The Communications Commission has decided to grant five-year extension to the private broadcasting licenses of ten radio broadcasters: Green Wave, Radio Palitra, Rioni, Art Radio, Radio Imedi, Atinati, Argo, Voice of Abkhazia, Zari and Trialeti. The licenses of these broadcasters were due to expire on December 31, 2021, but in accordance with the changes to the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting, the licenses were extended until December 31, 2026. 

Changes to the Law on Broadcasting came into effect in November 2021 as a result of the joint efforts of the Communications Commission, the Government, and the radio broadcasters. The broadcasters had appealed to the Commission and the Administration of the Government, asking for the radio broadcasting licenses to be extended free of charge, and the debts owed by the broadcasters to the Television and Radio Centre to be cancelled in light of the circumstances caused by the pandemic. As the advertising revenues of radio broadcasters decreased significantly according to the 2020 figures, the Commission, the Government, and the Parliament satisfied the request of the broadcasters. The Parliament amended the Law of Georgia on Broadcasting, while the Government took the decision to cancel the debt of GEL 1.5 million owed by the broadcasters to the Television and Radio Centre, as well as to waive the service fees until the end of the year. 

This process is set to continue, and all radio broadcasters,the already extended licenses of which are due to expire byDecember 31, 2025, will have the license period extended until December 31, 2026 free of charge.