Latvia's Tet to End Paid Terrestrial TV Service in 2027

Latvian telecom company SIA Tet announced that it will cease providing paid terrestrial television from 1 January 2027 after its service licence expires. The service will remain available at the current scope and quality until 31 December 2026.

Chief executive Uldis Tatarčuks said the decision reflects a decline in demand for over‑the‑air TV as viewers shift to digital platforms, as well as the lack of economically viable terms in the upcoming public tender. Tet will not submit a bid for the next tender round and will instead offer individual support to affected customers, proposing alternative solutions such as internet‑based TV services.

Tet has been supplying paid terrestrial TV since the 2009 digital rollout that replaced analog broadcasting. A 2022 reallocation of frequency bands for mobile communications reduced the network’s capacity, and a 2025‑26 tender for a new service period received no bids, underscoring the market’s challenges.