The discontinuance of broadcasting of television services by terrestrial radio link in analogue mode is scheduled for 30 November 2011 at the latest.

“electronic communications network” means transmission systems and, where applicable, switching or routing equipment and other resources, including network elements which are not active, which permit the conveyance of signals by wire, radio, optical or other electromagnetic means, including satellite networks, fixed (circuit- and packet-switched, including Internet) and mobile terrestrial networks, electricity cable systems, to the extent that they are used for the purpose of transmitting signals, networks used for radio and television broadcasting, and cable television networks, irrespective of the type of information conveyed; ’.

Finally, they take the view that the direct financial assistance increases the advantage of broadcasters transmitting over the terrestrial platform which they already enjoy in light of the must carry rules set out in Article 16 paragraph (2) of the Media Law of North Rhine-Westphalia (Landesmediengesetz Nordrhein-Westfalen), which obliges cable network operators to transmit on their network those programmes which have received a terrestrial broadcasting licence from LfM.

The Directive establishes a harmonised framework for the regulation of electronic communications networks, i.e. transmission systems which permit the conveyance of signals by wire, by radio, by optical or by other electromagnetic means, including satellite networks, fixed and mobile terrestrial networks, electricity cable systems, networks used for radio and television broadcasting and cable television networks, irrespective of the type of information conveyed.

(a) "electronic communications network" means transmission systems and, where applicable, switching or routing equipment and other resources which permit the conveyance of signals by wire, by radio, by optical or by other electromagnetic means, including satellite networks, fixed (circuit- and packet-switched, including Internet) and mobile terrestrial networks, electricity cable systems, to the extent that they are used for the purpose of transmitting signals, networks used for radio and television broadcasting, and cable television networks, irrespective of the type of information conveyed.

These were the terrestrial channels Italia Uno (41.25%), Tele + Nero (34.77%), Tele + Bianco (38.67%), TMC/ La 7 (43.86%) and the satellite channels Coming Soon Television (8.5%), Disney Channel (20%), Cineclassics (47%), Stream verde (0%), Tele + Grigio (48.82%), Tele + 16/9 (46.13%), Tele + Nero (34.77%), Palco (45.91%) and Tele + Bianco (38.67%).