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Frikanalen is a Norwegian non-commercial television channel operating in the public access format. The primary language of broadcasting is Norwegian, with some programming also in English. The channel was founded in 2008 as an "open channel" (open channel) designed to give non-commercial organizations, voluntary associations, and individuals access to nationwide television broadcasting without editorial censorship. Frikanalen is owned by the association Foreningen Frikanalen, which includes approximately 50 direct members and 130 associated members from across Norwegian civil society. The channel is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, and its purpose is to strengthen freedom of expression and participatory democracy by enabling more people to express themselves through the television medium.

On air, Frikanalen features programming produced by a wide variety of contributors, including humanitarian organizations, cultural groups, religious communities, sports clubs, hobbyists, and individuals. The channel operates without prior censorship, and the editorial responsibility for each program lies with the organization or individual that produced it, not with the channel itself. This model has been described by its leadership as "Youtube on TV." Specific programs documented on the channel include Random Aussies, a travel documentary series exploring Australian towns and cities; Tellus TV, a program made by and for people with developmental disabilities; a weekly rugby league highlights show from the European Rugby League Federation; and political content produced by Norwegian political parties during election campaigns. The channel provides a platform for content that would not otherwise be broadcast on commercial or public television.

Frikanalen is available throughout Norway via digital terrestrial television (DTT) on the RiksTV platform, as well as on cable networks and IPTV providers including Telenor (Te-We), Telia, GET, and Canal Digital. The channel has a must-carry status, meaning all Norwegian cable providers and distribution networks are required to carry the channel by law. The channel's license was approved by the Norwegian Media Authority on March 14, 2008, and it began test transmissions in the autumn of 2008 before officially opening on January 8, 2009. The channel was initially allocated a 24-hour channel but during the digital switchover period shared capacity with local television stations, broadcasting between 12:00 PM and 5:30 PM daily. Today, the channel broadcasts 24 hours a day.

The channel has received approximately 10 million Norwegian kroner in state startup support from the Ministry of Culture to build infrastructure and ensure a predictable operating framework. A permanent annual operating grant of 1 million kroner was established from 2011 onward. In exchange for state funding, the channel is required to provide access to all political parties and election lists, particularly during the three-week period leading up to national and local elections. The channel does not carry traditional advertising. Sponsorship of programs is permitted under certain conditions, and sponsored content must be clearly disclosed to viewers. The channel is governed by an independent board of complaints to handle disputes regarding allocation of airtime and scheduling, operating on objective, transparent, and non-discriminatory criteria.

Frikanalen strives to be the civil society's video platform, providing democratic access to television broadcasting for organizations and individuals who are otherwise excluded from mainstream media. The mission of the channel is to give voice to as many people as possible and to strengthen media literacy, creative expression, and civic engagement across Norwegian society. The channel has no religious, ethnic, or other particular profile that would exclude groups from participation. According to audience data, the channel had a potential reach of approximately 400,000 viewers at the time of its launch, with negotiations ongoing to expand to approximately 1.5 million households. The channel is also developing technical solutions to enable user-controlled live broadcasts directly to the channel and continues to work on improving its online video distribution platforms. Thanks to its must-carry status and distribution agreements, Frikanalen provides the opportunity to watch its programming on any device, ensuring that diverse voices from across Norwegian civil society can reach audiences throughout the country.

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