Published today, on 29 November 2024, the European Commission rejected a complaint submitted by Sanoma Media Finland Oy against the Finnish public service broadcaster Yleisradio Oy (YLE). The EBU welcomes this decision, which confirms that public service media content should be accessible anywhere, any time and across platforms.

Alexandre Fall, Senior Competition Counsel, EBU, said: “The European Commission’s decision highlights the importance of the EU principle of technological and platform neutrality for public service media. Public broadcasters must adapt to the digital era while staying true to their mission to inform educate and entertain the entire public, in this example, ensuring that YLE can continue serving Finnish society effectively.”

Sanoma Media Finland’s 2021 complaint alleged that YLE’s video-on-demand (VOD) and online learning services constituted unlawful state aid. The Commission considered ruled these services align with PSM’s missions and do not constitute new aid. This aligns with EU case law and Commission practice, confirming Member States’ discretion to define public service media missions in response to societal and technological changes. 

YLE offers online services including audiovisual (both linear and on demand), audio, text, and multimedia content. These services are crucial to remain relevant in the digital age, especially since on-demand content dominates daily viewing time among internet users aged 18-64.

The Commission’s Broadcasting Communication underscores the special role of public service media in a digital landscape, stating public service media “should be able to use the opportunities offered by digitisation and the diversification of distribution platforms on a technology-neutral basis, to the benefit of society.” This enables public service media to connect with younger audiences where they are most active.

The YLE decision follows a similar win in 2021, when the Commission rejected a complaint against Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT, affirming its online news services as legitimate and existing aid. These rulings provide strong legal backing for public service media’s evolution to meet audience needs. This decision also aligns with the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA) which also addresses the European media markets in a platform and technology neutral way.

The EBU remains committed to supporting our public service media Members to foster informed, connected societies.