Press Release: State aid: Commission opens inquiry into state financing of digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) in German Länder of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia

The European Commission has launched under EC Treaty state aid rules an investigation into subsidies granted to commercial broadcasters for the use of the digital terrestrial television (DVB-T) network in the German Länder of Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia. The Commission will investigate whether these subsidies threaten to distort competition in the Single Market. The investigations launched on 20 July 2006 follow an earlier inquiry into similar subsidies granted in Berlin-Brandenburg which the Commission ruled illegal in November 2005 (see IP/05/1394). The investigation will provide interested parties with the opportunity to comment on the planned measures. The opening of a formal investigation procedure does not prejudge the final outcome.