Citizens have submitted appeals to the Audiovisual Council regarding the removal of a number of sports television channels ("МАТЧ! ФУТБОЛ 1", "МАТЧ! ФУТБОЛ 2", "МАТЧ! ФУТБОЛ 3", "МАТЧ! ПРЕМЬЕРА", "МАТЧ! ИГРА", "МАТЧ! АРЕНА", "МАТЧ! СТРАНА", "МАТЧ!") from the retransmission packages of multiplex and platform operators, the Audiovisual Council told APA.
Retransmission of foreign television channels is regulated by law
It was noted that, according to the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan "On Media", multiplex and platform operators operating under a license in the Republic of Azerbaijan may retransmit foreign television channels only if they present documents granting such rights (contracts, agreements, permissions, licenses, etc.) to the Audiovisual Council.
Measures taken by the Audiovisual Council
To ensure compliance with this requirement of the legislation, relevant work has been carried out by the Audiovisual Council in recent years. For this purpose, numerous meetings have been held with operators, and both verbal and written recommendations have been provided to them. As a result of the monitoring of retransmission packages from the end of 2024 to March 2025, according to violations recorded, administrative offense protocols were drawn up against more than 20 operators and sent to the relevant courts. Based on court decisions, each of these operators was fined 5,000 manats.
Channels without broadcasting rights and their impact
In addition, investigations conducted by the Audiovisual Council have revealed that some sports channels do not possess broadcasting rights in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan. Local broadcasters have acquired exclusive broadcasting rights in the country for a number of international sports competitions broadcast on those channels, and these competitions are presented on those official channels.
It is clear from the appeals submitted to the Audiovisual Council by broadcasters who have obtained exclusive and non-exclusive broadcasting rights, as well as from ongoing court proceedings, that the "pirate" broadcasting of "МАТЧ ТВ" channels in our country seriously harms their legally protected interests and economic potential. In general, the illegal retransmission (without permission or agreement) of foreign television channels by operators in the territory of the Republic of Azerbaijan seriously damages the country’s image in this field.
Demand to prevent pirated broadcasts
Taking these issues into account, on May 13, 2025, the Audiovisual Council once again officially appealed to multiplex and platform operators, demanding that they cease the broadcasting of "pirate" channels (including the aforementioned sports channels) in their retransmission packages. It was noted that legal measures would be taken against operators who fail to comply with this requirement as of June 1, 2025.
Continuous monitoring and public awareness
The Audiovisual Council once again reminded operators that foreign television channels included in the retransmission packages offered to the public can only be retransmitted if there is a valid document granting the right and if that document is submitted to the Audiovisual Council. Regular monitoring will be carried out in this direction, and the results will be disclosed to the public.
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