Press Release: State aid: Commission approves immediate payment of subsidy to France Télévisions and opens in-depth investigation into long‑term funding mechanism

The European Commission authorised payment of state aid of €450 million for France Télévision in 2009 as complying with EC Treaty state aid rules and, in particular, with the Commission Communication on state aid for the funding of public service broadcasters. At the same time the Commission opened a formal investigation to examine whether the funding mechanism for France Télévisions for 2010 and beyond complies with these rules. Opening an in-depth investigation in cases involving major public intervention of this complexity is standard practice and will provide legal certainty. It also provides stakeholders with an opportunity to comment. It does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure.