Greeks raise nearly 250m with sale of four TV licences in great media shakeup

Greece's government launched on 30 August 2016 an auction for four private national television licenses, reducing the number from seven after a heated public debate on corruption in the country.

Eight bidders were billed to take part in the auction during which they wouldn't be allowed to leave the building or communicate with rivals or the outside world until the bidding process was over.

Greek judges decided on 26 October that the auction was flawed, throwing into disarray the initiative of the government.

• Primary Source

Euronews, 31.08.16: Greece launches controversial TV licence auction http://www.euronews.com/2016/08/31/greece-launches-controversial-tv-licence-auction

The Wall Street Journal, 31.08.16: Greece Auctions Off Broadcast Licenses http://www.wsj.com/articles/greece-auctions-off-broadcast-licenses-1472644042

Deutsche Welle, 30.08.16: Greece launches controversial auction for TV licenses http://dw.com/p/1JsgP

Politico, 02.09.16: Greece raises €250 million in controversial TV auction http://www.politico.eu/blogs/spence-on-media/2016/09/greece-raises-e250-million-in-controversial-tv-auction/

Kathimerini, 31.08.16: Auction for TV licenses unfolding in a 'smooth manner,' gov't says http://www.ekathimerini.com/211622/article/ekathimerini/news/auction-for-tv-licenses-unfolding-in-a-smooth-manner-govt-says

Kathimerini, 30.08.16: TV stations, opposition parties slam gov’t bid to muzzle media as tender for permits begins http://www.ekathimerini.com/211606/article/ekathimerini/news/tv-stations-opposition-parties-slam-govt-bid-to-muzzle-media-as-tender-for-permits-begins

The Wall Street Journal, 02.09.16: Greece Raises Around $275 Million From TV License Auction http://www.wsj.com/articles/greece-raises-around-275-million-from-tv-license-auction-1472798217

The Guardian, 02.09.16: Greece cuts TV channels from eight to four in controversial licence auction https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/sep/02/greece-tv-channels-licence-auction

Kathimerini, 02.09.16: Proceeds from TV license auction to be used for social policy, Tsipras says http://www.ekathimerini.com/211695/article/ekathimerini/news/proceeds-from-tv-license-auction-to-be-used-for-social-policy-tsipras-says

EurActiv, 02.09.16: Only four Greek TV channels get licences, eight to close http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/only-four-greek-tv-channels-get-licences-eight-will-need-to-close/

EurActiv, 27.09.16: Commission reiterates approval of Greek TV license tender http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/commission-reiterates-approval-of-greek-tv-license-tender/

EurActiv, 27.10.16: Court rules Greek government-led auction on TV licences is flawed http://www.euractiv.com/section/digital/news/court-rules-greek-government-led-auction-on-tv-licences-is-flawed/

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