Mediaset maintains that there have been no unnecessary distortions of competition because (i) discrimination is simply the result of Sky's business choices; (ii) terrestrial television carries local channels, whereas 80 % of local programmes are not carried by satellite TV because local channels' revenue is not sufficient to support the cost of transmission (satellite is not comparable to free-to-air broadcasting); and (iii) there is only market failure as regards DTT decoders and not satellite decoders. This is because satellite is based on a subscription fee system and can recoup the costs of providing decoders to its own customers a ...[+++]nd because Sky, as a monopolist, is not subject to the free riding problem.

In the information sector, conventional outlets (TV, radio, press) have been supplemented in the space of a few years by new digital broadcasting services (terrestrial, satellite, cable) and network services (Internet, multimedia), which considerably extend the range of choices available to the European public.

9. Points out that the digital system and the technological convergence allowed by broadband and multi-platform access means that the options and features offered by network services based on different technologies are increasingly alike, opening up more and more possibilities for democracy and the spread of ideas. In the space of a few years, television, radio and print media have been supplemented by new digital broadcasting services (terrestrial, satellite, cable) and network services (internet, multimedia), considerably extending ...[+++]the range of choices open to the European public. Efforts must therefore be made to continue promoting interoperability so as to allow the widest possible access by users to digital television;

7. Calls on the Commission to act to prevent the formation of vertical bottlenecks and horizontal monopolies; calls on the Member States to subsidise – in accordance with Community law – digital TV receivers (either set-top boxes or boxes integrated into TV sets) such as the Multimedia Home Platform system, with an open API (Application Program Interface) to prevent the development of bottlenecks; calls on the Member States to promote and develop interactive services in order to increase the level of digital expertise and the competitiveness of European society, and jointly to promote technical broadcasting measures with a view to filtering content t ...[+++]hat might impair the physical, mental or moral development of minors;

Beside the generalist public and private free-to-air channels (about 83 channels broadcasting a total of about 550 000 hours per year), a growing number of thematic channels are broadcast within the packages offered by pay-TV operators, either via satellite or cable networks as well as by digital terrestrial broadcasting.

Beside the generalist public and private free-to-air channels (about 83 channels broadcasting a total of about 550 000 hours per year), a growing number of thematic channels are broadcast within the packages offered by pay-TV operators, either via satellite or cable networks as well as by digital terrestrial broadcasting.