July 13, 2012
The General Court of the European Union confirms €450 million subsidy for France Télévisions is compatible with State aid rules.
On July 10, the General Court of the European Union dismissed a challenge to a European Commission decision, authorizing the French State to grant a €450 million subsidy to France Télévisions, the State-owned broadcaster. The case was brought by three privately owned French broadcasters -- TF1, M6 and Canal+. The grant, which enabled France Télévisions to meet the costs of its public service obligations for the year 2009, followed financing reforms for the public broadcaster. These reforms provided for a partial withdrawal of advertising, resulting in a significant drop in advertising revenues for France Télévisions. The matter was handled by partner Jacques-Philippe Gunther and associates Adrien Giraud and Dounia Ababou.