Israel's Second Authority Revokes Small License Status for Channel 14

Israel's Second Authority for Television and Radio has informed Channel 14 that it no longer meets the criteria for a "small license" and will have its status changed to a regular license. This decision means the channel will lose regulatory exemptions previously enjoyed, incurring additional obligations estimated to cost tens of millions of shekels annually, similar to commercial channels 12 and 13.

The change stems from Channel 14's projected 2025 revenues exceeding the 80 million shekel threshold for small license holders, as stipulated by law. Consequently, the channel will not be included in the list of small license holders in 2026. The new status will require Channel 14 to fulfill obligations from which it was previously exempt, including paying license fees and establishing a separate, fully independent news company.

According to the Second Authority, the decision followed a lengthy process. The authority stated that it repeatedly requested necessary data from the channel since January 2026, granting extensions. After the channel failed to provide the data by the deadlines, the authority initiated three enforcement actions. Even after the channel submitted financial data, disputes continued, with the authority claiming that Channel 14 reclassified some revenues as "digital revenues" without providing supporting evidence.

The authority demanded clarifications and calculations but stated it did not receive all requested information. Channel 14 subsequently announced it was "suspending cooperation" with the process. The Second Authority clarified that the channel was obligated to provide the information, and in its absence, a decision would be made based on available data. Ultimately, the authority determined that the reclassification of revenues as "digital" could not be substantiated, leading to the conclusion that Channel 14's relevant 2025 income surpassed the 80 million shekel limit, disqualifying it from small license status.