Press Release: State aid: Commission requests Germany, Ireland and The Netherlands to clarify role and financing of public service broadcasters

The European Commission on 3 March 2005 requested clarifications from Germany, Ireland and The Netherlands about the role and the financing of public service broadcasters. Having examined allegations from several complainants, the Commission's preliminary view was that the financing system in practice in these Member States was no longer in line with EC Treaty rules requiring Member States not to grant subsidies liable to distort competition (Article 87).