Portugal's ERC suspends enforcement action against LiveModeTV pending review

The Portuguese media regulator, the Entidade Reguladora para a Comunicação Social (ERC), has suspended the initiation of a contravention procedure against the streaming platform LiveModeTV. The suspension will remain in effect until the ERC's Regulatory Council re‑examines the case, following LiveModeTV's registration as a "service audiovisual on‑demand" (SAP) on 30 June.

LiveModeTV, which has been broadcasting free live streams of the 2026 FIFA World Cup games in Portugal, argues that its activity does not fit the SAP classification and contests the regulator's decision. The platform plans to submit detailed documentation to demonstrate that its model differs from traditional television services and hopes the ERC will revise its stance.

The regulator’s statement indicated that “the contravention procedure is suspended until re‑appraisal by the Regulatory Council.” The dispute highlights how digital streaming services are being evaluated under national media law.