Go to content

Terrestrial television in Iceland

Regulatory authorities

Responsibility for media regulation in Iceland is divided between an independent supervisory authority and a responsible ministry.
The Icelandic Media Commission (Fjölmiðlanefnd) is the main supervisory authority. It oversees television broadcasters and audiovisual media services under the Media Act (No. 38/2011), which establishes the legal framework for media services in Iceland, including rules on licensing, advertising, protection of minors, and compliance with obligations stemming from the AVMSD. The Ministry of Culture, Innovation and Higher Education sets the overall media policy framework. The ministry prepares legislation, defines public service mandates, and represents Iceland in international and EEA media cooperation.

References

Icelandic Media Commission (Fjölmiðlanefnd). (n.d.). Icelandic Media Commission [In Icelandic].
https://fjolmidlanefnd.is/
Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. (n.d.). Ministry of higher education, science and innovation. [In Icelandic].
https://www.stjornarradid.is/raduneyti/menningar-nyskopunar-og-haskolaraduneytid/
Parliament of Iceland. (2011). Media Act No. 38/2011.
https://fjolmidlanefnd.is/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Media-Act-38_2011.pdf

Terrestrial television network

Iceland completed its analogue television switch-off in 2015.
The nationwide DTT network is operated through a broadcasting infrastructure developed by the public service broadcaster Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV) and the Digital Ísland system, originally run under the Vodafone Iceland name and now fully rebranded as Sýn after the discontinuation of the Vodafone brand in 2025. 
The terrestrial platform carries RÚV’s public service television channels as well as selected commercial services, ensuring universal reach and access to core broadcast content across the country. In addition to RÚV’s own channels, Sýn also distributes its main television channel terrestrially, providing free‑to‑air access (exact multiplex details are not published) alongside its other distribution routes.
Alongside terrestrial broadcasting, both RÚV and Sýn distribute their content through IPTV platforms operated by Icelandic telecom providers and through broadband-based streaming and OTT services, such as SÝN+.
Although the DTT platform remains essential for nationwide coverage and for emergency communications. Most viewing occurs through IP‑based platforms. Private broadcasters, including Sýn, have shifted their operations away from traditional broadcast distribution and toward Internet‑based OTT delivery, with Sýn formally ending distribution of its linear and nonlinear channels over telecom‑operated networks in 2025 in favour of app‑based nationwide OTT access.

References

Government of Iceland. (n.d.). Report on digital television implementation. [In Icelandic].
https://www.stjornarradid.is/media/innanrikisraduneyti-media/media/skyrsla/stafrsjonvskyrsla.pdf
Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV). (n.d.). Digital TV distribution implemented (99.9% coverage). [In Icelandic].
https://arsskyrsla.ruv.is/stafraen-dreifing-sjonvarps-innleidd/ 
Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV). (n.d.). Distribution network. [In Icelandic].
https://www.ruv.is/um-ruv/dreifikerfi-ruv
Sýn hf. (n.d.). Changes in distribution of television services. [In Icelandic].
https://www.syn.is/frettir/breytingar-a-dreifingu-sjonvarpsefnis-synar

Permits for terrestrial television

Any provider wishing to offer television broadcasting or audiovisual media services in Iceland must comply with national licensing and notification requirements under the Media Act.
Television broadcasters operating terrestrial services must obtain a broadcasting licence from the Media Commission. Licences may be issued as general licences, typically valid for up to seven years, or temporary licences, granted for shorter, defined periods (e.g., for special events or experimental services). The licensing framework is platform-neutral and applies to both linear broadcasting and on-demand audiovisual media services.
Licensing conditions cover editorial responsibility, rules on advertising and sponsorship, protection of minors, accessibility requirements, and compliance with the AVMSD, which is incorporated into Icelandic law through the EEA Agreement.
In addition to a content licence, broadcasters using terrestrial transmission must obtain access to radio frequencies under the Act on Electronic Communications. Spectrum management is administered by the Electronic Communications Office of Iceland (Fjarskiptastofa).

References

Althingi (Parliament of Iceland). (2011). Media Act No. 38/2011 [In Icelandic].
https://www.althingi.is/lagas/nuna/2011038.html
Althingi (Parliament of Iceland). (2022). Act on electronic communications [In Icelandic].
https://www.althingi.is/lagas/nuna/2022070.html 
Electronic Communications Office of Iceland (Fjarskiptastofa). (n.d.). Fjarskiptastofa. [In Icelandic].
https://www.fjarskiptastofa.is
Icelandic Media Commission (Fjölmiðlanefnd). (n.d.). Icelandic Media Commission. [In Icelandic].
https://fjolmidlanefnd.is

Public service broadcasting

Public service broadcasting in Iceland is provided by RÚV, the Icelandic National Broadcasting Service.
RÚV’s remit includes news and current affairs, cultural and educational programming, Icelandic-language content, programming for children and minorities, and coverage of democratic and national events. The Act emphasises editorial independence, universality of access, and the promotion of Icelandic language and culture. Each year, the Icelandic Media Commission conducts an independent review to determine whether RÚV has fulfilled its public service obligations.
RÚV operates as a public limited company wholly owned by the Icelandic state under the RÚV Act (Act on the National Broadcasting Service, No. 23/2013). The Act defines RÚV’s mandate, ownership structure, governance framework, and financing arrangements. According to the Act, RÚV is required to provide comprehensive public service broadcasting for the entire population of Iceland across television, radio, and digital platforms.
RÚV’s funding is primarily derived from a public service media tax, supplemented by limited advertising and sponsorship revenue.
Iceland does not designate privately owned broadcasters as public service providers under national law.

References

Government of Iceland. (2013). Act on the national broadcasting service (RÚV Act No. 23/2013).
https://www.government.is/library/01-Ministries/Ministry-of-Culture-and-Business-Affairs/Act%20on%20RUV%20No%2023%202013.pdf
Icelandic Media Commission (Fjölmiðlanefnd). (n.d.). Media legislation. [In Icelandic].
https://fjolmidlanefnd.is/log-og-reglur/
Ministry of Culture and Business Affairs. (n.d.). Media policy. [In Icelandic].
https://www.stjornarradid.is/
Ríkisútvarpið (RÚV). (n.d.). Corporate information and public service role. [In Icelandic].
https://www.ruv.is/um-ruv

Must-carry obligations

Must-carry and must-offer rules are set out in the Media Act (No. 38/2011) and are technology- and content-neutral. Rather than naming specific television channels, the legislation applies to media service providers that have editorial responsibility, serve a significant public interest, and are required to reach the general population.
In practice, these conditions are fulfilled only by RÚV. RÚV has a statutory public service remit and is required to provide comprehensive nationwide coverage, which justifies its inclusion under must-carry obligations. Commercial broadcasters do not have a comparable legal status and therefore depend on commercial distribution agreements rather than statutory must-carry rights. The Icelandic Media Commission is responsible for supervision and enforcement.

References

Icelandic Media Commission (Fjölmiðlanefnd). (n.d.). Icelandic Media Commission (supervisory authority). [In Icelandic].
https://fjolmidlanefnd.is/
Parliament of Iceland. (2011). Media Act No. 38/2011.
https://fjolmidlanefnd.is/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Media-Act-38_2011.pdf
Overview of Nordic terrestrial television regulation | Nordicom
Check Copied to clipboard