TV Republika Settles License Fee After Rejection of Installment Request

The dispute over TV Republika's license has reached a temporary resolution. The broadcaster, after the National Broadcasting Council rejected its request to spread the license fee into monthly installments, paid the remaining portion of the annual installment in a lump sum, amounting to PLN 1.85 million. The station's president, Tomasz Sakiewicz, announced this decision on February 25, emphasizing that he acted "in accordance with a previous promise." In his statement, he also expressed disappointment with the KRRiT's stance, thanking only those members who "tried to find a legally and socially acceptable solution." Television broadcasting licenses in Poland are awarded through competitions by the National Broadcasting Council, a body established under the 1992 Broadcasting Act. Its decisions can be appealed to administrative courts. The KRRiT considered the television station's request for payment deferral twice, on February 4 and 18. Unanimity among the remaining eight active members was required for its acceptance, as one member, Maciej Świrski, is suspended due to proceedings before the State Tribunal. Ultimately, only two members supported the motion, while two, including Marzena Paczuska appointed by President Andrzej Duda, voted against. Notably, according to media reports, Paczuska, along with two other female members, had supported a solution favorable to TV Republika just two weeks earlier. Her sudden change of position, as reported by Gazeta Wyborcza based on its own findings, may have resulted from pressure from Law and Justice chairman Jarosław Kaczyński, who was reportedly "irritated" by the station's coverage. TV Republika has been operating under legal uncertainty for months. In April 2025, the Provincial Administrative Court annulled the decision granting its license for multiplex 8. The ruling is not yet final, but, as argued by the broadcaster, this situation hampered financial planning and company development, hence the request for payment flexibility. Sakiewicz had previously warned of potential consequences for the entire multiplex 8, suggesting that financial problems of one broadcaster could threaten its existence. TV Republika License Case Timeline: TV Republika's Request: Spreading the annual fee (PLN 1.85 million) into monthly installments → Rejected by KRRiT due to lack of unanimity; License Fee Payment: Partially paid until the end of April → Entire annual installment paid in a lump sum on February 25; License Legal Status: License granted but annulled by non-final WSA ruling → Awaiting final ruling from the administrative court Ultimately, despite the lack of formal pressure from the Council, which was yet to initiate debt collection procedures, the television's management decided to make an immediate payment. Sakiewicz commented on the situation, pointing out a paradox: "The KRRiT has become a party to a process, all consequences of which are to fall on the broadcaster." The case, although financially concluded, reveals broader tensions on the Polish media-political scene, especially within the ruling camp.

Perspektywy mediów: Gazeta Wyborcza and Wprost point to internal conflicts within the United Right camp and the personal influence of Jarosław Kaczyński on KRRiT decisions. TV Republika and portals Do Rzeczy and Niezalezna.pl focus on the aspect of legal uncertainty and the lack of flexibility from the regulatory body.