Israeli Broadcasting Reform Nears Vote Amid Coalition Tensions and Regulatory Changes

The flagship broadcasting reform proposed by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi is approaching a decisive vote but faces significant opposition, including from coalition partners. Last week, the special Knesset committee chaired by MK Galit Distel Atbaryan approved the bill for second and third readings. However, reports indicate that the ultra-Orthodox parties Yahadut HaTorah and Shas have declared their opposition, threatening the reform's progress.

The reform aims to increase competition in sports broadcasting by banning exclusivity and preventing customer lock-in to expensive packages. It also seeks to regulate licensing obligations, grant exemptions from cross-ownership oversight, establish an independent statutory regulatory authority consolidating existing bodies, and ensure investment in original Israeli productions through a phased funding model.

Channels 14 and i24news (Channel 15) stand to benefit as their smaller scale exempts them from new thresholds, allowing regulatory advantages such as no mandatory content carriage, enabling lucrative deals worth tens of millions of shekels annually. Established platforms HOT and Yes may also gain access to previously restricted activities like news broadcasting and advertising sales.

Under pressure from ultra-Orthodox factions, the bill is expected to remove provisions for a government-run app that would provide free access to public content channels and live sports events, originally intended to reduce reliance on costly cable and satellite packages. This app was also meant to allow soldiers free mobile access to sports broadcasts. The ultra-Orthodox parties oppose the app due to concerns over Sabbath violations and inappropriate content, demanding its immediate removal.

This is not the first time controversial sections have been excised; two weeks ago, the bill was split due to incomplete committee readings and sharp disagreements, despite strong objections from the Knesset legal advisor, Attorney Shagit Afek, who emphasized the need for logical coherence in legislative splitting. The upcoming vote is critical as the reform could reshape Israel's broadcasting landscape and affect public access to content.

Separately, the government plans to cut 92 million shekels from Arab employment integration programs, and national elections are scheduled for October 27, adding urgency to legislative decisions.