Re: Re: TV ads break copyright law

> In addition to Mr Tallmo's remarks, it should thus be noticed, that
>TV4 had never under its 15 years existence shown a film
>without interrupting it, normally for a news program foregone and
>ended with a block of ads (a total break of some 30 minutes).

[...]

>
>Jan Rosen
>

I don't think this is correct. Channel 4 started broadcasting in 1990 but it was not until 1999 they began interrupting films and serials with what was to be coined "fake programs", short hints on books worth reading, info about coming programs, news items etc - all of that with ads attached. And this stirred up rather massive protests among viewers.

At first this strategy was considered a violation of the agreement with the Government, and Channel 4 had to pay around 6 million SEK in fines for this offence. However, the Government proposed a change in the legislation in 2001 so this method to insert commercials in the middle of programs was to become legal. Critics say that the Government yielded to Channel 4's threat to move abroad with their broadcasting (that is outside of Swedish jurisdiction) and thus they could continue cashing in several hundred million SEK each year for the broadcasting license from Channel 4.

Jan, weren't you, BTW, advisor to Channel 4 during this process?

/Karl-Erik Tallmo

    KARL-ERIK TALLMO, writer, editor    

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