Press Release: State aid: European Commission opens two investigations on Spanish National Transition Plan for digitization and extension of terrestrial television network.

The European Commission has opened in-depth investigations to examine whether two schemes to finance the digitization and extension of the terrestrial television network in Spain are in line with EU state aid rules.

One investigation concerns the Spanish plan to finance the transition to digital terrestrial television (DTT). The Commission has concerns that the measure favours certain technologies to the detriment of others, in breach of the principle of technological neutrality. The second case concerns the implementation of the transition plan in the region of Castilla - La Mancha, where, in addition to a possible technological discrimination, there are allegations of a discrimination against regional and local terrestrial platform operators. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives interested third parties the possibility to submit comments on the proposed measures. It does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure.