Press Release: State aid: Commission opens in-depth investigation into new tax based funding system for Spanish public broadcaster RTVE

The European Commission has opened a formal investigation under the EU state aid rules into the new tax based funding system for the Spanish public broadcaster RTVE. Spain is planning to modify the public broadcasting system by abolishing advertising and other commercial activities of RTVE and replacing this source of income by newly introduced taxes on TV and telecommunications operators. The Commission does not object to the modification of the funding system as such, but has doubts concerning the compatibility of the new tax with EU law. In particular, the Commission doubts whether the new taxes are in line with EU rules on electronic communications networks and services. The opening of a formal investigation allows the Commission to examine the measures more closely and gives interested third parties the possibility to submit comments. It does not prejudge the outcome of the procedure.