Funding of broadcaster through telecom tax is not state aid

The Commission today approved the spanish and french telecom tax to support public broadcasters. The Commission already approved the first part of the French scheme in 2009. However, this first approval is subject to appeal before the Court (see T-520/09).

However, the fact that the funding of broadcasters is compliant with state aids rules does not mean that the fact that the broadcaster funding is based on a tax that only target telecom compagnies is compliant with the EU framework. On the contrary, the Commission started proceedings against such taxes.