Sweden’s public broadcaster is asking the government for SEK 1.5 billion (€130 million) to cover “extraordinary” transmission costs after TV4 leaves the terrestrial network at the turn of the year.
SVT CEO Anne Lagercrantz says costs will start rising in 2025 and increase significantly from 2026, urging a swift government review to safeguard the terrestrial system’s role in total defence (totalförsvaret).
Why TV4’s exit drives up SVT’s transmission costs
TV4 has confirmed it will stop broadcasting via the terrestrial platform (marknätet) from the turn of the year to focus on TV4 Play and paid distribution. Once TV4 leaves, SVT and Swedish Radio (SR) become the main public service users of the terrestrial network, concentrating fixed distribution costs on fewer actors.
SVT argues this shift will create “extraordinary increased costs” that risk constraining its public service remit unless compensated.
Public service funding 2026–2033 — and why this is extra
Sweden’s public service companies are financed through a dedicated tax with multi‑year funding frames (2026–2033). SVT stresses that the SEK 1.5 billion request is in addition to the ordinary allocation planned for that period.
The broadcaster says that without compensation, the effective reduction of resources would impair its ability to meet mission obligations, including nationwide reach and minority language content.
Total defence and the case for the terrestrial network
Authorities and broadcasters highlight the terrestrial network as a resilient backbone for emergency alerts and crisis communication, particularly if mobile networks or internet access are disrupted. SVT connects the subsidy request to maintaining this capability, framing it as part of Sweden’s broader total defence and preparedness architecture. A rapid decision would, according to SVT, help secure continuity of service under stress scenarios.
What happens next in the government review
The government is expected to process SVT’s request alongside ongoing work on public service regulation for 2026–2033. Culture policy officials will weigh cost, security and universality considerations against the changing market, where streaming dominates distribution and commercial TV reduces terrestrial usage.
Any decision will influence how SVT and SR finance distribution from 2026 and the scope of services they can sustain across Sweden.
SVT’s demand signals the cost pressure on terrestrial broadcasting in a streaming‑led market. The government’s response will shape public media’s distribution model, resilience and reach in Sweden—and will be watched across the Nordic region and the EU for its implications on universal access and crisis preparedness.
