According to a survey conducted by the paper among public and commercial television companies in the Netherlands, Wilders' insistence that the 10- to 15-minute feature be screened in its entirety posed the biggest obstacle for the broadcast of the film.

Some companies have expressed caution about airing something which could "encourage hatred and discrimination."

It appears that Wilders will have to launch his film, titled Fitna (Arabic for Trial or Ordeal), on the Internet later this month. Wilders has launched a website on which the film will be shown.

Wilders, leader of the Freedom Party which has nine seats in the lower house of the Dutch parliament, last week rejected calls from Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende to think about the possible consequences and reconsider the plans to release the film.

The yet-to-be-released film has caused outrage in many Muslim countries. The Dutch government has been busy handling government protests and Dutch embassies in Muslim countries are confronted with increasing demonstrations.

Also on Thursday, the Netherlands raised its terrorist threat level from "limited" to "substantial," the second highest of four possible levels, partly due to the film.

The Dutch national anti-terrorism coordinator Tjibbe Joustra was quoted as saying that the extension of the Dutch military mission in Afghanistan until the end of 2010 also contributed to the decision.