חוק הפצת שידורים באמצעות תחנות שידור ספרתיות (תיקון מס' 8 – הוראת שעה), התשפ"ו–2026Distribution of Broadcasts via Digital Broadcasting Stations Law (Amendment No. 8 – temporary provision), 2026 · automatic translation · suggest a correction

Official summary of the law (Knesset)

The temporary provision establishes a new arrangement regarding the payment of distribution fees paid by broadcasting entities for the distribution of their broadcasts through the broadcast distribution system via digital broadcasting stations, known as the "Idan Plus" system. First, it is determined that from 1 April 2026 until 1 April 2029, or until the date on which the operation of the digital broadcasting stations is terminated by law, whichever is earlier, a temporary provision shall apply during which the entity operating the digital broadcasting stations, currently the Second Authority for Television and Radio (hereinafter – the operating entity), shall use only one multiplex for the distribution of broadcasts through them. During this period, an entity whose television broadcasts are distributed through the system shall pay distribution fees according to the amount of its annual income in 2024 from the performance of broadcasts and the provision of services, according to income brackets as detailed below: Such an entity whose income did not exceed 40 million NIS shall be exempt from paying distribution fees; an entity whose income exceeded 40 million NIS but did not exceed 220 million NIS – shall pay 120,000 NIS; an entity whose income exceeded 220 million NIS but did not exceed 600 million NIS – shall pay 600,000 NIS; an entity whose income exceeded 600 million NIS – shall pay 1,300,000 NIS; furthermore, the Knesset shall continue to pay an amount of 5,488,000 NIS per year for the distribution of the Knesset Channel's broadcasts through the system. Furthermore, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation shall bear the remainder of the payments involved in the operation and maintenance of the digital broadcasting stations, however regarding the second through fourth quarters of 2026, the State Treasury shall bear a payment of 790,000 NIS for each quarter. It is also established that during the period of the temporary provision, the State Treasury shall bear expenses incurred by the operating entity or the Ministry of Communications for the handling of malfunctions due to which broadcasts distributed through the system could not be viewed or heard, such that from 1 March 2026 until 31 December 2026 – it shall pay up to 600,000 NIS, and from 1 January 2027 until the end of the period of the temporary provision (on 1 April 2029) – it shall pay up to 200,000 NIS. The temporary provision does not change the existing legal situation, according to which the small channels and the designated small channels are not obligated to distribute their broadcasts through the system, and this obligation applies only to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, to the holders of television broadcasting licenses who are the veteran commercial channels (currently channels 12 and 13), and to the Knesset Channel. The temporary provision also does not change the legal situation in this regard concerning regional radio stations, according to which their broadcasts shall be distributed through the system if they so requested. In addition, a transitional provision is established, which shall apply from 15 June 2025 until 31 March 2026, according to which the arrangement established in the temporary provision that expired on 15 June 2025 (the temporary provision established in Amendment No. 7 to the law enacted in 2024) shall apply to the payment of distribution fees during this period, meaning all commercial television channels and holders of regional radio broadcasting franchises are exempt from paying distribution fees, and the entities paying the distribution fees are the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation and the Knesset regarding the Knesset Channel, while the State Treasury shall pay the remainder of the distribution fees as detailed in the law.

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