Hundreds of thousands of households still without national MTV channel content

Hundreds of thousands of Elisa customers have been without access to the free national MTV channel’s programming since mid-May, following a contract dispute between the broadcaster and the telecom operator, Yle reports.

MTV, now owned by Nordic media group Schibsted after its purchase from Telia in early 2025, is seeking a new funding model to support content investments. Elisa, however, wants to maintain the existing arrangement, under which MTV’s free channels have been distributed via Elisa’s cable network for decades without additional fees for customers.

MTV’s CEO Johannes Leppänen said the dispute centers on securing financing for domestic journalism and other content production, as well as sustaining employment in the audiovisual sector. The ownership change freed MTV from previous competition restrictions tied to Telia, allowing it to renegotiate distribution agreements.

Elisa’s business director Mika Lepistö confirmed that negotiations are ongoing but declined to discuss details. He stated that Elisa remains willing to continue under the old model and does not expect the situation to affect its market position in the near term. Both parties have expressed regret over the impasse.

In the meantime, Elisa customers can access MTV’s programming via over-the-air antennas—though reception varies by location—through a free one-month trial of Elisa’s Viihde Mini service, or by subscribing to MTV’s paid Katsomo+ platform.

Sports and Culture Minister Mika Poutala has suggested potential state intervention if no agreement is reached, citing a government decree that requires socially significant events, such as the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship and key FIFA World Cup matches, to be broadcast on free-to-air channels. The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom has stated that MTV is fulfilling its legal broadcasting obligations and sees no issue with the current situation.