'All or nothing' for Irish DTT bidders

摘要

Three consortia have tabled "all or nothing" bids for the operation of three commercial multiplexes on the proposed digital-terrestrial television platform in Ireland. The applications of the three groups, which were received by the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) last week, are all conditional upon the three multiplex licences being awarded to one bidder. One Irish broadcaster close to the bidding suggested that this approach "presents the BCI with a huge dilemma", since the Commission would have likely favoured awarding one multiplex to each applicant. The BCI confirmed that all three parties stipulated in their applications that in the event of not winning one licence, they would not pursue licences for the remaining two multiplexes. BCI said: "The parties are interested in three contracts or no contracts. Clearly we are very pleased in the level of interest and from that perspective [the announcement] is to be welcomed."