On 23^rd November the New Audiovisual Communication Decree in the Basque Country came into effect. This new decree promulgates the Law 7/2010 of 31^st March, pertaining to Audiovisual Communication Services and supersedes all prior legislation in the Basque audiovisual sector.

The text consists of 32 articles divided into 6 chapters and covers, among others, the following issues: the freeing up of community-oriented and commercial audiovisual communication services, the temporary validity of Basque audiovisual licenses and greater flexibility when selling or granting licences after 2 years have elapsed.

The new legislation establishes the guidelines which will be used to assess the projects which apply for new TDT and radio licences at future selection meetings.  In article 10 of the decree the 5 areas which are to be assessed in the public tenders are established. They are the following: scheduling proposal, economic and structural proposals, technological proposal, the fostering of plurality in audiovisual communication services, creation of employment and commitment to transmitting programs in Basque language.

Therefore, in the tenders to determine the awarding of licences in television communication services, at least one license will be reserved for the integrated transmission in Basque in all areas of the Basque Country.  In regards to the tenders for the awarding of FM radio licences, at least one third of licences in areas with a population greater than 100,000 inhabitants will be reserved for integrated transmission in Basque.

This new framework supersedes all prior guidelines established in the Basque audiovisual sector. The three prior decrees are therefore repealed.