Poland broadcasting licensing and funding

In the first half of 2026 Poland’s media regulator, the Krajowa Rada Radio i Telewizji (KRRiT), issued 86 broadcast concessions covering new and existing radio and television services. The decisions granted 16 new radio licences, extensions, expansions and 11 new cable‑TV licences, with major beneficiaries including MWE Horizon and several local stations. KRRiT also earmarked seven terrestrial frequencies for upcoming local‑radio concession contests in specific towns, specifying universal‑character programming with a strong local focus.

During the same period KRRiT allocated a substantial funding package to public broadcasters, disbursing 291.2 million zł from licence‑fee revenues. The largest share went to public television (TVP), followed by Polskie Radio and regional public stations, with additional court‑returned deposits. This funding boost came as radio audience reach fell to 60 % of adults, a drop of four percentage points year‑on‑year, prompting concerns about audience decline even as average listening time rose.

Together, these actions illustrate KRRiT’s dual role in expanding broadcast capacity through licences and contests while financially supporting public media amid shifting audience patterns.