Memo: State aid: Commission welcomes Court judgment on German support for digital switchover in DVBT Berlin Brandenburg case

The European Commission welcomes the judgement of the European Court of Justice upholding a previous General Court ruling which had confirmed a 2005 decision finding that German support to private broadcasters for the switchover to digital television contained illegal subsidies.

The Court confirmed support can only be granted in full respect of the principle of technology neutrality. Exceptions are only possible if the Member States proves that there are structural competition problems from the existing offers of other platforms. The ruling is important for all Member States currently organising or finalising the switchover to digital TV, which will enable Europeans to enjoy new services and profit from enhanced competition for high quality TV.