AGCM

PRESS RELEASE

FAVOURABLE OPINION BY THE ITALIAN ANTITRUST AUTHORITY ABOUT THE TV LICENCE BILL: “BUT COSTS SHOULD BE DISTINGUISHED AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES SHOULD BE KEPT SEPARATE”

The inclusion of the TV licence bill in the electricity bill is acceptable, as long as there is a distinction between the cost for subscription to the public service radio and television broadcaster and to the supply of energy. But, on the basis of an effective competition in the field of advertising, the Antitrust Authority “considers it desirable that there should be a separation between public service activities and the commercial activities of Rai through separate systems that are stronger than those based on financial considerations”.

In an opinion issued under Act No 287 of 10 October 1990 that was sent to the President of Senate and to the President of the House, to the Prime Minister and to the Minister for Economic Development, the Italian Antitrust Authority “judges in a positive manner” the prospect of linkage between the collection of the TV licence fee and the payment for the supply of electricity, both “to reduce the space for evasion” as well as “to reduce the individual fee”. In order to safeguard transparency, the Italian Antitrust Authority, however, urges “appropriate information safeguards in favour of end-users” so as not to compromise “the possibility of understanding clearly the amount of the price that is paid for the supply of electricity”.

In view of the expiry of the public service concession for broadcasting and the pending approval of the new contract of service by Rai, the Antitrust Authority chaired by Giovanni Pitruzzella also notes that this could be “an opportunity to contribute to the process of opening up media markets to competition while at the same time ensuring respect for pluralism in the field of information and for other public service objectives”. According to the Antitrust Authority, these objectives can be reached “through an upgrading of the mission of public service broadcasting and through the recognition of greater independence and autonomy by Rai, even by means of a modern corporate and organizational structure based on rules of corporate operations that make it possible to ensure efficiency and guarantee the effectiveness of public financing”.

Rome, 28 October 2015