UBI is a pay-tv business providing the Greek community with 10 TV and 12 radio channels. 80% of the UBI Greek subscribers are over the age of 60.

ERT is a Government channel and currently rating 7th in the Greek TV market, however is a highly respectable channel.

Certain ERT management is in conflict with the direction of the Government and the people appointed by the Greek people.

During the Deputy Foreign Minister Mr. Kassimis’ tour of Australia he clearly advised that ERT would remain FTA in Australia and anyone wishing to rebroadcast as it is as a FTA signal can do so – you can read more about his visit http://www2.mfa.gr/www.mfa.gr/Articl...06_McC1511.htm

Also here in Greek

Ολοκλήρωσε την επίσκεψή του στο Σύδνεϋ, ο υφυπουργός Εξωτερικών, Θεόδωρος Κασσίμης και απόψε βρίσκεται στην Mελβούρνη, δεύτερο σταθμό της περιοδείας του στην Αυστραλία.

Σε συνάντηση του με τον υφυπουργό, ο Συντονιστής του ΣΑΕ κ. Γιώργος Αγγελόπουλος, επιγραμματικά αναφέρθηκε μεταξύ άλλων και στην ERT Sat και ζήτησε από τον υπουργό επίσημη διαβεβαίωση ότι το δορυφορικό σήμα της ΕΡΤ θα συνεχίσουν να το λαμβάνουν δωρεάν οι ομογενείς της Αυστραλίας και της Νέας Ζηλανδίας. Ο υφυπουργός για την ΕΡΤ, ανέφερε ότι όντως θα συνεχίσουν να την βλέπουν δωρεάν οι ομογενείς. Διευκρίνισε δε, ότι και όποιος καλωδιακός φορέας θα θελήσει να δείχνει χωρίς συνδρομή την ελληνική δημόσια τηλεόραση θα μπορεί να το πράττει. (EΡΤ)

And roughly translated into English

He completed his visit in Sydney, the undersecretary of Abroads, Theodoros [Kassimis] and tonight it is found in Melbourne, second station of his tour in Australia.

In meeting his with the undersecretary, the Coordinator of [SAE] Mr. Giorgos [Aggelopoylos], was succinctly reported inter alia also in ERT Sat and asked from the minister official assurance that the satellite signal of [ERT] they will continue receiving him free of charge the fellow countrymen of Australia and her New Zealand. The undersecretary for the [ERT], reported that indeed they will continue see him free of charge the fellow countrymen. It clarified, that also whoever cable institution will want it shows without subscription the Greek public television it might do him. ([ERT])

UBI is simply providing the ERT signal as FTA to the greater community allowing a greater number of people to view ERT.

Upon the publishing of the guidelines (as above) and prior UBI has written to ERT directly advising them that UBI have followed those guidelines and adopted them nearly a year ago.

It’s difficult to comprehend how an alleged copyright infringement that has taken place in Australia be dealt with in Greece with less than 12 hours notice.

UBI will continue to rebroadcast ERT for the benefit of all Greeks including those who have subscribed to UBI until ERT itself or the Greek Department of Foreign Affairs makes it intentions clear.

SelecTV doesn’t pay any money for ERT is not in a position to charge for it.

A failed CEO such as Mr Blomfield shouldn’t be making such comments as he did in NEOS KOSMOS newspaper regarding court cases. UBI looks forwards to Mr Jim Blomfield to take action now against UBI if he thinks he has the necessary facts.

UBI is hopeful for the Greeks that SelecTV continue to service this dedicated ethnic market.

ERT management for more than 2 years have constantly put out tenders for the distribution of the signal worldwide have continually postponed the tender and the parameters of the tender so they are in favour of COMART and no one else. One must wonder what is the point of running a tender if the outcome will always be in favour of Markos of COMART?

UBI will continue to rebroadcast ERT at the expense of UBI for the benefit of the Greek subscribers and of course the benefit of the wider Greek community.