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On 24 August 2012 the Council of Ministers approved a plan, entitled Plan de Impulso de la TDT y de la Innovación Tecnológica (Promotion Plan for DTT and technological innovation), which aims to support high definition television and 4G mobile broadband services but which will also affect DTT services. Since the switch-off of analogue terrestrial television took place in April 2010 in Spain (see IRIS 2010-6/24), it was decided that the frequencies to be released, best known as the digital dividend, would be mainly dedicated to the provision of 4G services. Nevertheless, the allocation of television...

On 13 July 2012, the Spanish Minister of the Treasury, Mr. Cristóbal Montoro, announced the next VAT rate increase in Spain with respect to cultural industry services (cinemas, concerts and theatres) as of 1 September 2012. Specifically, the rate should increase from the current 8% to 21%, instead of 10%, which was the first proposal, as these services have always been included in the group of reduced tax rates. But as from 1 September 2012 these cultural services should belong to the group of services to which the general rate applies, which will also be increased from 18% to 21%. Therefore, the...

In her regular report to the OSCE Permanent Council on 21 June 2012 the themes highlighted by OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović were Internet regulation and journalists’ safety. The report covers the period from 29 March to 21 June 2012. “A global struggle for control of the Internet is under way,” Mijatović told the council, which is the governing body of the organization. “There are competing views about rights, freedoms, security and regulations online. The discussions of freedoms and rights and the discussions around security often appear to be running on parallel...

On 24 August 2012, the Spanish government decided to relax the conditions imposed by the Spanish Comisión Nacional de la Competencia (National Competition Commission - CNC) for the acquisition of La Sexta by Antena 3. Exceptionally, the Spanish government may authorise economic concentrations on general interest grounds notwithstanding the negative opinion of the CNC. On 15 March 2012 Antena 3 had notified to the CNC the purchase of 100% of La Sexta’s share capital. On 14 March 2012 this concentration operation had been sent back to Spain by the European Commission for analysis by the CNC. According...

On 1 August 2012, an amendment to the Audiovisual Act 7/2010 was adopted by the Spanish parliament, introducing a new legal framework for regional public service broadcasters, which aims at allowing regional public service broadcasters greater flexibility in the provision of their audiovisual media services. It also modifies the regulation of protection of minors. According to this amendment, the Autonomous Communities may opt for direct or indirect management of their public service broadcasters through various models including public-private partnership. If an Autonomous Community chooses not...