MTV rejects Elisa’s renewed offer to broadcast ice hockey world championship finals live

Finnish telecom operator Elisa said Friday that broadcaster MTV has again rejected its proposal to restore live broadcasts of the men’s ice hockey world championship games—including the finals—on Elisa’s cable TV and Elisa Viihde platforms.

MTV’s channels disappeared from Elisa’s services in mid-May after the broadcaster terminated its distribution agreement with the operator. Elisa claims the move affects around 800,000 households, limiting their access to nationally significant events as defined by government decree, such as the ice hockey world championship.

While MTV is fulfilling its legal obligation by airing Finland’s games, semifinals, and the final for free on its terrestrial channels, Elisa argues this does not meet the law’s intent. “In our view, MTV is not ensuring the practical fulfillment of the legally mandated requirement,” the company stated.

Finnish law designates the ice hockey world championship as a socially significant event, requiring matches involving the national team to be broadcast on free-to-air channels.