Terrestrial television in Sweden

Regulatory authorities

Responsibility for media regulation in Sweden is shared between supervisory bodies, the spectrum authority, and the responsible ministry.

The Swedish Agency for the Media (Mediemyndigheten) is the main supervisory authority. It grants broadcasting licences for terrestrial television (commercial broadcasters), supervises compliance with the Radio and Television Act, and oversees rules on advertising, sponsorship, accessibility, and protection of minors.
The Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS) is responsible for spectrum management and grants licences to use radio transmitters and frequencies for terrestrial television broadcasting.
The Ministry of Culture (Kulturdepartementet) sets the overall legal and policy framework for the media sector. The ministry prepares legislation, defines public service mandates, and represents Sweden in EU-level media policy matters.

References

Government of Sweden. (n.d.). Ministry of Culture (Kulturdepartementet). [In Swedish].
https://www.regeringen.se/sveriges-regering/kulturdepartementet/

Post and Telecom Authority (PTS). (n.d.). Radio: Regulations and frequency assignments.
https://pts.se/en/radio/spectrum-management/

Swedish Agency for the Media (Mediemyndigheten). (n.d.). The Swedish Agency for the Media. [In Swedish].
https://www.mediemyndigheten.se/

Swedish Parliament (Riksdag). (2010). Radio and Television Act (2010:696). [In Swedish].
https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/radio--och-tv-lag-2010696_sfs-2010-696/

Terrestrial television network

Sweden completed the transition from analogue to the DTT network on 15 October 2007, when the final analogue broadcasts were switched off. The switch-over was carried out gradually on a region-by-region basis between 2005 and 2007.

The nationwide terrestrial broadcasting networks for television and radio are operated by Teracom AB, a state-owned company. The terrestrial network is used for the distribution of television, DTT, and radio services (FM/DAB+).

The DTT platform is organised into multiplexes, each capable of carrying several television channels simultaneously. Historically, multiple multiplexes have been in operation, both public service and commercial broadcasters. However, structural changes have taken place In January 2026, the national channel TV4 and the local channel TV Finland also ceased broadcasting via DTT. As a result, since 2 January 2026, only one multiplex remains in use: MUX 1, which is reserved for public service broadcasting and used by Sveriges Television (SVT) for its free‑to‑air channels. This multiplex is locally breakable, meaning that the same channel can carry region‑specific content in different parts of the country, enabling SVT’s regional news and other local programming.

References

Government of Sweden. (2025). Government inquiry: Distribution of radio and television (SOU 2025:116). [In Swedish].
https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/statens-offentliga-utredningar/2025/12/sou-2025116/

Teracom AB. (n.d.). About Teracom AB.
https://www.teracom.se/

Permits for terrestrial television

Television broadcasting is regulated by the Radio and Television Act (2010:696). The purpose of the law is to protect freedom of expression while ensuring responsible use of broadcasting frequencies.

The Swedish Agency for the Media grants licences and supervises broadcasters to ensure compliance with Swedish media law. Television distributed via cable, satellite, or the Internet (streaming) usually do not require a licence but must follow the rules of the Radio and Television Act, including regulations on advertising, sponsorship, and protection of minors.

Broadcasting television via terrestrial network requires a government licence. The public service broadcaster, Sveriges Television (SVT), is licensed by the government, while commercial broadcasters are licensed by the Swedish Media Authority.

The use of spectrum frequencies for terrestrial television requires authorisation from the Swedish Post and Telecom Authority.

References

Swedish Agency for the Media (Mediemyndigheten). (n.d.). Licensing information. [In Swedish].
https://mediemyndigheten.se/ansokan-och-registrering/regelverk/regler-for-radio--och-tv-sandningar/

Swedish Post and Telecom Authority (PTS). (n.d.). Radio and spectrum.
https://pts.se/en/radio/spectrum-management/

Public service broadcasting

In Sweden, public service broadcasting is carried out by three companies: Sveriges Television AB (SVT), Sveriges Radio AB (SR), and Sveriges Utbildningsradio AB (UR). SVT provides public service television, SR provides public service radio, and UR produces educational programming for both television and radio as well as online platforms.

Sveriges Television AB include the main channels SVT1, SVT2, SVT Barn, SVT24, and Kunskapskanalen (the latter operated jointly with UR). UR provides educational content broadcast via SVT’s channels and digital platforms.

The fundamental legal framework governing public service broadcasting in Sweden is laid down in the Radio and Television Act (2010:696). The overall mission, remit, and operational conditions of the public service companies are further defined by decisions of the Swedish Parliament (Riksdagen) for each broadcasting period. The current framework for 2026–2033 sets out the requirements concerning independence, content obligations, accessibility, regional presence, and the promotion of democratic values.

The public service companies are formally owned by the Administrative Foundation for Sveriges Television AB, Sveriges Radio AB, and Sveriges Utbildningsradio AB. The foundation was created to promote independence for the public service companies; it owns and manages all shares in the three companies and is intended to function as a buffer between the government and the broadcasters.

Since 2019, Swedish public service broadcasting has been financed through an income-based public service fee collected via the tax system and administered by the Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). Formulärets nederkant

References

Foundation for SR, SVT and UR (Förvaltningsstiftelsen). (n.d.). About the Foundation. [In Swedish].
https://www.forvaltningsstiftelsen.se/

Swedish Parliament (Riksdag). (2025). Lag (2025:986) om public service [Law (2025:986) on public service]. [In Swedish].
https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/lag-2025986-om-public-service_sfs-2025-986/

Swedish Tax Agency (Skatteverket). (n.d.). Public service fee. [In Swedish].
https://www.skatteverket.se/privat/skatter/arbeteochinkomst/askattsedelochskattetabeller/publicserviceavgift.4.22501d9e166a8cb399f31dd.html

Must-carry obligations

The must-carry obligations are regulated under the Radio and Television Act (2010:696). The rules aim to guarantee universal access to public service television and apply to both cable television networks and IPTV network operators. Must-carry services must be provided to households without additional charge.

The obligation covers the main public service television channels SVT1, SVT2, SVT Barnkanalen, SVT24, Kunskapskanalen, and educational programming produced by UR when broadcast on SVT channels. In certain cases, local television channels may be subject to must-carry obligations if specific legal conditions are fulfilled. The Swedish Agency for the Media is responsible for supervising compliance with the must-carry provisions and for ensuring that network operators meet their obligations.

References

Swedish Agency for the Media (Mediemyndigheten). (n.d.). Regler för radio- och tv-sändningar och för public service. [In Swedish].
https://mediemyndigheten.se/ansokan-och-registrering/regelverk/regler-for-radio--och-tv-sandningar/

Swedish Parliament (Riksdag). (2010). Radio- och tv-lag (2010:696) [Radio and Television Act]. [In Swedish].
https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/radio--och-tv-lag-2010696_sfs-2010-696/

Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority (Myndigheten för press, radio och tv). Redovisning av uppdrag om vidaresändningsplikt och framhävande av innehåll av allmänt intresse. [In Swedish].
https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/fe8320960b8141d7be94b9524b695ad4/redovisning-av-uppdrag-om-vidaresandningsplikt-och-framhavande-av-innehall-av-allmant-intresse.pdf