Swedish language 'pushed off TV screens'

[Aptrgangr]

Swedish language 'pushed off TV screens'

Published: 11th October 2007 08:07 CET

Online: The Local - Swedish language \'pushed off TV screens\'
The amount of Swedish-language programming on Sweden's network television channels has fallen drastically over the past few years, with mainly English language imports taking up much of the slack.

The amount of Swedish programming in public service channels SVT1 and SVT2 has fallen significantly, according to a study by journalism professor Kent Asp.

The number of Swedish factual programmes fell 14 percent between 1998 and 2006, the number of feature films and drama or comedy series fell 35 percent and Swedish-language light entertainment programmes fell 26 percent.

The fall in the total amount of Swedish programmes was stemmed somewhat by a rise in the time given to news programmes and breakfast TV. Despite this, Asp said the falls in other areas represented a marked weakening of the Swedish programme offering.

The number of foreign TV shows on Swedish network television has increased by 30 percent in the past three years, said Asp.

Asp came to the conclusions as part of a study commissioned by parliament on how SVT and commercial network channel TV4 live up to their public service remit. Asp also criticized TV4 for not devoting enough time to culture programming. He said culture was given the lowest priority in TV4's schedule.

Overall, Asp said that SVT and TV4 were fulfilling their remit, although said there was room for improvement.

The Local - Swedish language \'pushed off TV screens\'

[durum]

this is a extremly sad truth in todays sweden,and in the other scandinavian countrys to i would guess.the advanced understanding of our old languages will be lost .

[Marcus Marulus]

It is rather remarkable - though a negative phenomneon nonetheless, because it implies weakening of the national culture and language - because that would mean the majority of Swedes understand English so well, that they don't mind if TV programmes are in Swedish or English.

[durum]

yes, very much so. and also swedish movies are starting to become more unusualeon on the swedish cinemas,its american culturale-imperialism.

[durum]

yes ,the understanding of the english language in sweden is very good.

[Blood Axis]

He said culture was given the lowest priority in TV4's schedule.

I noticed that especially in TV4, the quality of the programm has significantly declined from last year. Too many imported shows & re-runs of ancient series, not to mention the lack of the swedish language in most programms, most of which are uninteresting anyway...except perhaps the swedish version of "Deal or No Deal"

[Susi]

Aren't there any "Swedish content" laws?

[Crvena zvezda]

Originally Posted by Susi

Aren't there any "Swedish content" laws?

^ Those would probably fail. There's somekind of law like that in Serbia, but probably 80% of the content end up being footage from concerts, reruns of old programs or repetitive game shows.

Anyways. The fact that a publicly financed network is allowed to show any foreign content is wrong. I mean if the Swedish state finances the programming for the channel, shouldn't 100% of the programming be Swedish.