The auction of the found television licenses for nationwide broadcasting concluded on Thursday evening, after a marathon bidding process that began on Tuesday.  The four new licenses were won by Skai (43.6 mln euros), Yannis Kalogritsas (52.6 mln euros), Antenna (75.9 mln euros) and Evangelos Marinakis (73.9 mln euros). Savvidis (61.5mln), Alpha TV (61 mln euros), the Cypriot-based venture (18 mln euros) and Star Channel (13 mln euros) are runners-up.
 
Should any of new license holders not pass the necessary asset and wealth inspections, then one of the four runner-ups may claim the license.
 
State Minister Nikos Pappas thanked everyone involved in the process. “The tender was absolutely successful and gives Greece the opportunity to take a step forward to a new television era, where legitimacy is crystal clear” he underlined. “I did not expect such a high price”, he added.
 
Expected revenues will rise when the local and thematic licenses will also be auctioned.