Press Release: State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation on Spanish compensation for digital terrestrial broadcasters to free digital dividend

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to examine whether a Spanish plan to compensate digital terrestrial broadcasters for the extra costs of parallel broadcasting, while services are re-allocated to another frequency to free the digital dividend, is in line with EU state aid rules. The Commission will investigate in particular whether the measure is proportionate and necessary. At this stage, the Commission also has concerns that the measure may favour terrestrial broadcasters over other available technologies.

The opening of an in-depth investigation gives interested parties the possibility to comment on the proposed measure and increases legal certainty for the beneficiaries of aid. It does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation. At the same time, the Commission has approved aid to enable certain households to continue receiving free-to-air channels after the reallocation of frequencies.