Katselutiimejä

Katselutiimejä is a Finnish term that translates literally to “viewing times” and refers to designated periods during which a broadcast program is scheduled to be aired. The concept is used by both public and commercial broadcasters to structure their daily and weekly programming lists, and it forms the basis for audience measurement and advertising planning. In the context of the nationally funded Yle network, katselutiimejä are part of a legally defined schedule that must accommodate public service obligations, such as news, cultural content and educational programming, while also leaving room for popular entertainment.

Historically, katselutiimejä gained importance with the expansion of television in the 1960s. As broadcasting moved from a handful of channels to a multitude of digital platforms, stations segmented their schedules into prime time, daytime, children's and late‑night blocks. The term has also been adopted by audience research firms; they use the exact broadcast windows to collect viewing data and to calculate ratings that drive advertising rates. In recent years, with the rise of on‑demand services, broadcasters are increasingly blending fixe katselutiimejä with flexible streaming options, but the term remains a core part of licensed scheduling and public policy.

Regulatory frameworks, such as those set by the Finnish Communications Regulatory Authority (FICORA), require that major broadcast stations publicly announce their katselutiimejä at least one month before a programming change. This transparency allows consumers to plan their viewing habits and ensures that key public service programs are successfully reached by target audiences.