Israeli Communications Minister Plans to Remove Free Streaming App from Broadcasting Law Amid Ultra-Orthodox Pressure

Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi is seeking to remove the provision for a free government streaming app from the Broadcasting Law following pressure from ultra-Orthodox parties. The app was initially promoted as a key public benefit when the law was introduced nearly two years ago, intended to reduce reliance on expensive cable and satellite packages and allow soldiers to watch sports games for free on mobile devices.

Karhi's shift comes amid concerns from ultra-Orthodox factions about potential Sabbath violations and inappropriate content on a publicly funded platform. Despite earlier promises that the app would lower viewing costs and expand access, especially for soldiers, the minister is now attempting to delete this section from the legislation.

With the app's removal, the law will instead focus on establishing a new regulator with authority over media rating measurements and will eliminate structural separations between media owners and news companies. This change is expected to ease pressure on editorial independence and lift existing restrictions on cross-ownership, benefiting channels 14 and 15.

The move is widely seen as a concession by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government to maintain the right-wing and ultra-Orthodox coalition ahead of upcoming elections, even at the expense of public advantages originally promised by the reform.