unions and representatives from TVC workers have demanded that
the Spanish Government allow them to keep the 2 multiplexes, as they are
"essential" to preserve a quality TV offer and to maintain the public
service. In addition, the union of journalists has declared that this is
a "political and ideological decision", and not a technical one. The
Spanish Industry Ministry argues that it needs further space in the TV
radio-wave spectrum to grant mobile phone companies more frequencies to
strengthen 4G technology, following European Union instructions.
However, experts point out that there are other ways to provide 4G
network and, if the Spanish Government insists on using TV multiplex,
there are many other frequencies available, occupied by other television
channels, or it could re-allocate TVC’s second multiplex in a lower
frequency, not used by phone companies. On top of this, they also
criticise how the Spanish Government has managed the TV and mobile phone
spectrums over the last decade, with many technical changes, obliging
consumers to reset their antennae on several occasions (with the
corresponding cost), and with a grey allocation of TV licenses.
TVC, essential for Catalan language and culture
Since its foundation in 1983, Televisió de Catalunya (TVC) has been
an essential tool for normalising the presence of Catalan language in
society, after its persecution and marginalisation during Franco's
dictatorial regime. For many years, it was the only TV station
broadcasting and creating content in Catalan, since the presence of
Catalan in other stations was totally marginal. In the last decade,
smaller private and local TV broadcasters have also been offering
content in Catalan, but TVC continues to play a prominent role, leading
TV audience share in Catalonia and being an essential actor in
Catalonia's audiovisual industry.
TVC has been running 2 multiplexes
With the economic crisis and budget cuts in the public sector, TVC
axed two of its channels two years ago. It merged the cultural Canal33
and the children-focused Super3 channel into a single one, allocating
different time slots to culture and kids’ programmes. In addition, it
cut a channel for TV-series. By doing this, it kept its main channel
TV3, which is TVC's flagship, and its HD version. It also broadcasts the
Canal33/Super3 channel and a 24-hour news channel called 3/24. In
addition, it kept its all-sports channel called Esports3.
Therefore, TVC is currently using 5 channels from 2 multiplexes. 1
channel would be reactivated in a better business environment, as by not
using it it saves some €6 million per year. The 2 other channels were
reserved for Valencian TV and the Balearic Islands channel, following
previous reciprocity agreements between the 3 territories having Catalan
as their native language. However, the regional governments in these
two Autonomous Communities, which are run by the People's Party, are
undertaking anti-Catalan policies, reducing the presence of this
language in school or in the public administration. On top of this, the
PP decided to shut down the Valencian Public TV Broadcaster (RTV), which
was broadcasting in Catalan language, and to cancel shared emissions
with Catalonia for the Balearic Islands' IB3 public broadcaster.
