Background
Thanks to the widespread presence of cable since the 1970s, citizens were soon able to access a multitude of television programs. Receiving public channels from the three neighboring countries, residents had access to ten public channels during this period. At that time, 95% of households in Luxembourg lived in localities connected to cable TV.
Since 2008, households have also been able to receive television via an Internet connection. Households can therefore choose between cable, satellite, terrestrial broadcasting and the Internet to receive a full range of television programs.
Providing television in the Luxembourgish language
Since 2006, the terrestrial broadcasting of Luxembourg programs has been in digital format. The daily television service in the Luxembourgish language provided by CLT-UFA has a special status, since this company made a commitment in 1995 - a commitment that was renewed under the agreement signed in 2007 - to provide a public radio and television service in the Luxemburgish language. The convention signed in 2017 extended the public service remit for television for a further three years, from 2021 to 2023, and the concessions and permissions for RTL Radio and Television have been extended until 2030.
Numerous television programs for other countries are broadcast from Luxembourg under a Luxembourg concession.
To be able to broadcast a Luxembourg audiovisual or sound media service, the applicant must first obtain a license from the SMC.
Law on electronic media
The modified law of July 27, 1991 on the electronic media categorizes Luxembourg-licensed programs into the following categories, according to broadcast mode (terrestrial, satellite or cable) and geographic coverage:
- international broadcasting services are broadcast by terrestrial frequency, satellite or cable, and can reach both local and international audiences;
- radio services directed at the resident public are broadcast by terrestrial frequency, satellite or cable, and are intended for all or part of the public resident in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg;
- Luxembourg satellite services;
- Luxembourg cable services;
- on-demand audiovisual media services.
In March 2021, this law transposed the European directive on audiovisual media services. The entry into force of this law has enabled:
- the modernization of the rules regarding commercial communications,
- the strengthening of consumer protection by extending the scope of the law to video-sharing platforms,
- the introduction of new obligations for audiovisual media service providers in terms of accessibility for people with disabilities, and
- the extension of the powers of the Luxembourg Independent Audiovisual Authority (ALIA).