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The European Commission is set to investigate Italian measures, which in 2004 and 2005, provided grants, worth EUR 200 million, enabling consumers to buy or rent digital decoders which receive programmes in digital terrestrial technology. The subsidy is not technology-neutral because although it is also available for decoders using cable technology, it excludes decoders using satellite technology. Spurred on by two complaints emanating from terrestrial and satellite television operators, the Commission will look into the effects these incentives have on competition. In accordance with EC Treaty...

On 6 July 2005, the Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazioni (Communications Authority - AGCOM) decided the terms according to which RAI and RTI will have to choose the independent content providers that will benefit from the 40% quota of their DTT capacity until the complete implementation of the national digital frequency plan (see IRIS 2003-4: 9). This measure was adopted in order to implement one of the seven remedies that were decided after the conclusion of the first analysis on the Italian broadcasting and advertising markets according to the new Broadcasting Act no. 112/2004 (see IRIS...

On 28 July 2005, the Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazioni (Communications Authority - AGCOM) decided to amend once again the regulation on commercial advertising, in particular the provision concerning the insertion of advertising during the broadcasting of soccer games. This issue has been regulated several times during the past years due to an infringement procedure of the European Commissionin relation to Article 11, paragraph 2, of the Television Without Frontiers Directive. Originally, Regulation no. 538/01/CSP (see IRIS 2001-9: 11) stated thatduring the transmission of sports events,...

On 31 July 2005, the Italian Government adopted a Code collecting and rationalising all existing provisions in the radio and television broadcasting sector on the basis of a specific delegation by Parliament contained in the so-called Gasparri law (see IRIS 2004-6: 12) which is still in force. The Code was adopted by a decreto legislativo (legislative decree) and has the same force as an ordinary law, with the possibility of directly amending existing legislation. The Code is divided into ten sections and is intended to replace the former regulatory regime of the sector. It does not apply to print...

On 8 March 2005 the Autorità per le garanzie nelle comunicazioni (Italian Communications Authority - AGCOM) amended the Regulation on advertising (see IRIS 2001-9: 11) introducing new provisions on teleshopping. All products/services on sale must be accurately described and the price must be exactly explained according to the distance marketing directive. Astrology services, games, lotteries, etc… charging fee additional to the ordinary cost of phone calls cannot be marketed via teleshopping. Any spot or telepromotion requiring a phone call charging an additional fee must clearly inform the viewers...